Staff Data Scientist - CLV & Next Best Action

Why PlayStation?

PlayStation isn't just the Best Place to Play - it's also the Best Place to Work. Today, we're recognized as a global leader in entertainment producing The PlayStation family of products and services including PlayStation5, PlayStation4, PlayStationVR, PlayStationPlus, acclaimed PlayStation software titles from PlayStation Studios, and more.

PlayStation also strives to create an inclusive environment that empowers employees and embraces diversity. We welcome and encourage everyone who has a passion and curiosity for innovation, technology, and play to explore our open positions and join our growing global team.

The PlayStation brand falls under Sony Interactive Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation.

Role Overview:

Our Data Science Analytics and Enablement (DSAE) team inspires PlayStation to make impactful, customer-centric decisions through seamless integration of data.

Currently there are over 100 people in the global DSAE team, including data science, data governance and analytics professionals. We work closely with engineering and product management teams to deliver data products, insight, predictive analytics, and data visualisation.

We're seeking an experienced and collaborative Staff Data Scientist to join our CLV & Next Best Action / Personalisation team, which builds models that help PlayStation understand and influence the value, growth, and engagement of our global player base.

By connecting player behaviours to long-term outcomes, our work creates the intelligence that underpins Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) modelling and guides PlayStation's Next Best Action and Personalisation strategies. You'll help shape how PlayStation invests in, retains, and delights its players - and advance our use of modern machine learning at global scale.

This is an exciting opportunity to develop your skills in modern machine learning while contributing to high-impact projects that directly influence how PlayStation engages and retains its players.
What You'll Be Doing:

• Design and deliver models that quantify player value, engagement, and growth, shaping strategies across the player lifecycle.
• Apply advanced ML and deep learning approaches (e.g., transformers, embeddings, sequence models) to capture player behaviours and monetisation patterns.
• Partner with senior stakeholders in commercial, finance, and lifecycle teams to define roadmaps and ensure CLV and Next Best Action modelling advises high-impact decisions.
• Translate sophisticated, ambiguous business needs into modelling strategies that guide engagement and growth.
• Work with engineering partners to ensure solutions are robust, scalable, and production-ready.
• Mentor colleagues and influence best practices, fostering technical growth and knowledge sharing across the team.
• Communicate modelling rationale, assumptions, and results persuasively to technical and non-technical senior audiences.

What we're looking for:

You combine technical depth in machine learning with the ability to influence strategy and inspire others. You thrive on solving sophisticated problems that deepen PlayStation's understanding of its players and you use this understanding to drive decision and growth strategies related to player growth.

• Proven experience building predictive models for customer value, engagement, retention, or monetisation.
• Expertise in modern ML and deep learning techniques, including transformers, embeddings, and sequence models for behavioural or transactional data.
• Ability to work with large-scale, complex datasets to generate actionable insights and scalable models.
• Proficiency in Python, PySpark, and SQL, with fluency in common ML libraries and experience building robust modelling pipelines.
• A track record of shaping modelling strategies and ensuring solutions are impactful, scalable, and production-ready.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain concepts persuasively to senior business leaders.
• A collaborative, empowering approach, with experience mentoring colleagues and contributing to team-wide innovation.
• A strong academic background (typically a Master's or PhD in a technical or quantitative field) or equivalent professional experience.

Nice to Have:

• Experience with workflow orchestration tools (e.g., Airflow), feature stores, or visualisation platforms (e.g., Tableau, Domo).
• Proven experience in gaming, e-commerce, or subscription-based business models.
• Experience deploying ML models in production environments and working with MLOps tools.
• A personal interest in gaming and entertainment.

Benefits:

• Discretionary bonus opportunity
• Hybrid Working (within Flexmodes)
• Private Medical Insurance
• Dental Scheme
• 25 days holiday per year
• On Site Gym
• Subsidised Café
• Free soft drinks
• On site bar
• Access to cycle garage and showers

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender (including gender identity, gender expression and gender reassignment), race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity or parental status, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category.

We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond.

PlayStation is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment.
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