Tushar Bajaj

AI Professional & MBA Candidate

| LinkedIn

About

Highly accomplished AI and Data leader with over a decade of experience across Fintech, Financial Services, and Impact, currently pursuing an MBA at University of Oxford. Proven expertise in leveraging AI/ML to drive significant business outcomes, and building and leading high-performing cross-functional teams, optimizing operations, and shaping data-driven strategies for market expansion and innovation.

Work Experience

Senior Manager, Data Science (Promoted from Manager and Assistant Manager)

Edelweiss Financial Services

May 2021 - Sep 2024

Mumbai, Maharashtra, IN

As Senior Manager of Data Science, Tushar led a 23-member team to deploy advanced ML models that significantly reduced portfolio losses and optimized tech stack spend for a leading financial services firm.

  • Spearheaded a 23-member cross-functional team to deploy Machine Learning Credit Decision Models, leveraging 2000+ variables to reduce annual portfolio losses by 70%.
  • Shaped regional go-to-market strategy by identifying underserved customer clusters, using economic indicators to drive a 15% increase in potential customer base.
  • Managed negotiations with 30+ SaaS, data, and cloud vendors, optimizing tech stack decisions to achieve a 25% reduction in team spend.
  • Engineered and deployed an LLM-based chatbot, utilizing a RAG approach on 300+ policy documents, to deliver instant search results and ensure consistent policy interpretation for internal stakeholders.
  • Collaborated with HR to establish a high-performing 15-member Data and AI team from the ground up, screening over 600 candidates across multiple technical roles.

Lead, Data and Automation (Promoted from Data Scientist)

Happy, Fintech Startup

Jun 2019 - May 2021

Mumbai, Maharashtra, IN

As Lead, Data and Automation, Tushar drove critical fintech product launches and operational efficiencies, leveraging AI/ML to enhance customer experience and secure significant funding for a rapidly growing startup.

  • Launched a simplified customer application journey for a COVID-response loan and insurance product, in partnership with cross-functional stakeholders, supporting 100K distressed micro-entrepreneurs.
  • Championed and secured ad-hoc budget for digitizing customer verification using computer vision models, reducing customer dropout rates by 40% and saving 15 hours of labor weekly.
  • Liaised with the Product team to deploy a Recommendation Model for next-best financial products, increasing customer retention by 33%.
  • Assisted the investor relations team in presenting investment decks to multiple investors, contributing to securing $25M in funding within a 3-month deadline.

Senior Analyst (Promoted from Analyst)

Goldman Sachs

Jul 2015 - Apr 2016

Bengaluru, Karnataka, IN

As Senior Analyst, Tushar collaborated globally to ensure precise trade bookings and documentation for exotic derivatives, proactively averting substantial monthly losses for a leading global investment bank.

  • Collaborated with traders and structurers across London, New York, and Hong Kong desks to ensure precise trade bookings and documentation for exotic derivatives transactions, averting average losses of $1.5M monthly.

Fellow

Teach For India

Jun 2013 - Apr 2015

Pune, Maharashtra, IN

As a Fellow, Tushar dedicated two years to significantly improving the academic competencies of 55 underprivileged 7th-grade students through comprehensive educational strategies.

  • Steered the academic development of 55 underprivileged 7th-grade students, improving their competencies from 2nd to 8th grade levels within two years through blended teaching, mentorship, and rigorous progress tracking.

Education

Business Administration

University of Oxford

Sep 2024 - Sep 2025

Oxford, England, UK

Engineering Physics and Electronics

Delhi Technological University

Aug 2009 - Apr 2013

New Delhi, Delhi, IN

Projects

Oxford AI Society Entrepreneurship Hub Initiatives

Sep 2024 - Sep 2025

As Lead of Oxford AI Society's Entrepreneurship hub, organized various initiatives to foster innovation and support the startup ecosystem.

AI Engineering Hackathon (UCL, London)

Jan 2021 - Jan 2021

Participated in and achieved a notable ranking in an AI engineering hackathon, demonstrating advanced technical skills.

Skills

AI & Machine Learning

  • Machine Learning
  • Deep Learning
  • Natural Language Processing (NLP)
  • Computer Vision
  • Recommendation Systems
  • RAG Approach
  • AI Engineering
  • Voice AI
  • Predictive Modeling
  • Credit Decision Models

Data Science & Analytics

  • Data Analysis
  • Data Strategy
  • Data Automation
  • Statistical Modeling
  • Business Intelligence
  • Customer Analytics
  • Market Segmentation
  • Quantitative Analysis

Leadership & Management

  • Team Leadership
  • Cross-functional Team Management
  • Strategic Planning
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Talent Acquisition
  • Mentorship
  • Project Management
  • Vendor Management
  • Budget Optimization
  • Team Building

Business & Finance

  • Fintech
  • Financial Services
  • Risk Management
  • Go-to-Market Strategy
  • Business Development
  • Fundraising
  • Investment Relations
  • Derivatives Trading
  • Cost Efficiency

Technical Skills

  • Python
  • SQL
  • LLMs
  • Cloud Platforms
  • Data Engineering
  • System Architecture

Entrepreneurship & Innovation

  • Startup Ecosystem
  • Founder-matching
  • AI Workshops
  • Speaker Series
  • Hackathon Participation
  • Product Innovation
  • Problem Solving
  • Community Leadership

Interests

Sports & Fitness

  • Racquet Sports
  • Pickleball
  • Fitness Promotion