Director, Data Science

McLean, VA

***This role is based in our McLean, VA corporate office***

In Commercial Strategy, Insights, and Analytics, we are internal consultants to key functions across the business, including Hilton’s Customer, Brands, Marketing, Digital, Revenue, and Sales organizations, with specialized support for the executive leadership team. The team consists of both embedded authorities who serve as strategic advisors to key partners and technical specialists who are proficient in advanced analytics techniques and tools. The team is integrated with the business functions to ensure close partnership and to optimally measure and drive company performance.

What will I be doing?

The Data Science Team serves as internal advanced analytics consultants to key functions across Hilton’s business, bringing predictive and prescriptive analytics through Data Science, Machine Learning (ML), and Artificial Intelligence (AI). You will be an ambassador bringing the values of big data to fruition and serving as the main resource for building sophisticated analytics models for Hilton’s groundbreaking data science initiatives!

As a Director of Data Science, you will be an ambassador to the organization on how data science, through the power of data and analytics, can increase our operation efficiencies, improve customer experience, and drive revenue growth. You will be leading a team of data scientists, analysts, and developers/engineers to create and deliver data-driven strategies and solutions that deliver measurable business value.

More specifically, you will:

Collaborate with business and technical teams to collect, analyze enhance and understand business requirements, translating activities and business goals into researching, selecting, and building data science strategy, models, and algorithms.
Partner with other functional teams to access data elements, understand the data being analyzed and find opportunities for data-driven solutions and provide insights and recommendations to business leaders.
Provide strategic and technical advice to other team members and senior management, and lead model development of data science projects.
Work closely with multi-functional teams, including product, engineering, and marketing teams to design and implement predictive models and machine learning algorithms that support business goals.
Proactively build and maintain internal and external key relationships with data science business, technology, and engineering partners.
Lead and influence sound data science applications based on insights, results, and information derived from data, industry trends, and research findings.
Improve the development and delivery of data science solutions in support of Hilton business initiatives that drive short and long-term data science capabilities.

What are we looking for?

We seek problem-solvers who are passionate about data science and strive for opportunities to build or improve data science algorithms and models. We believe the success in this role will demonstrate itself through the following attributes and skills:

Self-starter, well-organized, accountable, and a confident teammate willing to take ownership of responsibilities with a high level of positive energy and drive.
Bold leader who has a real passion for delivering a highly positive customer experience.
A dedicated work demeanor that exhibits flexibility, drive, and dependability.
A high level of accountability and commitment to solving problems through critical thinking.
Superb communication and leadership skills, with a track record of effectively coaching and mentoring a team of data scientists and analysts, fostering a culture of innovation, learning, and collaboration.

To fulfill this role successfully, you should demonstrate the following minimum qualifications:

Eight (8) years of demonstrated experience in data science and/or analytics functions, delivering business value through data-driven insights and solutions.
Two (2) years of leadership experience
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience working with large datasets and statistical modeling techniques.
Experience managing large datasets, diving into data to discover patterns, using data visualization tools, and creating robust models.
Technical knowledge of large-scale data science applications, building high-volume data pipelines, application architecture, API framework, data science pipeline, and tooling.

It would be useful in this position for you to demonstrate the following capabilities and distinctions:

Master or Ph.D. degree in Data Science, Statistics, Operations Research, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering, or similar
Understanding of the hospitality industry and related data sets, such as customer reviews, loyalty programs, and revenue management.
Knowledge of theory and practice of forecasting and pricing models, including statistical methods, time series models, neural networks, and optimization algorithms.
Demonstrate knowledge of optimization solvers (Gurobi, CPLEX, or similar) to model optimization problems in practice.
Presentations or publications in top research journals or conferences.
Experience with machine learning algorithms and frameworks such as Python, R, or TensorFlow.
Experience with data visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI.
Experience working on cloud data platforms and cloud service providers related ecosystems such as Apache Spark, Amazon Sagemaker, or similar frameworks.

What is it like working for Hilton?

The future of hospitality is bright at Hilton: a leading global hospitality company with a diverse portfolio of world-class brands. Dedicated to filling the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, we have welcomed more than 3 billion guests in our more than 100-year history. Hilton is proud to have an award-winning workplace culture, and we are consistently named among one of the World’s Best Workplaces.

We support the mental and physical wellbeing of all Team Members, so they can Thrive, thanks to innovative programs and benefits such as workplace flexibility, career growth and development, and our Go Hilton travel discount program. Hilton prioritizes understanding and integrating our Team Members’ unique perspectives and voices—along with those of our Guests, Owners, Suppliers, and Partners—to cultivate a diverse and inclusive environment for all. Check out the Hilton Careers blogand Instagram to learn more about what it’s like to be on Team Hilton!

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We will ensure that qualified individuals with protected disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions of their role, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.