Principal Data Scientist

Job description

As the world's largest research organization, NielsenIQ is powered by talented creative scientists. Our Data Scientist associates come from diverse disciplines such as statistics, research methodology, mathematics, psychology, business, engineering, physics, and demography. These professionals drive innovation, new product ideation, develop complex analysis, and deliver data insights to measure what consumers buy. This role sits within a high‑expectation, high‑visibility environment, where strong statistical rigor, senior Data Science ownership, and confident client interaction are critical to success. Job Description What You’ll Do • Own Data Science end‑to‑end for a specific market or industry across new and established products, including analytical design, methodology decisions, and solution validation. • Act as a senior Data Science business partner to Managing Directors, Commercial, Product, and Technology leaders, supporting country‑level revenue, EBITDA, and strategic objectives. • Engage directly with external clients in high‑pressure situations, translating complex and often ambiguous business problems into robust analytical strategies, and confidently defending statistical approaches and outcomes. • Support Client and Commercial teams with advanced Data Science and methodological guidance (this role goes beyond basic statistical support). • Play a leading role in the application of data and analytics strategies, ensuring solutions are analytically sound, scalable, and business‑relevant. • Innovate and design out‑of‑the‑box solutions by leveraging large, complex datasets and state‑of‑the‑art statistical and Data Science methodologies. • Collaborate closely with in‑house Data Science teams, raising analytical standards, guiding problem‑solving approaches, and aligning on priorities. • Enable Data Science technology solutions on the ground and ensure output meet both client expectations and internal quality standards. • Work closely with Product Enhancement, Product, and Technology teams to bring analytical solutions to market, from concept through deployment. Experience • Degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, or a related quantitative field involving deep statistical analysis of large datasets. • 7+ years of hands‑on experience in market research, consumer analytics, or a relevant Data Science field (strong preference for candidates operating beyond junior or execution‑only roles). • Demonstrated ability to independently own complex analytical problems, including methodology selection, statistical reasoning, and interpretation. • Solid understanding of the CPG/FMCG industry and retail market dynamics, and how analytics drives measurable client impact. • Proven experience working in client‑facing, high‑pressure environments, handling challenging questions, escalations, and tight timelines. • Strong statistical and logical skills, with experience in sampling, bias reduction, indirect estimation, statistical modeling or data aggregation techniques. Qualifications • Passionate about innovation and Data Science technology, with strong statistical depth rather than surface‑level knowledge. • Proficiency in manipulating, analyzing, and interpreting large data sets. • Experienced in proactive stakeholder and client engagement, confidently linking advanced analytics to business outcomes. • Innovative mindset with the ability to design solutions, not just execute predefined analyses. • Strong ability to explain complex statistical concepts clearly to non‑experts, including senior clients. • Excellent problem‑solving, deductive reasoning, and analytical thinking skills. • Strong collaboration and communication skills across Data Science, Commercial, Product, and Technology teams. • Ability to prioritize, make decisions, and manage multiple assignments in a fast‑paced, high‑pressure environment. • Demonstrated leadership maturity, ownership mindset, and accountability. • Strong business acumen, consultative skills, and empathy for client needs. • Excellent written and spoken English. • Eager to continuously learn and adapt to evolving methodologies, technologies, and tools. Our Benefits • Flexible working environment • Volunteer time off • LinkedIn Learning • Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP) NIQ may utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools at various stages of the recruitment process, including résumé screening, candidate assessments, interview scheduling, job matching, communication support, and certain administrative tasks that help streamline workflows. These tools are intended to improve efficiency and support fair and consistent evaluation based on job-related criteria. All use of AI is governed by NIQ’s principles of fairness, transparency, human oversight, and inclusion. Final hiring decisions are made exclusively by humans. NIQ regularly reviews its AI tools to help mitigate bias and ensure compliance with applica