Head of Data Science

Are you ready to take the helm of a data science team at the forefront of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) at Zalando, Europe's leading fashion platform? We are looking for a Head of Data Science to join our CRM powerhouse being in charge for state-of-the-art scientific solutions in the field. 

About the Role:
 

In this pivotal position, you'll be steering multiple teams dedicated to crafting data-driven strategies that reasonate with millions and convert intent into long-term customer relation. Your domain will be the whole spectrum of helping to drive customer activation, engagement, retention, and lifetime.

You will guide measuring effectiveness, and developing innovative solutions to optimize CRM-related performance, where you'll apply your mastery of machine learning, predictive models, optimization algorithms, experimentation and causal inference to drive success in our significant marketing investments. Acting as the bridge between Software/Data Engineering and Data Analytics, you will be accountable for defining best-practices and repeatable solutions to speed up experimentation of complex research plans at department level. Together with other (senior) leaders and principal engineers/scientists in your department, you will facilitate the delivery of complex opportunities by guiding collaboration between different teams and presenting insights about status and challenges. You will also take ownership of the results of your department by defining technical ways to ensure that new and existing data-driven capabilities developed in multiple product areas continue to deliver value.

WHO YOU ARE?
 

Embarking on a journey to redefine the nexus of data science and customer relationship management, we are in search of an exceptional leader. Here's who you are in the landscape of our ambitious mission:

• Scientific Leader: You are a visionary with a passion for guiding teams through the frontier of data science in CRM. With a Master's or PhD in a quantitative field, your leadership is informed by deep technical knowledge and strategic thinking.

• Leading Leaders: Having at least 3 years experience in leading leaders, you are adept at managing diverse teams, and at fostering an environment where machine learning, econometrics, and experimentation are leveraged to drive business outcomes.

• Collaboration Champion: You excel at fostering synergistic partnerships, working cohesively with product teams, engineers, and marketing professionals, alongside senior and principal scientists, to steer the team towards a shared vision and unified goals.

• Catalyst for Innovation: With a track record of empowering teams, you encourage ownership and continuous innovation, translating scientific rigor into tangible solutions that propel the business forward.

• Business Savvy: You bring a robust understanding of business operations, particularly within customer relationship management, and use this to guide your team through organizational challenges towards clear, department-aligned goals.

WHERE YOUR EXPERTISE IS NEEDED

• Mentor other data scientists, review and guide their work, help develop roadmaps for the team and be a role model for them.

• Keep the team up-to-date with the latest research in causal inference methods. 

• Provide egoless constructive scientific feedback to peers and coach team members to become great researchers.

• Contribute to and improve team and company processes that ensure high quality research through documentation, peer review, and structured feedback.
   

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Ph.D. in quantitative fields, computer science, statistics, or other quantitative science fields with an emphasis on computational research methods. Demonstrated experience to manage an industrial research project for at least 5 years.

• Experience applying advanced causal identification research methods (experimental and/or quasi-experimental design).

• Strong general scientific problem solving skills. Thinks strategically, but also stays on top of tactical execution.

• As a self-starter, you drive results and have the ability to communicate relevant analytical insights from data to both technical and non-technical audiences. 

• Demonstrated ability to mentor other scientists. Strong sense of ownership, urgency and drive.

Why Join Us?

• You'll be a key player in a department that's a driving force behind Zalando's growth.

• You'll have access to cutting-edge infrastructure and massive datasets.

• You will build leading solutions to form and optimize state-of-the-art CRM products and processes

• Your work will blend scientific rigor with real-world business impact, celebrated globally.

• You'll shape the future of marketing as Zalando transforms into The Starting Point for Fashion.

Perks at Work:

• Culture of trust, empowerment and constructive feedback, open source commitment, meetups, 70+ internal technical and fun guilds, knowledge sharing through tech talks, internal tech academy and blogs, product demos, parties & events

• Competitive salary, employee share shop, 40% Zalando shopping discount, discounts from external partners, centrally located offices, public transport discounts, municipality services, great IT equipment, flexible working times, additional holidays and volunteering time off, free beverages and fruits, diverse sports and health offerings

• Extensive onboarding, mentoring and personal development opportunities and an international team of experts 

• Relocation assistance for internationals, PME family service and parent & child rooms* (*available in select locations)

We celebrate diversity and are committed to building teams that represent a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.

About Zalando:

Zalando is Europe’s leading online platform for fashion and lifestyle, connecting customers, brands and partners across 17 markets. We drive digital solutions for fashion, logistics, advertising and research, bringing head-to-toe fashion to more than 35+ million active customers through diverse skill-sets, interests and languages our teams choose to use. 

Please note that all the applications must be completed using the online form - we do not accept applications via e-mail.

Ready to Lead, Inspire, and Innovate?

Apply now and join us on this exhilarating journey where your work will not only be seen but felt across the fashion industry and beyond.