Vice President of Ads Quality Engineering

Description:

Reddit is on a fast track to become the leader in contextual and interest-based advertising. We are looking for an engineering leader that will take Ads Quality organization to the next level. In this role, you will lead the mission critical machine learning teams that are responsible for ads retrieval, ranking, marketplace optimization, e.g. the end-2-end ads delivery funnel.

Reporting to the head of Ads Monetization, you will be responsible for the team’s overall product strategy through the lens of engineering innovation. You will lead cross functional efforts across  senior product management, engineering and leadership from Sales and Marketing to achieve our business goals.

What You’ll Do:

• Develop, drive and execute the long term engineering vision and strategy for ad retrieval, ranking, and marketplace efforts increasing the value of Reddit’s advertising for both advertisers and users.
• You will be responsible for recruiting, retaining and mentoring a team of world-class engineers and leaders from a diverse set of backgrounds to help Reddit reach its ambitious goals. 
• Hold teams accountable for consistent, high-quality development across the department. Ensure our output is aligned with our business goals.
• Direct research and development for machine learning based ads optimization and modeling efforts, ensuring that the ads we show to users are relevant and timely.
• Work closely with XFN partners in ads and across the company to ensure our ads business is proactive in protecting our users’ privacy.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive team culture that encourages innovation, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning.

Responsibilities:

Team Leadership and Management:

• Lead a team of machine learning engineers, providing guidance, mentorship, and support to foster their professional growth.
• Set clear goals and expectations for the Ads Machine Learning Organization , and ensure timely delivery of high-quality work.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive team culture that encourages innovation, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning.

Machine Learning Strategy and Ads Quality Roadmap:

• Develop a comprehensive machine learning strategy for Ads Monetization that is aligned with the overall business objectives of Reddit.
• Define and prioritize machine learning projects that enhance Reddit's recommender systems and distribution channels.
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders, including product managers and engineers, to gather requirements and define project scope.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements and trends in machine learning and recommend innovative approaches to improve Reddit's offerings.

Project Management and Execution:

• Oversee the end-to-end strategy and execution of ads quality and delivery projects, ensuring they are delivered on time and within budget.
• Collaborate closely with product managers and engineering teams to ensure the successful integration and deployment of machine learning models and systems.
• Develop and implement robust evaluation metrics and methodologies to measure the performance and impact of machine learning initiatives.
• Identify and mitigate risks and issues that may arise during project execution, and take proactive steps to resolve them.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including product management, engineering, and data science, to align machine learning initiatives with broader company goals.
• Clearly communicate project progress, challenges, and results to executive stakeholders and other relevant teams.
• Act as a subject matter expert on machine learning, providing guidance and insights to stakeholders across the organization.

Research and Development:

• Drive research initiatives to explore new machine learning techniques and algorithms that can enhance Reddit's understanding of content.
• Stay informed about the latest research publications and industry advancements, and assess their potential application to Reddit's machine learning projects.
• Foster a culture of innovation and encourage the team to experiment with novel approaches and methodologies.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of 8 years of experience in leading machine learning engineering organizations and projects, preferably in the ads domain.
• Strong technical expertise in machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, and recommender systems.
• In depth understanding of ads delivery and ads marketplace design
• A high degree of personal integrity and a desire to put the needs of our stakeholders, e.g. advertisers and users, first.
• Proficiency in programming languages and frameworks commonly used in machine learning and systems, such as Python and Go.
• Experience with machine learning frameworks and libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Solid understanding of software engineering principles and practices, including version control, testing, and deployment.
• Demonstrated ability to drive and execute complex machine learning projects from inception to deployment.
• Excellent leadership and people management skills, with a track record of building and managing high-performing teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and address technical challenges effectively.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Healthcare Benefits
• 401k Matching
• Workspace benefits for your home office
• Personal & Professional development funds
• Family Planning Support
• Flexible Vacation (please use them!) & Reddit Global Wellness Days
• 4+ months paid Parental Leave
• Paid Volunteer time off

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