Senior Director, Data Science

Who are we:
A professional basketball team and state-of-the-art arena/entertainment venue that specializes in creating memorable experiences for each guest we interact with. Some of our favorite things are live sports, concerts, comedy shows, family shows, and most any other world-class event you can think of, and we’re looking for someone who shares the same interests. We live for the fast-paced world of sports & live entertainment, and as such, we work hard, run fast, execute flawlessly, and party it up when it all comes together. Lastly, we strive to deliver wonderful experiences that create lasting memories, and we prefer to surround ourselves with those who are the best at what they do.

Who are you:
An enthusiastic lover of sports, live entertainment, and people. You have true passion for engaging in meaningful interactions and creating memorable experiences for all guests. You strive to be helpful, engaging, and knowledgeable of all things Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena. You enjoy being a part of an exciting and dynamic group, and you’re committed to continuously enhancing the productivity and effectiveness of your team. Lastly, you enjoy working hard and celebrating hard, and you’d be shocked if guests weren’t positively impacted by their interactions with you.

Beyond the buzzer and bright lights, the Atlanta Hawks are igniting a new era of data-driven excellence, where analytics fuels bold strategies and drives transformative business impact.  We're rethinking how data shapes decisions, moving beyond spreadsheets and dashboards to stories that drive decisive action within our organization. This isn't just about numbers; it's about building relationships that translate insights into a driver of unforgettable fan experiences and measurable growth across every corner of the organization.  As a member of Hawks iQ, we aim to be visionaries who can see beyond the data to uncover opportunities others miss, partnering with leaders who shape everything from the roar of the crowd to the strategic vision of an organization that defines Atlanta's spirit. Join us, and your work won't just live in dashboards—it will echo through State Farm Arena, influence millions of fans, and help write the next chapter for one of the NBA's most dynamic organizations. This is analytics that matters, for a brand that matters, in a city that matters.

About the Role

The Senior Director, Data Science will be responsible for building and leading a brand-new capability within the Atlanta Hawks organization, leveraging predictive modeling and machine learning to accelerate decision-making across critical business functions. This leader will be at the forefront of driving impactful insights, developing cutting-edge models, and influencing strategic decisions with measurable results.

With a focus on pricing optimization, demand forecasting, and fan engagement prediction, this role will be instrumental in identifying hidden patterns, optimizing revenue strategies, and shaping the future of consumer engagement. The Senior Director will create the roadmap for this new function, prioritize efforts based on business needs, and build a high-impact team to bring these capabilities to life.

Success in this role requires deep technical expertise, the ability to translate complex insights into actionable strategies, and the leadership skills to drive collaboration across teams. The ideal candidate will be both a hands-on data scientist and a strategic leader who can communicate advanced analytics in a way that resonates with executives and business stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

Predictive Analytics & Decision Science

• Develop and implement predictive models that drive pricing optimization, revenue forecasting, and customer engagement scoring.
• Build machine learning and AI-driven models that surface demand signals, predict consumer behaviors, and identify new revenue opportunities.
• Leverage advanced analytics to refine customer lifetime value (CLV) scoring, optimize ticket pricing, and enhance marketing effectiveness.
• Collaborate with business leaders to ensure data science initiatives align with strategic priorities and deliver measurable impact.

Leadership & Capability Building

• Establish and lead a high-performing Data Science team, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Define the roadmap for data science within Hawks iQ, prioritizing projects based on organizational needs and impact potential.
• Mentor and develop talent, ensuring the team stays at the forefront of cutting-edge data science methodologies and technologies.
• Act as a thought leader within the organization, advocating for data-driven decision-making and best practices in predictive analytics.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication

• Partner with teams across pricing, marketing, sales, and fan experience to integrate predictive insights into business strategies.
• Translate complex data science concepts into clear, actionable insights that drive decision-making at all levels of the organization.
• Work closely with data engineering and analytics teams to ensure seamless data integration and model deployment.
• Champion a test-and-learn culture, helping teams experiment with data-driven approaches to optimize business performance.

Qualifications & Experience

• 10+ years of experience in data science, predictive analytics, or machine learning, with at least 4 years in a leadership role.
• Proven track record of building and deploying predictive models that drive business impact.
• Deep expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning algorithms, and AI-driven insights.
• Strong technical proficiency in Python, R, SQL, and cloud-based machine learning frameworks (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Experience in pricing optimization, demand forecasting, revenue management, or customer engagement analytics is highly preferred.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders in a compelling and actionable manner.
• Strong leadership skills, with experience building and scaling data science teams.
• A strategic thinker with a challenger mindset—willing to push boundaries, experiment, and drive innovation.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.

If this opportunity looks exciting to you, please complete the application process. Go Hawks!