Senior Principal Data Scientist

Craft:
Data, Analytics & Strategy

Job Description:
We are looking for a visionary Senior Principal Data Scientist to join Central Analytics, where you will lead our most advanced data science efforts to model our game systems, quantify player behavior, and set the standards for experimentation across King.

You'll collaborate closely with Central Analytics Business Analysts and the broader Strategy & Central Analytics group (including Strategy and Market Intelligence, Performance Marketing Analytics, and Business Performance Tools & Reporting). Working cross-functionally with Product Data Science, Finance, and Tech, you'll help shape the future of King's data-driven decision-making.

As one of the most senior members of the Data Science community, you'll mentor others, drive innovation, and influence both business strategy and analytical culture across King.

Your Role Within Our Kingdom

• Lead Game System Modelling: Design and evolve models to understand inflows/outflows, monetization, and economy dynamics across multiple games and products.
• Advance Player Understanding: Lead the development of comprehensive player models, collaborating with Player Research to deeply understand engagement, motivations, and long-term retention.
• Set Experimentation Standards: Define best practices for experimentation across the company — from hypothesis validation to impact extrapolation — ensuring methodological rigor and consistency.
• Shape Strategic Decisions: Partner with Strategy and Finance to drive simulations, market analyses, and M&A evaluations, translating analytical insight into strategic advantage.
• Drive Innovation: Initiate and lead R&D efforts, exploring novel modelling approaches and fostering partnerships with academia and research institutions.
• Mentor and Uplift: Guide and mentor Data Scientists across King, promoting technical excellence, analytical rigor, and continuous learning.
• Collaborate Broadly: Build strong partnerships with Business Analysts, Product Data Scientists, and technical teams to align data science initiatives with company priorities.

Skills to Create Thrills

• Education: PhD or Master's in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, or related field.
• Experience: 10+ years in applied data science or analytics, with a proven record of shaping models and frameworks that drive measurable business growth.
• Expertise: Deep understanding of statistical modelling, machine learning, and experimentation design.
• Tools: Mastery of Python, R, and SQL; experience mentoring teams in these technologies.
• Leadership: Proven ability to lead projects, influence across teams, and mentor senior peers.
• Communication: Exceptional ability to translate complex technical insights into clear business recommendations.
• Innovation: Demonstrated curiosity and drive to explore new techniques and lead R&D initiatives.

Tasty Bonus Points

• Thought leadership in game analytics or data science (publications, talks, or patents).
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives impacting multiple games or business domains.
• Deep knowledge of King's data ecosystem (e.g., BigQuery, Looker, Airflow).
• Passion for gaming and a track record of using data to enhance player experience and business performance.

About King
With a mission of
Making the World Playful
, King is a leading interactive entertainment company with more than 20 years of history of delivering some of the world's most iconic games in the mobile gaming industry, including the world-famous Candy Crush franchise, as well as other mobile game hits such as
Farm Heroes Sag
a. King games are played by more than 200 million monthly active users. King, part of Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), has Kingsters in Stockholm, Malmö, London, Barcelona, Berlin, Dublin, San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles and Malta. More information can be found at or by following us on LinkedIn, @lifeatking on Instagram, or @king_games on X.