Lead Data Scientist, Digital Transformation

26-May-2023

Harvard Business School

62678BR

Position Description

Job purpose
Be a pioneer in business, education, and global impact by joining the Harvard Business School Digital Transformation team - a “startup with assets,” where you will have the chance to deploy cutting-edge digital- and emerging-technology education solutions. Where else can you make a difference at the intersection of cutting-edge technology, world-class education, noble purpose, and timeless legacy?

As our Lead Data Scientist you will collaborate with and shepherd the Data Science and Machine Learning team and will create data science, machine learning, and AI solutions to better address the needs of our constituents (students, alumni, faculty, researchers, staff, and community at large). You will have the chance to guide and continuously improve the ways in which we engage, educate, and empower people around the world, combining the best of human touch and technology scale, experimenting with everything from the latest AI algorithms and techniques to blended and immersive environments, multi-modal and varied-form content, and the most innovative research and teaching methodologies.

You will translate the needs of our cross-functional stakeholders into predictive models and production-grade algorithms and platforms and will drive value creation through personalized engagement, expanded reach, and experimental new ways of learning that will continue the Harvard Business School leadership in education, business, and societal impact.

You will lead the creation, delivery, and production of specific data science, machine learning and AI products for for internal stakeholders; directly mentor data scientists, data analysts, and machine learning engineers; and will perform technical reviews on the team’s work. In conjunction with the key partners, you will make technical decisions on data, technology, and ways of working. The role will also contribute to the global Harvard Business School Digital Transformation and overall Harvard University communities through our collective growth in the field of big data, data science and machine learning

Duties and responsibilities

• Develop analytical models and solutions / production-ready algorithms that solve real business problems, taking into account business needs and technology/operations landscape; lead interaction with internal stakeholders and technology on specific projects and initiatives
• Apply data science, machine learning, and AI techniques to derive business value from the full range of internal and external data sets, leveraging Cloud-based “Big Data” technology
• Build data science pipelines from feature generation, data visualization and models evaluation; design the solution, build initial code and provide documentation with ways of working to maximize time to value and re-usability
• Translate complex data and methodology into strategic, operationally feasible insights and recommendations; automate implementation
• Communicate clearly and effectively to technical and non-technical audiences, verbally and visually, to create understanding, engagement, and buy-in
• Identify trends and opportunities to drive innovation, both in what we do and how we do it; evaluate new data science, machine learning, and AI technologies and tools that can boost team performance, innovation and business value
• Manage, coach and mentor a team of data scientists, serving at the predominant technical data science and machine learning expert
• Actively contribute to and re-use community best practices
• Embody the values and passions that characterize Harvard Business School, with empathy to engage with colleagues from a wide range of backgrounds
• Promote data science, machine learning, AI, and digital and emerging technologies at Harvard Business School in relevant channels through community engagement, networking, speeches, and publications as applicable

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of seven years’ post-secondary education or relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

Additional Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelors Degree in Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Engineering, Statistics, or 7+ years equivalent work experience is required
• 5-7 years of experience in developing a variety of machine learning models and algorithms in a commercial environment with a track record of creating meaningful business impact is required

• Strong Python skills required; proficiency in at least one open-source programming language (R, Java, C++ or another) and SQL desirable
• Expertise in multivariate statistical modelling (e.g. clustering, regression, principal components and factor analysis, time-series forecasting, Bayesian methods) and machine learning (Random Forest, KNN, SVM, boosting and bagging, regularization etc.) required
• Experience with cloud computing platforms (AWS, GCP or other), or equivalent on-premise platform.
• Ability to mentor and lead others; provide hands-on technical guidance; conduct code reviews
• Ability to simultaneously coordinate and track multiple deliverables, tasks and dependencies across multiple stakeholders / business areas
• Experience with neural networks, deep learning, and reinforcement learning, using frameworks such as TensorFlow, desirable
• Proficiency with data visualization tools (D3.js, R Shiny, Looker, or similar)
• Proficiency with Spark or MapReduce
• Experience working in agile methodology
• Prior experience in leading data science and machine learning focused on solving business problems and seizing business opportunities

Additional Information

This role has the possibility of being a remote or hybrid position. You must reside in one of the following states: CA, CT, GA, IL, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VA, VT or WA. There may be periodic visits to our Boston, MA based campus. In a hybrid role, you are required to be onsite at our Boston, MA based campus a determined number of days per month. Specific days and schedule will be determined between you and your manager.

We may conduct candidate interviews virtually (phone and/or via Zoom) and/or in-person for this role.

A cover letter is required to be considered for this opportunity.

Harvard Business School will not offer visa sponsorship for this opportunity.

Culture of Inclusion: The work and well-being of HBS is profoundly strengthened by the diversity of our network and our differences in background, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, and life experiences. Explore more about HBS work culture here https://www.hbs.edu/employment .

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard’s Total Rewards website to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Job Function

Information Technology

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Boston

Job Code

I0760P Applications Professional VI

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Department

Digital Transformation

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening

Credit, Criminal, Education, Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.