Director, Machine Learning Science (Marketing)

TL;DR

Director, Machine Learning Science (Marketing): Leading the applied science team to build models and optimization systems for marketing capital allocation and advertising bidding with an accent on production-grade ML at scale. Focus on driving business impact through advanced experimentation, causal inference, and strategic leadership of cross-functional data science initiatives.

Location: Must be based in Seattle, WA (USA)

Salary: $224,000–$313,500

Company

A global travel technology company powering consumer brands like Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo, alongside a B2B travel network.

What you will do

• Own the strategy, roadmap, and OKRs for machine learning systems powering marketing programs.
• Design and deliver production-grade ML models to optimize bidding, capital allocation, and ROAS.
• Apply rigorous experimentation, A/B testing, and causal inference to validate business impact.
• Recruit, develop, and retain high-performing applied machine learning scientists and managers.
• Partner with Product, Engineering, Finance, and Analytics leadership to align priorities.
• Influence the data platform and ML technology stack to ensure reliable, scalable releases.

Requirements

• Graduate degree in machine learning, computer science, statistics, or related field (PhD preferred).
• 10+ years of professional experience with 5+ years in people management.
• Proven track record of delivering high-impact ML products from concept to production at scale.
• Deep expertise in supervised/unsupervised learning, statistics, and experimentation.
• Strong command of ML development lifecycle and MLOps (CI/CD, testing, observability).
• Must be authorized to work in the United States (E-Verify participant).

Nice to have

• Domain experience in bidding, pricing, elasticity modeling, or recommendation systems.
• Exposure to deep learning, LLMs, and reinforcement learning.
• Proficiency in Python, Java, or Scala, and SQL.
• Hands-on experience with Spark, Databricks, and Kubernetes.

Culture & Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Wellness and travel reimbursement programs.
• Travel discounts and IATAN membership.
• Supportive environment focused on ownership, excellence, and collaboration.
• Commitment to an inclusive and diverse workplace.