Director Data Science – Analysis

Company Description

As the region’s leading local tech organization, we’re proud to say that we have been delivering for millions of people right across MENA for the past 18 years.
We were founded in Kuwait in 2004, and acquired by Delivery Hero (DHER) in 2015. This gives us a unique outlook – local knowledge with global expertise. It also allows us to innovate, create, and bring new technologies for the betterment of the MENA region, such as q-commerce, sustainable packaging, cloud kitchens, autonomous delivery vehicles, robots, and drones.
We deliver across 9 countries with more than 4,500+ employees! Our food delivery business works with over 27,000 brands and almost 50,000 branches.
Our q-commerce concept, talabat mart (121 Stores), now delivers groceries to customers in Bahrain, Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE in 30 minutes or less!

talabat is part of the Delivery Hero Group, the world’s leading local delivery platform operating in 70+ countries worldwide

Job Description

The Growth and Monetization Data Science Director will play a pivotal role in leading and accelerating growth strategies across multiple dimensions, including marketing optimization and efficiency, growth product initiatives (e.g., churn reduction), ecosystem plays (e.g., subscription models and rewards), and ads revenue optimization. This leadership position will require close collaboration with product teams, senior marketing and partner growth leadership, ultimately driving data-driven decision-making and achieving transformative business growth.

What’s On Your Plate?

Data Science 

• Responsible for defining and executing a comprehensive data strategy that aligns with the company’s goals, leveraging data to drive business decisions and achieve strategic objectives. 

• Lead cross-functional teams to design and implement innovative data-driven products and analytics insights, to deliver measurable impact on business outcomes.

Strategic Leadership and Business Acumen

• Demonstrate strategic leadership skills and an understanding of how data science can drive business success. 

• Articulate your vision for your area and align your team’s work with broader organizational goals. 

• Identify emerging trends and technologies that can drive value for the business and take steps to incorporate them into your team’s work.

Collaboration and Influence

• Work collaboratively with a wider range of stakeholders, including senior executives, product managers, and engineers. 

• Build strong partnerships across the organization, communicate effectively, and influence decision-making. 

• Manage relationships with external partners, such as vendors or academic institutions, and represent the organization in industry events and conferences.

Resource Management

As a director, you will have responsibility for managing a larger team of data scientists, analysts, and engineers, as well as budgets and resources. 

• Make data-driven decisions about resource allocation, prioritize projects and initiatives, and manage risk effectively. 

• Coach and mentor other managers within your team, helping them to develop their skills and grow as leaders.

Strategic Hiring and Talent Development

• Responsible for recruiting and retaining top talent within your organization. 

• Work with HR and recruiting teams to develop job descriptions and identify candidates, as well as creating onboarding and training programs to help new hires get up to speed quickly. 

• Develop career paths for your team members, set expectations for their growth and development, and provide regular feedback and coaching to help them achieve their goals.

Organizational Change Management

• Manage organizational change effectively, whether it involves new technologies, processes, or initiatives. 

• Communicate the rationale for change, involve key stakeholders in decision-making, and manage resistance effectively. 

• Develop and implement change management plans that minimize disruption and ensure that your team is able to adapt to new ways of working.

What Did We Order?

• A minimum of 8-10 years of professional experience in data science, including leadership roles in data science teams or consulting.

• A Ph.D. or Master’s degree in a relevant field such as computer science, statistics, data science, or a related disciplines

• Proven experience in leading and managing managers and a demonstrated ability to foster a high-performance team culture.

• Must possess a deep and practical knowledge of data science, encompassing statistics, causality, experimentation, and causal inference, as well as knowledge in modeling.

• Must have a track record of applying these skills and leading teams to design and implement innovative data-driven products and deliver impactful insights and recommendations 

• Business Acumen:

  • Proven ability to understand and navigate complex business landscapes, including familiarity with industry-specific challenges and opportunities.

  • Demonstrated experience in identifying and quantifying the business impact of data-driven initiatives, such as revenue growth, cost savings, and customer retention.

• Strategic Thinking

  • A strategic mindset with the ability to envision and communicate long-term data-driven goals and objectives that align with the organization’s overall strategy.

  • Proficiency in developing and executing data-driven roadmaps and plans that drive innovation, competitive advantage, and market growth.