Associate Operations Research Scientist

JOB SUMMARY

Applies advanced computational techniques in the development of business solutions to data-intensive problems in the hospitality industry.  This rewarding position provides a career as part of a team that makes a direct revenue impact on Marriott hotels, globally, by providing tools that facilitate data-driven decision making in the disciplines of pricing, revenue management, sales and reservations.  Works as part of a team that supports computationally-intensive data analysis and modeling efforts, provides pricing and statistical modeling and technical expertise; provides production support for systems deployed at our hotels; performs undirected research on large volumes of data to reach business conclusions and recommendations; contributes complex programming and analysis in revenue management and sales systems; analyzes data and builds innovative models to deliver business solutions; functions as a subject matter expert in all phases of the project lifecycle – inception, prototyping, design, testing, rollout and support.  The Operations Research team seeks a flexible candidate with a willingness to learn that brings unique perspectives to enable creative data-driven solutions to the challenges at Marriott.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education and Experience

Required:

• 1 year Experience in industrial or academic research; applying analytical and programming skills against complex mathematical modeling and/or systems development
• 1 year experience in software development including relational database experience and engineering skills such as distributed computing, object-oriented development, data cleansing, algorithms and data structure)
• Undergraduate degree in a rigorous quantitative, technical, or scientific subject, including Operations Research, Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, Data Engineering, Computer Science or Engineering

Preferred:

• Graduate or PhD in Operations Research
• Knowledge and experience with Python (pandas / Numpy / SciPy), Java or C/C++, SQL at an advanced level with an understanding of complexity theory
• Experience performing predictive modeling, forecasting, or statistical analysis on large scale datasets. 
• Experience with Big Data platforms (i.e. Hadoop)
• Experience with Machine learning tools and techniques (e.g. k-nearest neighbors, random forests, ensemble methods, etc.)
• Experience in developing analytic driven solutions to business problems 
• Understands complex, discrete data sets with subtle underlying biases
• Experience with linear, mixed integer, non-linear or dynamic programming models and familiarity with optimization software (CPLEX, Gurobi).
• SAS programming (including SAS/HPF, SAS/ETS, and macros). 
• Experience with designing or supporting analytical systems, focusing on model quality and code efficiency
• Readiness and willingness to debug existing codes to identify source of reported application issues

CORE WORK ACTIVITIES

Delivering Technology 

• Provides input on solution structure, tasks, timeline and estimates for revenue management deliverables
• Partners with planning teams to articulate possible solutions to business problems and to develop requirements for new models 
• Formulates methods for measuring the effectiveness of pricing and revenue management activities.
• Prepares detailed specifications for translation of complex business processes into models and prototypes
• Develops and implements efficient, scalable algorithms using appropriate technologies/software/architectures
• Writes software and utility software tools to create and test new models
• Assists the Application Delivery teams in support of operations
• Assists the Application Delivery team in the maintenance of existing models
• Provides work/cost estimates for client requests
• Prepares documentation for client review.
• Conducts reviews, discusses findings, risks and challenges and establishes courses of action

IT Governance

• Follows all defined iT standards and processes and provides input for improvements to the appropriate process owners as needed
• Maintains a proper balance between business and operational risk
• Follows the defined project management standards and processes

Service Provider Management

To the extent that this role interacts with service providers:

• Validates that Service Providers develop and manage respective aspects of a project plan, including schedules, deliverables, and appropriate metrics.
• Makes short term plans for the team to effectively utilize resources
• Monitors Service Provider outcomes
• Reviews estimates of work effort for client project provided by Service Providers for accuracy
• Fac