Why loveholidays?

At loveholidays, we’re on a mission to open the world to everyone, giving our customers’ unlimited choice, unmatched ease and unmissable value for their next getaway. Our team is the driving force behind our role as our customers’ personal holiday expert - the smart way to get away.

About the team

Our data science team (currently four data scientists, and we’re hiring two more) work across the business to deploy machine learning approaches that are helping us realise our ambition of becoming Europe’s most loved Online Travel Agency. The team focuses on building value for our customers, suppliers and loveholidays through deployment of advanced machine learning techniques.

The impact you’ll have

Reporting to the Chief Data Officer, the Head of Data Science will help the business deliver AI powered solutions to assist customers pre and post booking:

• Drive conversion rate improvements by helping customers find their ideal holiday through sort order and recommendation algorithms.

• Drive more efficient traffic acquisition through bid optimisation algorithms.

• Help the business make better data-assisted decisions through A/B test analysis reporting.

• Work across the business to ensure we are choosing the right applications for machine learning technology.

The Head of Data Science is also responsible for creating and developing our data science talent through hiring, line management and career progression.

Your day-to-day

• Build a deep understanding of the business to build out a company-wide data science strategy.

  • Help the business, including your team, prioritise the highest impact data science initiatives for the business.

• Collaborate closely with the senior leadership team and wider business.

  • Build a reputation for getting things done.

  • Bring data leadership and rigour so we make better data-assisted decision making.

  • Manage stakeholder relationships and expectations across various functions like engineering, product, operations and the Executive Team.

• Structure complex data science projects to incrementally deliver commercial value.

• Build and run complex, machine learning systems both within the data science team and with engineering teams across the business.

  • Ensure that the data science team is adopting the application of our engineering principles.

• Develop and further scale a high performing team of data scientists through hiring, coaching and clear career progression frameworks.

Your skillset

• A proven track record in unlocking commercial value through data science applications in a commercial context.

• Accomplished at mentoring, supporting and measurably improving data science teams.

• Strong knowledge of machine learning and statistical algorithms focused on tabular/structured data.

• Experience with running data science applications in the cloud including performance, scalability and reliability (e.g. DORA metrics).

• Expertise in Python and basic knowledge of several programming languages and paradigms - our systems are written in TypeScript, Java, Golang, Rust, Python and others.

Perks of joining us

• Company pension contributions at 5%.

• Individualised training budget for you to learn on the job and level yourself up.

• Discounted holidays for you, your family and friends.

• 25 days of holidays per annum (plus 8 public holidays) increases by 1 day for every second year of service, up to a maximum of 30 days per annum.

• Ability to buy and sell annual leave.

• Subsidised gym memberships.

• Cycle to work scheme, season ticket loan and eye care vouchers.

At loveholidays, we focus on developing an inclusive culture and environment that encourages personal growth and collective success. Each individual offers unique perspectives and ideas that increase the diversity and effectiveness of our teams. And we value the insight and potential you could bring on our continued journey.

The interview journey

• Introductory chat with the hiring manager (Chief Data Officer).

• Cross-functional interviews covering your approach to running the data science team & technical expertise.

• Note: this requires preparation prior to the interviews