Sr. Director, Data Science

Job Summary

As the Senior Director of Data Science at GoTo Foods, you will lead a high-performing team of data scientists, overseeing critical data science initiatives that directly impact business growth and customer engagement. You will drive advanced analytics and machine learning models to optimize decision-making processes, enhance customer experiences, and increase profitability. This role will focus on key areas such as recommendation engines, personalized offers for loyalty members, and attribution models across our diverse brands.

You will collaborate closely with senior leadership, product teams, and marketing to deliver data-driven solutions and ensure strategic goals are met with a deep understanding of both data science and the QSR industry.

Essential Functions

• Team Leadership & Management:
• Lead and mentor a growing team of data scientists, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Provide strategic direction and hands-on leadership for the data science team, ensuring alignment with business objectives and project timelines.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, offer professional development opportunities, and support the team's career growth.
• Strategic Data Science Leadership:
• Develop and oversee the execution of data science initiatives, with a focus on recommendation algorithms, personalized offers for loyalty members, and advanced attribution models.
• Collaborate with marketing, product, and operations teams to design and implement data-driven solutions that drive customer engagement, increase sales, and optimize operational efficiency.
• Drive improvements in the understanding and use of customer data, ensuring personalized experiences for customers and measurable improvements in loyalty program performance.
• Recommendation Systems:
• Oversee the development and optimization of recommendation engines to drive personalized menu suggestions and promotional offers based on customer preferences, behavior, and purchasing patterns.
• Continuously refine models to improve accuracy, relevance, and user experience.
• Loyalty & Offers:
• Develop predictive models to target loyalty members with tailored offers and promotions that enhance customer retention and lifetime value.
• Use data analytics to assess the effectiveness of loyalty programs and recommend actionable improvements.
• Attribution & Measurement:
• Design and implement robust attribution models that analyze the impact of various marketing channels, promotions, and customer touchpoints on business outcomes.
• Collaborate with marketing and finance teams to ensure accurate measurement of ROI on promotional spend and customer acquisition strategies.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
• Partner with IT and data teams to ensure that data science solutions are fully integrated with the company’s data infrastructure.
• Partner with consumer insights, analytics and revenue management to ensure appropriate predictive algorithms are deployed throughout the organization.
• Present findings and actionable insights to executives, helping inform high-level business decisions.
• Innovation & Industry Leadership:
• Stay at the forefront of advancements in data science, machine learning, and AI, ensuring that the company remains competitive with cutting-edge technologies.
• Drive experimentation and the use of A/B testing to validate hypotheses and improve product offerings.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in business analytics, statistics, operations research, applied mathematics, computer science, engineering, or related field, required.
• Master’s or Ph.D. in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, or a related field, preferred.
  
  

Work Experience

• 10 years of experience in data science, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership or senior management role, preferably in a fast-paced, consumer-facing industry such as QSR, retail, or e-commerce.
• Proven track record of leading data science teams and delivering successful data-driven solutions.
• Strong background in recommendation systems, machine learning models, and marketing analytics.
• Experience with loyalty programs and customer segmentation is a plus.
• Expertise in attribution modeling and multi-channel performance measurement.
  
  

Skills

• Expertise in machine learning algorithms, statistical modeling, and predictive analytics.
• Strong proficiency in data science tools and programming languages (e.g., Python, R, SQL, Spark).
• Familiarity with big data technologies and platforms (e.g., AWS, Hadoop, Databricks).
• Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present complex data insights to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks effectively.
• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and a deep understanding of how data science can drive business results in a QSR environment.
• Highly collaborative with a proven ability to work cross-functionally with senior leadership, product teams, and marketing.
• Results-driven, with the ability to translate data insights into actionable strategies.
• Passionate about creating a data-driven culture that empowers teams to make informed decisions.
  
  

CertificationsTravel Requirement

• None