As a leading mountain resort operator with over 40 resorts in sixteen states and four countries. We exist to create an Experience of a Lifetime for our employees, so they can, in turn, provide and Experience of a Lifetime for our guests. We are looking for leaders, innovators, creators, and ambitious professionals to join our talented team. If you’re ready to pursue your fullest potential, we want to get to know you!

Many of our Corporate function teams can now live and work in any of the states in which Vail Resorts currently operates* – enabling flexible remote work alongside a commitment to building and maintaining strong culture both in person and virtually. If you’re ready to pursue your fullest potential, we want to get to know you. Find your purpose with us at www.vailresortscareers.com.

Candidates for year-round positions are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications will be accepted up to 90 days after the posting date, or until the position is filled (whichever is first).

Job Summary:

Vail Resorts is looking to hire an experienced leader for our innovative Data Science team at Vail Resorts. As Senior Director of Data Science, the role will be leading a high-profile team that sits at the center of Vail Resorts organizational strategy touching critical areas and lines of business (Pass, Lift Tickets, Ski School, Rentals, etc.), receiving full executive sponsorship from CEO and the Executive Committee. The team develops models using our industry leading guest database to drive commercial impact and continues to push the limits of what is possible with emerging technologies and methodologies. In our next phase of organizational growth, the focus will be on increased performance of our existing portfolio of in-market models, granularity of algorithmic decision making, scalability of solutions across our core lines of business, and new innovative models to drive business impact in service to our future long-range goals.

As Senior Director of Data Science, you will be responsible for leading the development, socialization, and implementation of intelligent solutions across the enterprise. You will be responsible for continuing to enhance and optimize existing production pipelines such as our product and resort recommendation systems and suite of audience targeting and affinity models, in addition to bringing new solutions to market. You will develop a clear articulation of vision and roadmap of Data Science towards long-range growth plans for the organization. You will be interfacing directly with senior stakeholders to align on business priorities and provide expertise in how data science can provide differentiated solutions.

Why this role is special:

• Vail Resorts is a fast-growing company at the forefront of the Travel and Tourism industry – redefining the ski industry in the 21st century
• Leveraging analytics is a core pillar of Vail Resorts’ strategy moving forward – a critical driver of our success leading to a strong willingness to invest
• We are a data-driven business with a proprietary guest database unmatched by any other company in the industry – a great foundation for building out analytic use cases
• There is a significant opportunity to lead our Data Science capabilities to the next level – we are leading the adoption of data and cloud technologies to continue to enhance our impact
• Direct exposure to senior leaders of the business (CEO, CMO, broader Executive team) – a unique opportunity to team with our business leadership to reimagine analytics

Job Specifications:

• Outlet: Corporate
• Expected Pay Range: $207,830.00 - $252,960.00 + annual bonus + equity 
• Shift & Schedule Availability: Full Time / Year Round
• Skill Level: Advanced

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead, develop, and support the growth of high-performing team
• Develop, align on, and deliver on long-range vision for data science at Vail Resorts
• Lead the architecture and development of data-driven solutions across the company
• Represent the data science organization by managing and collaborating across cross-functional technology and data initiatives
• Bring ambition, a problem solving attitude, and clear articulation of vision to continue to evolve the technical proficiencies of the team
• Present data and technical output that enables stakeholders to make informed and data driven decisions
• Drive and support a culture of technical progression through both performance and usability of developed solutions
• Be inquisitive and have an eye for identifying areas where data science can deliver efficiency and increased sophistication
• Other duties as assigned

Job Qualifications:

• At least 10+ years of experience
• Previous experience managing, engaging, and driving a high-performing Data Science team
• Previous experience in commercial settings driving strong financial outcomes with data science initiatives
• Advanced degree in a quantitative field (Computer Science, Statistics, Electrical Engineering etc.)
• Advanced experience in machine learning algorithms, regression (linear & non-linear models), clustering, etc
• Advanced fluency in SQL preferred
• Demonstrated experience leading engineering and development of large scale data/data science centered modelling leveraging cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, GCP)
• Extensive development experience in at least one programming language (Python, Java, etc.)
• Project management skills, including the ability to scope, deliver and deploy predictive modeling solutions
• Comfortable working in a dynamic, high performing group with several ongoing concurrent projects
• Strong verbal and written communication skills as well as excellent presentation skills
• Strong learning agility.  Enjoys and excels in environments with new and increasingly complex strategic business challenges and issues—incorporating the newest ideas, technologies, and approaches to business.
• A brave, ambitious, and passionate leader while also demonstrating a high level of emotional intelligence and self-awareness.

The expected Total Compensation for this role is $207,830.00 - $252,960.00 + annual bonus + equity. Individual compensation decisions are based on a variety of factors.

The perks include a free ski pass, and a set of benefits including...

• Medical, Dental, Vision insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan  
• Hourly employees are generally eligible for accrued Paid Time Off (PTO) and Sick Time.  Salaried employees are generally eligible for Flexible Time Off (FTO) 
• Paid Parental Leave for eligible mothers and fathers  
• Healthcare & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts  
• Life, AD&D, and disability insurance 

Reach Your Peak at Vail Resorts.  At Vail Resorts, our team is made whole by the brave, passionate individuals who ambitiously push boundaries and challenge the status quo. Whether you’re looking for seasonal work or the career of a lifetime, join us today to reach your peak.  

*Remote work is currently permitted from British Columbia and the 16 U.S. states in which we currently operate. This includes: California, Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Washington State, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Please note that the ability to work remotely, and the particulars related to such work, are subject to change at any time; and, accordingly, the Company reserves the right to change its policies and/or require in-person/in-office work at any time in its sole discretion.   

Vail Resorts is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law.

Requisition ID  499696
Reference Date: 01/12/2024 
Job Code Function: Marketing