Data Scientist 3

Choice Hotels International • North Bethesda, MD

6d • $114,907 - $135,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Choice Hotels, one of the world’s largest lodging franchisors, has an opportunity for a Data Scientist 3, Applied AI, on the Data Science team. You will play an integral role in developing predictive analytics and applied AI capabilities in support of key corporate initiatives. Our cross-functional team of data scientists and engineers develops and deploys statistical models, machine learning algorithms, and AI solutions that drive business decisions and interactions with our customers. The team partners with leaders across the enterprise to deliver end-to-end data science solutions for Marketing, Loyalty, Global Sales, Finance, Franchise Development, eCommerce, and Brands. Examples include customer lifetime value, hotel performance forecasting, site selection, and generative AI applications. In addition to building models, the Data Scientist will contribute to upskilling the team, provide guidance on data sources for ingestion to improve modeling effectiveness, and collaborate with the Data Delivery and IT teams to ensure Choice’s AWS analytics platform can meet future state needs for machine learning, generative AI, and predictive analytics.

Requirements

• 5+ years of analytical experience, with a background in predictive modeling and statistical techniques such as regression, segmentation and clustering, and time series analysis.
• Hands-on experience building with large language models (LLMs).
• Experience with Machine Learning approaches and techniques such as decision trees, gradient boosted models, and neural networks, including standard data preparation and model evaluation practices.
• Familiarity with LLMs, prompt engineering, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and agentic workflows.
• Comfort with (or strong enthusiasm to adopt) AI-assisted development tools such as Claude Code; agentic coding workflows are a major part of our day-to-day work.
• Working knowledge of Python/R and SQL, along with Git version control and code review practices.
• Familiarity with the ML and AI model development lifecycle from prototyping through deployment and monitoring in production.
• Comfortable with lightweight data engineering, data quality monitoring, data profiling, and preparing datasets.
• Knowledge of AWS services such as Redshift, Athena, S3, Lambda, SageMaker AI, Bedrock, and AgentCore; AWS certification is a plus.
• Experience with geospatial analytics and tools (e.g., ArcGIS, GeoPandas, PostGIS) is a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and Word.
• Must be an energized self-starter who can work independently and who drives for results.
• Ability to evaluate business trends and develop successful solutions that enhance business performance.
• Effectively partner with business stakeholders to ensure integrated and timely insights to the enterprise.
• Has strong intellectual curiosity and is an active learner, able to enhance personal, professional, and business growth through new knowledge and experiences.
• Results oriented; delivers results under difficult conditions and demonstrates balanced judgment under pressure.
• Writes clean, clear, and well-documented code that others can read, maintain, and build on.
• Good communication skills, including oral (one on one and presentations to large audiences) and written.

Nice To Haves

• AWS certification is a plus.
• Experience with geospatial analytics and tools (e.g., ArcGIS, GeoPandas, PostGIS) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead modeling initiatives that drive enterprise decisions, working with stakeholders to solve strategic and operational needs with statistical models and AI.
• Deliver timely ad hoc analyses and product presentations, including geospatial analyses, that communicate insights to stakeholders.
• Work with IT and the Data Delivery teams to enhance infrastructure needed to support real-time, machine learning, and generative AI modeling capabilities.
• Deploy solutions using AWS services such as Redshift, Athena, S3, SageMaker AI, Bedrock, and AgentCore.
• Research cutting-edge methodologies and contribute to upskilling the overall team’s capabilities, including the use of AI-assisted development tools such as Claude Code, which are core to how the team prototypes, codes, and performs analysis day to day.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Leave and paid time-off for holidays, vacation, personal, family, volunteer, sick, jury duty, bereavement, military, and religious observance.
• Financial benefits for retirement and health savings.
• Employee recognition programs.
• Discounts at Choice hotels worldwide.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior