Head of Data & AI

About Skillz:

Skillz is the leading mobile games platform dedicated to bringing out the best in everyone through competition. As the first publicly-traded (NYSE: SKLZ) mobile esports platform, Skillz has pioneered the future of the gaming industry by accelerating the convergence of sports, video games, and media for an exploding mobile-first audience worldwide. The Skillz platform empowers developers to create multi-million dollar franchises by enabling social competition in their games. Leveraging its patented technology, Skillz hosts billions of casual esports tournaments for millions of mobile players worldwide to build the home of competition for all.

Skillz has earned recognition as one of Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators, CNBC’s Disruptor 50, Forbes’ Next Billion-Dollar Startups, Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, and the number-one fastest-growing company in America on the Inc. 5000. www.skillz.com 

About This Role:

As the Head of Data & AI, you will own all strategy for Data Engineering, Data Science, and AI for Skillz. You will work cross-functionally with the Product Development team and other departments to design and deploy Data Products that generate new business and revenue streams for the next generation of eSports platform.

What You’ll Do:

• Build and lead a team of Data Scientists and Data Engineers to deliver cutting edge off-line and real time machine learning solutions and data pipelines to build a brand new revenue stream

• Partner cross-functionally with Product Leadership and Core Engineering teams to develop and track detailed schedules, dependencies and critical paths

• Effectively collaborate with all project stakeholders i.e. Product Management, Finance team, Consumer and Developer Engineering etc

• Clearly communicate with upper leadership any risk areas; come up with risk mitigation plans

• Encourage and drive initiatives which promote innovation and technical excellence

• Hire, retain, and develop the the engineers on your team

• Coach and motivate your team to ensure high productivity and teamwork, and help each individual achieve their potential

• Interface with other internal teams to prioritize features and functionality based on the resources available and business priorities

Your Skillz & Experience:

• Minimum 10 years experience in data engineering, data science, and/or machine learning 

• Minimum 4 years experience hands-on people management of high performing engineers, scientists, and/or engineering managers

• Experience building relationships and influencing stakeholders across multiple disciplines

• Experience communicating highly technical concepts to a non-technical audience

• Willingness to work onsite 5 days a week in Skillz offices

• Experience building new revenue streams through creative use of Data / Machine Learning / AI

• Experience in the gaming industry or an interest in the gaming space

Our Perks:

Skillz offers competitive compensation packages with a salary, bonuses, and restricted stock grants. Generous company-paid benefits, time-off, leave, 401k match, etc. Check out our career page for more information.