Group Data Science Manager

The Role

The Data Science Manager in Marketing Applied Sciences, Activation Science, will lead a talented team of data scientists in the design, development, and implementation of statistical and AI/ML solutions to drive impact in marketing optimization. The ideal candidate will be an expert in experiment design and measurement, statistics, and machine learning modeling. They will also bring proven leadership skills to inspire innovation and excellence across the team. In addition to being able to coach and mentor the team, this role also requires strong business acumen, business consulting skills, strategic thinking, and planning capabilities. As a leader with a strong technical background, you will lead a team of hands-on data science practitioners focused on innovative experiment design and measurement for all kinds of business scenarios. You have balance - you can strike the right chord of technical mastery, leadership, and coaching, humbly elevating and advocating for your team—while also demonstrating storytelling, influence, and strategic focus with peers and leaders of supporting functions, enabling them to achieve business goals and efficiency. 

EXPECTATIONS:

• A leader of a team with members who possess diverse skill sets and have similar overall objectives. Typically leads other individual contributors and at times leads other people leaders. 

EXPERTISE 

• Has advanced knowledge and broad experience in the areas led, with the ability to identify and leverage experts in different specialized fields. 
• Often owns a distinct business area within the function. Serves as a resource to their team for technical expertise, interaction with other teams and departments, and company policies and processes. Guides direct reports and their teams on scoping out complex problems and developing creative and innovative solutions to the issues. 
• Drives change and develops new policies and processes in support of functional and company strategies. 
• Exercises independent judgement and influence on key technical decisions within their area(s). Develops operational plans and establishes objectives for the team, allocates resources and delegates assignments.  

COMPLEXITY 

• Translates strategies into clear direction for their team. Reprioritizing and reallocating resources as appropriate based on changing business needs. Offers direction to subordinates in accordance with established company policies. 
• Enforces company policies that directly impact subordinate employees. Resolves competing demands, sensitive situations, and conflicts within their organization and/or with other teams. 
• Develops plans for people resources and ensures that team members are continuing to grow their skills and competencies. Has continued career discussions with their team and knows where to allocate resources based on unique strengths of everyone on the team. 
• Regularly engages with subordinate supervisors, customers, and/or professionals in the same functional peer group to address issues spanning multiple sections and units. Demonstrates effective communication skills in conveying results and recommendations across different disciplines. 
• Expertly adapts communication style and uses persuasion - and occasionally negotiation - to convince others to accept new ideas, approaches, concepts, or practices. Navigates situations where differing opinions, past practices, or experiences may significantly hinder agreement. 

SCOPE AND IMPACT 

• Drives strategy and implementation of large projects impacting multiple departments. 
• Is accountable for workforce planning, operational and often financial decisions in the area managed. 
• Sets objectives and owns the delivery of metrics and Key Performance Indicators that have direct impact on the achievement of the results in the job area, have measurable contribution into functional results and align with the GM strategic priorities. 
• Champions change management and role models GM’s behaviors necessary to maintain a productive team without inhibiting individuality and personal diversity. Influences others within and/or outside the organization that are skeptical or unwilling to accept new concepts, practices, and approaches. 
• Builds a team with the optimal mix of talent and experience. Makes internal and external staffing decisions, supports, and guides individual development of direct reports and their teams, drives performance.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and manage a team of data scientists, providing guidance, coaching, and mentorship to ensure successful project delivery and professional growth. 
• Lead and oversee the design and execution of experiment design and measurement solutions from ideation to implementation, ensuring they meet quality, scope, and timeline objectives. 
• Collaborate across the Marketing Applied Sciences team, along with business stakeholders, to identify, frame, develop, and execute high-impact experiments and broader data science projects successfully. 
• Stay up to date on industry trends and advancements in data science and AI/ML to drive innovation within the team. 
• Foster a culture of collaboration, experimentation, continuous learning, and knowledge sharing within the data science team and broader community. 
• Manage and allocate team resources effectively to support project needs and team growth. 

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• 7+ years of experience in Data Science. 
• 2+ years of experience leading teams responsible for experiment design, measurement, and marketing modeling (such as net lift modeling, etc.). 
• Degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or another quantitative field; an advanced degree is preferred. 
• Strong expertise in statistics, machine learning, and/or deep learning techniques, including one or more of the following analytical methodologies: net lift modeling, propensity modeling, pricing, forecasting. 
• Proficiency in Python, PySpark, and SQL. 
• Prior experience with cloud platforms such as Databricks, Azure, or AWS. 
• Experience with data visualization tools and techniques. 
• Proven track record of managing data science projects from concept to implementation, delivering impactful business outcomes. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders. 
• Strong business consulting skills; ability to evaluate the big picture and solve strategic business problems. 
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, develop, and evaluate high-performing talent.