Manager – Data Science

Riot engineers bring deep knowledge of specific technical areas but also value the chance to work in many broader domains. As a Manager, Data Science on the Data Analytics team you’ll lead and grow our data engineers and data scientists to create predictive models, deriving actionable insights, and supporting data-driven decision-making across our products. Your leadership will be essential to delivering data solutions that enhance our mission - Make it better to be a player, by enabling data-driven decisions and experiences.

As a Manager, Data Science, you’ll dive into projects that focus on cross-team goals. You’ll provide other data scientists with a north star of “what extraordinary data science should look like". You are the lead for complex or significant technical work, where the problem requires evaluation of intangibles. You can customize methods to suit an unusual data problem and juggle technical requirements. You work at a multi-team scale, guiding product vision, technical designs, and other scientists’ development across an organization. You lead by example, but you also lead by leading - you achieve results while elevating others’ data science craft.

Responsibilities:

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of data engineers and data scientists, fostering a collaborative environment and supporting professional growth.
• Support a team working collaboratively with product, delivery, technical, and quality leads.
• Design the team makeup so that it has the skills and staff needed for our goals.
• Manage project timelines, resources, and budgets, ensuring high-quality deliverables that meet stakeholder needs on time and within scope.
• Translate complex analytical findings into clear, actionable insights for both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Guide the team in building and deploying predictive models and other advanced analytical solutions that drive insights into player behavior, engagement, retention, monetization etc
• Oversee the design and development of high quality data pipelines that are scalable and performant and deliver on product needs.
• Implement and enforce data governance policies, ensuring data accuracy, consistency, and security across all pipelines. 
• Establish monitoring and alerting systems for pipeline health and data quality.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in data science, with a strong background of delivering impactful data solutions.
• 4+ years as an Engineering Manager working on teams that ship business-facing solutions. 
• Expertise in statistical analysis, machine learning, and predictive modeling, with experience deploying models in a production environment.
• Proficiency in data analytics tools (e.g., SQL, Python, R), BI platforms (e.g., Tableau, Power BI), and familiarity with big data technologies (e.g., Hadoop, Spark).
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud, Azure) and data warehousing solutions.
• Solid understanding of business processes and how data analytics can drive business value.
• Excellent communication and project management skills, with the ability to lead cross-functional projects and work effectively with non-technical stakeholders.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in the gaming industry or with player behavioral analytics is a strong plus.
• Knowledge of AI/ML methodologies and how they can be applied to enhance analytics.

For this role, you’ll find success through craft expertise, a collaborative spirit, and decision-making that prioritizes your fellow Rioters, who are the customers of your work. Being a dedicated fan of games is not necessary for this position!

Our Perks:

Riot focuses on work/life balance, shown by our open paid time off policy and other perks such as flexible work schedules. We offer medical, dental, and life insurance, parental leave for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and children, and a 401k with company match. Check out our benefits pages for more information.

Riot Games fosters a player and workplace experience that values teamwork embodied by the Summoner’s Code and Community Code. Our culture embraces differences as a strength, and our values are the guiding principles for how we approach work. We are committed to putting diversity and inclusion (D&I) at the center of everything we do, and promoting a fair and collaborative culture where Rioters treat one another with dignity and respect. We encourage you to read more about our value of thriving together and our ongoing work to build the most inclusive company in Gaming.

It’s our policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and members of Riot Games, Inc. Riot Games makes reasonable accommodations for handicapped and disabled Rioters and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, handicap, veteran status, marital status, criminal history, or any other category protected by applicable federal and state law. We consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state and local law, including the California Fair Chance Act, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the Washington Fair Chance Act.

Per the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the following core duties may create a basis for disqualifying candidates with relevant criminal histories:

• Safeguarding confidential and sensitive Company data
• Communication with others, including Rioters and third parties such as vendors, and/or players, including minors
• Accessing Company assets, secure digital systems, and networks
• Ensuring a safe interactive environment for players and other Rioters

These duties are directly related to essential operations, safety, trust, and compliance obligations within our organization. Please note that job duties may evolve based on business needs and additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to maintain operational efficiency and security.