Principal Data Scientist - Gram Games

ZYNGA INC; London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Zynga is looking for a Principal Data Scientist who will lead a dynamic team, driving data science strategy to enhance product performance and player engagement. Candidates should have a passion for gaming and extensive experience in analytics, machine learning, and statistical methods. This leadership role offers the opportunity to influence critical decision-making at Zynga as part of a global leader in interactive entertainment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in analytics, with at least 2 years in a senior role.
• Expert knowledge of machine learning and statistics.
• Experience with big data technologies like AWS and Snowflake.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of data scientists and analysts.
• Develop advanced machine learning models and predictive analytics systems.
• Translate complex findings into actionable business strategies.

Skills

Machine Learning

Predictive Analytics

Statistics

Project Management

Communication

Performance Marketing

Education

Advanced degree in Computer Science

Advanced degree in Statistics

Advanced degree in Mathematics

Tools

Python

SQL

Big Data Technologies

Cloud Platforms

Job description

At Zynga, we bring people together through the power of play. As a global leader in interactive entertainment and a proud label of Take-Two Interactive, our games have been downloaded over 6 billion times—connecting players in 175+ countries through fun, strategy, and a little friendly competition.

Founded in 2007 and headquartered in California, our teams span North America, Europe, and Asia, working together to craft unforgettable gaming experiences. Whether you're spinning, strategizing, matching, or competing, Zynga is where fun meets innovation—and where you can take your career to the next level.

Join us and be part of the play!

As a Principal Data Scientist, you will play a key leadership role in driving Gram Games' data-driven culture and strategy. You will lead a team of data professionals while serving as a technical authority across the organization. Working closely with product teams, marketing team, and executive leadership, you'll develop innovative data science solutions, establish data strategy frameworks, and create advanced predictive models that directly impact product performance, player experience, and business growth. Your expertise will influence critical decision-making at all levels and help shape the future of our games.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and mentor a team of data scientists and analysts, providing technical guidance, career development, and fostering collaboration across teams
• Define and implement our data science strategy, aligning it with business objectives and ensuring that data insights drive key decisions across the studio
• Develop advanced machine learning models, predictive analytics systems, and statistical frameworks to optimize player engagement, retention, and monetization
• Create and enhance performance marketing models to improve user acquisition efficiency, ROI analysis, and LTV prediction
• Design and oversee complex A/B testing frameworks to evaluate game features, marketing campaigns, and monetization strategies, monitoring results and delivering actionable recommendations
• Translate complex technical concepts and analytical findings into clear, compelling narratives that drive strategic decisions at the executive level
• Collaborate with engineering teams to implement data solutions in production environments and ensure data infrastructure meets the needs of data science initiatives
• Stay at the forefront of data science advancements, evaluating new methodologies and technologies to maintain competitive advantage
• Serve as the data authority in strategic planning sessions, using your expertise to influence product roadmaps and business strategy
• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders across the organization to understand their needs and ensure data science initiatives deliver measurable business impact
  
  

What You Bring

• Genuine passion for video games and a deep understanding of the mobile gaming industry
• 5+ years of experience in analytics, with at least 2 years in a senior role, preferably in gaming or a similar digital product company
• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or related quantitative field
• Expert knowledge of statistics, machine learning, and causal inference techniques with demonstrated ability to apply them to real-world business problems
• Mastery of programming languages such as Python and SQL, with experience building production-level data science applications
• Proven track record of leading successful data science initiatives that delivered significant business impact
• Experience with big data technologies and cloud platforms (AWS, Snowflake, etc.)
• Strong project management skills with ability to prioritize, manage resources, and deliver complex projects on time
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to present complex findings to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Deep understanding of performance marketing in mobile games, including user acquisition strategies, marketing attribution, ROAS optimization, and LTV modeling
• Demonstrated leadership abilities, including mentoring data professionals and influencing cross-functional stakeholders
• Strategic thinking with the ability to connect data insights to business objectives and drive organizational change
• Experience with game analytics, player behavior modeling, and free-to-play monetization strategies is highly desirable

#LI-Hybrid

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, which means we are committed to creating and celebrating diverse thoughts, cultures, and backgrounds throughout our organization. Employment with us is based on substantive ability, objective qualifications, and work ethic – not an individual’s race, creed, color, religion, sex or gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, alienage or citizenship status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, status as a victim of domestic violence or sex offenses, reproductive health decision, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to providing the necessary support and accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities, health conditions, or impairments (subject to any local qualifying requirements) to ensure their full participation in the job application or interview process. Please contact us at [e-mail] to request any accommodations or for support related to your application for an open position.

Please be aware that Zynga does not conduct job interviews or make job offers over third-party messaging apps such as Telegram, WhatsApp, or others. Zynga also does not engage in any financial exchanges during the recruitment or onboarding process, and will never ask a candidate for their personal or financial information over an app or other unofficial chat channel. Any attempt to do so may be the result of a scamp or phishing attack, and you should not engage. Zynga’s in-house recruitment team will only contact individuals through their official Company email addresses (i.e., via a zynga.com, naturalmotion.com, smallgiantgames.com, themavens.com, gram.gs email domain).

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