Lead ML Engineer

Role: Lead ML Engineer
Team / Department: Data Science Team within Marketing Sciences Department
Role
We are looking for a Lead ML Engineer to join our world-class Data Science team of around 8 data scientists led by George Cushen ( ). As a business, we’ve won some of the biggest pitches in each category, such as Virgin Media 02, KFC, and Mercedes. Our clients say that we’re “reinventing the future of marketing”, applying the latest developments at the rapidly growing intersection of AI and marketing. We’re part of Omnicom, the global leader in marketing communications, and more specifically, we’re the data-centric arm of the Omnicom Precision Marketing Group (OPMG).
What You'll Focus On
Leading the development of end-to-end pipelines for training, evaluating and deploying ML models to solve a variety of marketing problems across multiple projects and clients
Develop and grow a highly proficient team of ML Engineers, with prospect of 1 initial report
Applying MLOps to operationalise ML models to drive clients’ regular marketing campaigns
Supporting data scientists to build predictive models to improve and optimize media performance, customer experiences, efficient revenue generation, and other business outcomes across a range of sectors such as retail, telecoms, banking, and fast-food
Building lean Python/JS web apps to enable self-service frameworks for clients/stakeholders
Leading the transformation of technology and processes to employ the latest best practices
Documenting projects in a manner that ensures specific processes can be replicated and scaled across an organization
Collaborating with data scientists and client partners to identify and advise on opportunities for applying ML models to high-impact business opportunities
Collaborating with multiple teams and stakeholders in an agile, fast-paced, dynamic, and entrepreneurial environment
Who We’re Looking For
If you’re the right candidate for this role, you likely:
Are pragmatic and outcome-focused - you know how to balance the big picture with the finer details
Think scientifically - you validate assumptions, seek evidence and are always looking for opportunities to improve the way we do things
Have hands-on experience building machine learning models
Are proficient with Python, SQL, Bash, HTML/CSS/JS, and Excel, including experience with Jupyter notebooks, type-checking, functional programming, PyTest, Pandas, SciKit, PyTorch, CI/CD, and Git
Understand the core concepts of probability and statistics
Are experienced with containerisation – Docker and Kubernetes
Have experience with cloud architecture, API design, web app design, security, and deployment
Have hands-on experience of at least one major cloud platform
Have experience visualizing data using Plotly and Matplotlib
Have demonstrable skills in creative problem solving with strong attention to detail
Have clear, concise and engaging communications skills
Are comfortable in a dynamic, high-growth, multi-client environment
Preferred Qualifications
MS or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or related fields
A broader understanding of the marketing ecosystem and measurement framework, including but not limited to paid display, search, social, video, organic, web, and app
Experience creating data pipelines from various data sources such as RedShift, Snowflake, SQLServer, SalesForce, and Adobe Analytics
Experience with the following cloud providers: AWS, Databricks, Snowflake, Citrix
Experience creating DAGs in tools such as Airflow
Experience with distributed computing such as PySpark or GPU scaling
Experience scraping websites robustly and at scale
Experience with experimentation (A/B testing)
Experience versioning models with tools such as MLFlow for reproducibility
Experience creating custom web apps/dashboards with Python/Dash and Next.js
Experience designing and creating APIs with FastAPI
Experience with NLP, Computer Vision, or GenAI
Experience enriching first-party data with advanced feature engineering and third-party data
Key attributes
Superb problem solving skills
Attention to detail, exhibiting data curiosity and scepticism to ensure accurate and quality results
A curious thinker who demonstrates interests in a wide range of business and technical subjects
Proactive, passionate about building data and innovation solutions
Excellent written and verbal communication skills - communicate efficiently and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences
ABOUT RAPP
We stand up for individuality. We actively foster an inclusive workplace where diversity and individual difference are valued and leveraged to achieve the agency’s vision. And most importantly we value every individual’s wellbeing.
As a diversity champion, equal opportunitiesand disability confidentemployer and an ardent advocate of flexible working we understand that everyone has unique requirements and needs.
We are a global creative agency, but the individual really is at the heart of everything we do. We use data to find out what makes them tick. We use technology to talk to them one-to-one – but to one million at a time. And we use creativity to encourage them to engage, click, buy and bond, againandagain.
Each brand is unique and has its own individual challenges. We pride ourselves in rising to each and every one of them, for brands such as KFC, Mercedes Benz, IKEA, Paypal and Virgin Media 02.
Us
We are true advocates of flexible working with a hybrid working policy of 3 days per week in our incredible South Bank office, next to cultural hubs such as the Tate Modern. We ask you to work where and when you work best. We’ll be honest though, we do love seeing people in the office, because it delivers on our Culture, Collaboration and Connection. For Concentration, work where you’ll work best. We call it the 4 Cs.
Learning and Development is important. We all know that. Its why we have a dedicated Learning and Development team and offer regular career conversations and bespoke L&D programmes so that you can leave us with more than when you started.
We recognise that the work of diversity, equity and inclusion calls on all of us. That’s why we set up The Neighbourhood. A collective of people, at different stages of the DE&I journey, whether impacted or allies, dedicated to helping our colleagues take ownership and effect change across 4 key pillars; Anti-racism, Disability, Gender & LGBTQ+ and Parents & Carers.
The Health and Wellbeing of our people matters immensely. We offer Coaching opportunities for all through our partnerships with Sanctus (mental health partner who provides online coaching; you can talk about anything, personal or professional) and Sayge (1:1 professional development coaching program). We have 40 trained Mental Health First Aiders across the agency and have Babylon Health (Private GP service) for all.
You’re better at work when you feel better in yourself. So, in addition to your annual holiday, you can take a “Me” day and an “Us” day, every year. Your “Me” day is for you to invest in yourself – go after a life goal, meditate, learn to paint, bake cakes or just have a duvet day watching Netflix!
Your “Us” day is all about giving back and helping others – volunteer, pick litter at a local park, hang out with the elderly or raise money for a local charity.
We’re progressive and always open to new initiatives, for example we’ve recently partnered with Fertifa (Leading Fertility and Reproductive Health benefit providers). Because we know the journey to becoming a family isn’t always easy (that includes men too), and we support our people through that journey whether you are new parent, experiencing the menopause, or anything else in between.
Whatever stage of life you are at, we make sure you have the tools you need to have a healthy work life balance.
Recruitment process
We like to keep recruitment swift, lean, and individual and find that 2 or 3 stages gives all parties the opportunity to get to know each other. Plus, we have a team on hand to answer questions throughout the process.
We are RAPP, and we can’t wait to meet you!
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