Machine Learning Manager

Role Description

About Us:

At Booking.com, data drives our decisions. Technology is at our core. And innovation is everywhere. Through our products, partners and people, we make it easier for everyone to experience the world.

About the Team

The Booking Ads ML team builds Machine Learning solutions that power Ads across Booking.com, enabling partners to reach the right travellers at the right moment while preserving customer experience and conversion. Based in Amsterdam, the team works cross-functionally with Data Science & Analytics and Data Engineering, and closely with Product and Engineering, to tackle large-scale, high-impact problems using advanced ML on complex data. As part of a fast-growing domain, the team plays a key role in scaling the Ads business and shaping how advertising integrates seamlessly into the Booking.com platform.

As an ML Manager in the Booking Ads ML team, you will provide technical leadership and direction for a team building Machine Learning solutions that power Ads across Booking.com. You will coach and develop ML Scientists and ML Engineers, set high standards for ML craft and production quality, and ensure the team delivers impactful, scalable ML solutions aligned with Ads business goals. Working closely with Product, Engineering, DS&A, and Data Engineering, you will translate strategy into execution, balance short-term delivery with long-term technical vision, and foster a collaborative, high-performing team environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Build a strong team within their area, by coaching and developing ML talent in the team
• Lead by example by taking ownership, being proactive and collaborating
• Foster a great culture that innovates, work together as a team, partner with other Booking.com com teams and celebrates unified success
• Translate business problems into viable, reliable and robust ML and AI solutions, accounting for constraints of the production environment
• Monitor product health, performance and business impact and act accordingly when requirements are not met
• Adhere to the default principles for Architecture, quality and non-functional requirements
• Own the architecture across team and drive a culture of ownership and technical excellence, including reactive work such as incident escalations
• Build new products, processes and operational plans, and drive innovation in your team
• Actively contribute to Machine Learning at Booking.com through training, exploration of new technologies, interviewing, onboarding and mentoring colleagues

Qualifications & Skills:

• University degree or equivalent experience in a quantitative field (e.g. Computer Science, Mathematics, Artificial Intelligence, Physics, etc.)
• At least 5 years of industry experience and at least 2 years managing ML scientists and engineers. Involved in the application of Machine Learning to business problems
• Advanced knowledge and experience in areas like e.g. Recommender Systems, Online Machine Learning, Information Retrieval, Multi Armed Bandits, Causal Inference and Scaling ML models serving and training
• Experience designing and completing end-to-end research and development plans and generating impact through large-scale machine learning model development. Preferably evidenced by peer-reviewed publication, patents, open sourced code or the like
• Experience on multiple machine learning facets: working with large data sets, model development, statistics, experimentation, data visualization, optimization, software development
• Experience collaborating cross functionally in the development of machine learning products (e.g. Developers, UX specialists, Product Managers, etc.)
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and verbal
• Successful experience driving technical, business and people related initiatives that improve productivity, performance and quality while communicating with stakeholders at all levels
• Leading by example, gaining respect through actions, not your title. Developing your team and motivating them to achieve their goals. Providing feedback timely and managing your key team performance indicators

Benefits & Perks: Global Impact, Personal Relevance

Booking.com’s Total Rewards Philosophy is not only about compensation but also about benefits. We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, as well unique-to-Booking.com benefits which include:

• Annual paid time off and generous paid leave scheme including: parental (22-weeks paid leave), grandparent, bereavement, and care leave
• Hybrid working including flexible working arrangements, working from home furniture and ergonomic support, and up to 20 days per year working from abroad (home country)
• A beautiful sustainable HQ Campus in Amsterdam, that offers on-site meals, coffee, and snacks, multi-faith and breastfeeding rooms at the office
• Commuting allowance and bike reimbursement scheme
• Industry leading product discounts - up to 1400 per year - for yourself, including automatic Genius Level 3 status and Booking.com wallet credit
• Free access to online learning platforms, development and mentorship programs
• Global Employee Assistance Program, free Headspace membership