Director, Data Science - Cox Automotive Decision Support

Company

Cox Automotive - USA

Job Family Group

Data Intelligence & Science

Job Profile

Director, Data Science

Management Level

Director

Flexible Work Option

Hybrid - Ability to work remotely part of the week

Travel %

Yes, 15% of the time

Work Shift

Day

Compensation

Compensation includes a base salary of $159,400.00 - $265,600.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.

Job Description

The Director of Data Science for Applied Research at Manheim Digital leads a specialized team focused on rapidly turning data into practical, high-impact business solutions. Through hands-on, prototype-driven data science, this role shapes how Cox Automotive leverages advanced statistical modeling and machine learning to stay ahead of the competition and enhance strategic decision-making at scale.

Applied Research operates as a dynamic, innovative engine within the Decision Support division, building proofs-of-concept that inform strategic directions across Cox Automotive’s diverse business units. The team’s projects span an exciting breadth—including advanced recommendation engines, predictive analytics for market insights, anomaly and fraud detection frameworks, intelligent data summarization tools, and foundational models that directly influence the performance and reliability of Manheim’s digital and physical auction platforms.

Strategic Vision & Portfolio Ownership

·         Define and evolve the strategic direction of the Applied Research team, aligning data science innovation with Manheim Digital’s long-term business objectives.

·         Own the portfolio of applied data science initiatives across diverse domains—auction dynamics, supply chain optimization, digital fraud detection, and more—ensuring prioritization of high-impact, value-generating work.

·         Identify emerging opportunities for machine learning and computational statistics to create competitive advantage; proactively shape the problem space before it is handed down.

Organizational Influence & Cross-Functional Leadership

·         Serve as the senior data science leader within Decision Support, representing Applied Research across Product, Engineering, Marketing, and Operations leadership.

·         Champion data science alignment across business units, fostering deep partnerships and trust with stakeholders to ensure models and insights are adopted, deployed, and impactful.

·         Drive strategic conversations with executive leaders around where and how Applied Research can influence revenue growth, operational efficiency, and user experience.

Executional Oversight & Innovation Culture

·         Guide the delivery of advanced prototypes and analytical frameworks, ensuring scientific rigor while balancing speed and feasibility in production environments.

·         Build a resilient innovation pipeline by seeding exploratory work alongside tactical model delivery—nurturing experimentation without compromising delivery timelines.

·         Ensure effective knowledge transfer and continuity from prototype to scalable solutions via partnership with Data Engineering, Product, and Platform teams.

People Leadership & Talent Development

·         Lead, coach, and develop a team of high-performing managers and principal scientists, fostering a culture rooted in curiosity, trust, and practical excellence.

·         Actively build the next layer of data science leadership, ensuring succession planning, role clarity, and alignment with team values and org goals.

·         Promote cross-pollination of ideas and resources across analytical teams at Cox Automotive, creating cohesion within a distributed enterprise.

Operational Excellence & Thought Leadership