Data Science Manager - Advertising

Skyscanner; London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading travel technology company is seeking a Data Science Manager to lead a team responsible for innovative advertising solutions. The role demands strong technical leadership, strategic insight into business dynamics, and proficiency in Python. You will collaborate with multiple teams to enhance advertising platforms and drive data-driven decision-making. Ideal candidates will have prior experience leading data science initiatives and a passion for impactful solutions.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading high-performing data science teams.
• Strong understanding of business levers in AdTech and analytics.
• Proficient in Python and familiar with experimentation frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a team of data scientists.
• Own the delivery of applied data science projects.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to shape the advertising roadmap.

Skills

Leadership

Machine Learning

Python

Communication

Data Analysis

Tools

Spark

Airflow

GCP

AWS

Job description

Now, we're on the lookout for a Data Science Manager to lead the team shaping the future of data-powered advertising at Skyscanner - helping our partners reach millions of travellers through smarter targeting, better insights, and more effective campaigns!
About the role

Hybrid

This is a high-impact leadership role at the heart of one of Skyscanner's core revenue streams. You'll lead a cross-functional team focused on building innovative, data-driven advertising products - using experimentation, machine learning and analytics to improve how our partners engage with travellers.

From targeting and relevance to forecasting and performance optimisation, your work will combine technical depth, business acumen and people leadership. You'll partner closely with Product, Engineering, Commercial and Marketing to evolve our advertising platform and unlock new value for both partners and travellers.
What you'll be doing

• Leading and growing a team of data scientists - fostering a culture of technical excellence, inclusion and continuous learning
• Owning the delivery of applied data science projects across targeting, relevance, campaign performance and platform optimisation
• Collaborating with Engineering, Product and Commercial to shape and deliver the advertising data science roadmap
• Scoping and prioritising work to ensure smooth, impactful execution - supporting the team hands-on across modelling, experimentation and product integration
• Driving best practices in ML engineering and experimentation - including model monitoring, MLOps and framework development
• Identifying new opportunities where data science can support partner success and drive business growth
• Contributing to cross-disciplinary initiatives that improve hiring, onboarding, community and career development across the DS discipline

About you

• Experienced leader: You've led high-performing data science teams and have delivered applied ML and experimentation solutions in production
• Commercially minded: You understand the business levers behind AdTech and analytics platforms - and how data science can influence them
• Clear communicator: You can align stakeholders across disciplines and translate technical work into real business impact
• Technically strong: Proficient in Python, with experience using experimentation frameworks. Familiarity with Spark, Airflow and GCP or AWS is a plus
• Strategic and pragmatic: You're comfortable navigating ambiguity - prioritising work that delivers measurable value while keeping the long-term vision in view
• Supportive mentor: You coach others through feedback, guidance and by creating a psychologically safe and empowering team environment
• Lifecycle fluent: You know the full data science journey - from ideation and exploration to deployment, monitoring and iteration in production
• Bias to impact: You're not just interested in models - you care about how they land, how they're used, and the value they unlock
• Sustainability and accessibility focused: You think in systems and solutions, always aiming for simplicity, inclusivity and long- term value.

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