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Data Scientist – Gulf - Job Opportunity at MetLife

Dubai, AE
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: July 3, 2025
Hybrid
Based on the mid-level experience requirement, Dubai location, and MetLife's global positioning, the salary range likely falls between USD 85,000 - 120,000 annually, with additional benefits including housing allowance, health insurance, and potential equity participation typical for multinational corporations in the UAE market.

Benefits

Hybrid work arrangement providing flexibility to balance office collaboration with remote productivity, enhancing work-life integration while maintaining team connectivity
Comprehensive relocation assistance package demonstrating company investment in talent acquisition and employee transition support, including potential housing, visa, and moving expense coverage
Opportunity to join a founding team in Gulf region, offering significant career development potential and the ability to shape organizational data science culture from inception
Access to cutting-edge AI and advanced analytics platforms, providing exposure to industry-leading technologies and continuous learning opportunities
International exposure through MetLife's global operations in over 40 markets, enabling cross-cultural collaboration and diverse business experience

Key Responsibilities

Drive strategic conception, planning, and prioritization of enterprise-level data science initiatives that directly impact MetLife's Gulf region transformation into a data-first organization
Architect and deploy sophisticated analytic systems and predictive models while pioneering experimental techniques that advance the company's competitive edge in insurance and financial services
Collaborate with senior leadership to establish data science strategic direction and roadmap, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and maximizing ROI on analytics investments
Lead cross-functional partnership with Data Consumption Unit to deliver comprehensive business intelligence solutions, including designing Power BI scripts, custom visualizations, and advanced DAX calculations that drive executive decision-making
Orchestrate end-to-end deployment of scalable solutions across the entire data stack, from backend pipelines to frontend dashboards, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance
Mentor and develop team members while directly engaging with C-level stakeholders to translate complex technical solutions into actionable business insights
Spearhead data mining and collection procedures while designing robust ML and generative AI pipelines that scale across MetLife's global ecosystem

Requirements

Education

Masters is preferred but bachelor's degree in quantitative field like Computer Science, Data Engineering, Mathematics, or related field

Experience

3+ years in a similar role with hands on experience solving complex Machine Learning and Deep Learning problems

Required Skills

Experience building predictive modeling in the insurance industry (Pricing, Claims, Sales, etc.) Proficiency in database administration Python/R programming with experience in building data pipelines Microsoft Azure experience is a plus Expertise in natural language processing, machine learning, conceptual modeling, statistical analysis, predictive modeling, and hypothesis testing Skilled in using dashboard and visualization tools like Power BI and Alteryx Effective communication: be able to connect with the team and convey information clearly Storytelling: strong data visualization skills and the ability to explain technical solutions simply to a non-technical audience Business Acumen: the candidate must possess a strong business mindset, demonstrating the ability to swiftly identify risks and opportunities, as well as generate innovative solutions to business challenges
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The insurance industry is undergoing massive digital transformation with AI and machine learning becoming critical differentiators for risk assessment, customer experience personalization, and operational efficiency. Companies like MetLife are investing heavily in data science capabilities to maintain competitive advantage in an increasingly commoditized market. Financial services organizations are prioritizing regional data science expertise to navigate local regulatory requirements and cultural nuances, particularly in the Gulf region where Islamic finance principles and rapid economic diversification create unique analytical challenges and opportunities. The convergence of traditional insurance with insurtech innovations is driving demand for data scientists who can bridge actuarial science with modern AI/ML techniques, creating hybrid roles that combine domain expertise with cutting-edge technology implementation.

Role Significance

The role involves leading a small but growing analytics team (likely 3-5 direct reports) while collaborating with broader cross-functional teams including data engineers, software developers, and business stakeholders across multiple business units.
This is a high-impact mid-level role with significant strategic influence, evidenced by direct reporting to Head of Data Analytics and responsibility for shaping organizational data science culture. The position carries substantial decision-making authority and cross-functional leadership responsibilities typically associated with senior individual contributor roles.

Key Projects

Development of AI-powered risk assessment models for insurance underwriting and claims processing Implementation of customer lifetime value prediction systems to optimize marketing spend and retention strategies Creation of real-time fraud detection algorithms leveraging machine learning and behavioral analytics Design of personalized product recommendation engines to enhance customer experience and cross-selling effectiveness

Success Factors

Deep understanding of insurance industry dynamics combined with technical expertise in modern ML/AI techniques will be crucial for translating business requirements into effective analytical solutions Strong stakeholder management and communication skills are essential given the role's responsibility for educating and influencing senior leadership while building data science capabilities across the organization Cultural adaptability and regional market knowledge will be critical for success in the Gulf region, where business practices and regulatory environments differ significantly from Western markets Proven ability to scale analytics solutions and build robust data infrastructure will determine long-term impact and career advancement within MetLife's global organization

Market Demand

High demand driven by digital transformation initiatives across financial services, limited supply of data scientists with insurance domain expertise in the Gulf region, and increasing regulatory emphasis on data-driven decision making in financial services.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Insurance domain expertise is absolutely essential as it enables the translation of complex actuarial concepts into modern ML frameworks, distinguishing candidates who can immediately contribute to business outcomes versus those requiring extensive training in financial services fundamentals Python/R programming proficiency with data pipeline experience forms the technical foundation for all analytical work, enabling the development of scalable solutions that can handle MetLife's massive data volumes and complex regulatory requirements Business acumen and stakeholder communication skills are crucial for success given the role's responsibility for educating senior leadership and driving organizational change, requiring the ability to translate technical concepts into business value propositions

Beneficial Skills

Microsoft Azure expertise provides significant advantage given MetLife's cloud infrastructure investments and the growing importance of cloud-native analytics solutions in enterprise environments Natural language processing capabilities are increasingly valuable as insurance companies seek to extract insights from unstructured data sources including customer communications, claims documentation, and regulatory filings Power BI and advanced visualization skills enable effective communication of complex analytical findings to diverse stakeholders, supporting data-driven decision making across the organization

Unique Aspects

Opportunity to establish data science practices from the ground up in a high-growth regional market with significant autonomy and strategic influence
Direct exposure to Islamic finance principles and Sharia-compliant product development, providing unique industry expertise valuable across global financial services
Access to MetLife's global data assets and advanced analytics platforms while working in a startup-like environment within a Fortune 500 company
Combination of traditional insurance expertise with cutting-edge AI/ML implementation in a culturally diverse, rapidly evolving market

Career Growth

Career progression to senior leadership roles typically achievable within 3-5 years given the strategic nature of the role and MetLife's global growth trajectory, with intermediate advancement opportunities available within 18-24 months.

Potential Next Roles

Head of Data Analytics for larger regions or global business units within MetLife Chief Data Officer or VP of Analytics roles at regional financial services companies Senior Data Science Manager positions at major consulting firms serving financial services clients Principal Data Scientist roles at leading insurtech companies or fintech organizations

Company Overview

MetLife

MetLife stands as one of the world's largest insurance and financial services companies, serving over 100 million customers globally with operations spanning more than 40 markets. The company has been recognized on Fortune's 'World's Most Admired Companies' list and maintains leading market positions across the United States, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

MetLife holds a dominant position in the global insurance market with strong financial stability ratings and significant market share in key regions. The company's focus on digital transformation and AI integration positions it favorably against both traditional competitors and emerging insurtech challengers.
MetLife's Gulf operations represent a strategic growth initiative in one of the world's most dynamic financial services markets, with Dubai serving as the regional headquarters for Middle East and North Africa operations. The company's investment in local data science capabilities reflects its commitment to long-term market expansion and regulatory compliance.
MetLife promotes a purpose-driven culture emphasizing innovation, customer-centricity, and operational excellence. The company's 'Always with you, building a more confident future' mission creates an environment focused on meaningful impact and professional development, with strong emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and employee empowerment.
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