Data Science Contract Jobs in Atlanta, GA (NOW HIRING)

Scientific Games is the global leader in lottery games, sports betting and technology, and the partner of choice for government lotteries. From cutting-edge backend systems to exciting entertainment experiences and trailblazing retail and digital solutions, we elevate play every day. We push game designs to the next level and are pioneers in data analytics and iLottery. Built on a foundation of trusted partnerships, Scientific Games combines relentless innovation, legendary performance, and unwavering security to responsibly propel the global lottery industry ever forward.

Job Summary:

Owns the translation of roadmap and product definitions into executable work across Data Products & Analytics, Platform Engineering, and Data Science/ML. Makes execution predictable through better artifacts, not more process - usable epics, cross-board visibility, and a tight program rhythm. Does not direct PE or DS sprint work, is not a status-tracking role, and carries this as an individual contributor.

Scope:

Owns epic quality, cross-board visibility, and the DP&A program rhythm across the DP&A, DS, and PE boards, working as an individual contributor. Reports to the Senior Director, Data Products & Analytics.

Essential Job Functions:

• Convert roadmap items and product definitions into epics sized for DS and PE sprint planning

• Draft independently, then iterate with technical leads before work goes on a board

• Own epic structure, acceptance criteria, sequence, and dependencies - implementation detail stays with technical leads

• Hold a Ready-to-Execute standard: three clarifying questions means the epic wasn't ready

• Track active work across the DP&A, DS, and PE boards; give a coherent picture of what's in flight, blocked, or at risk

• Identify sequencing conflicts and cross-team dependencies before they become sprint blockers

• Own the Jira process and sprint cadence for the Data Products & Analytics team

• Facilitate planning, review, and retro ceremonies - decision-oriented, not status-reporting exercises

• Manage the backlog so what's in Jira reflects what the team is actually trying to do

• Set the standard for epic and process quality that other contributors follow across DP&A - without a reporting relationship

Qualifications / Skills / Knowledge:

Required

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; Agile/Scrum or PMP certification a plus

• 7+ years in program or project management within a data or software delivery context, with deep hands-on ownership (people-management experience not required)

• Program management depth - knows what makes an epic actually usable

• Technical grounding without engineering scope - enough to draft an epic a senior engineer can work from, pending iteration

• Cross-functional operating instincts - visibility across teams they don't control, without creating overhead

• Jira fluency as a process designer, not just a user - board structure, epic standards, a backlog tied to real priorities

• Strong written communication - artifacts clear enough to act on without a meeting

• Influence without authority - holds others to a quality standard (e.g., Ready-to-Execute) with no reporting relationship

Desired

• Experience designing process across multiple teams

• Exposure to data, analytics, or ML delivery environments

Authority / Decision Making:

Authority To

• Set the epic and Ready-to-Execute standard for DP&A work

• Own the DP&A Jira process, board structure, and sprint cadence

• Sequence work and flag cross-team dependencies and program risks

Requires Approval For

• Roadmap priorities and commitments (owned by the Director/Senior Director)

• Changes to Platform Engineering or DS sprint scope (owned by their leads)

Key Contacts

Internal:

• Senior Director, Data Products & Analytics

• Data Products leadership

• Platform Engineering leads

• Data Science/ML leads

External:

• Atlassian/Jira tooling vendors (as needed)

• External engineering and development teams

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, bend, use hands, operate a computer, and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus working with computer and business equipment.

Work Conditions

Scientific Games, LLC and its affiliates (collectively, "SG") are engaged in highly regulated gaming and lottery businesses. As a result, certain SG employees may, among other things, be required to obtain a gaming or other license(s), undergo background investigations or security checks, or meet certain standards dictated by law, regulation or contracts. In order to ensure SG complies with its regulatory and contractual commitments, as a condition to hiring and continuing to employ its employees, SG requires all of its employees to meet those requirements that are necessary to fulfill their individual roles. As a prerequisite to employment with SG (to the extent permitted by law), you shall be asked to consent to SG conducting a due diligence/background investigation on you.
This job description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive; it is intended to identify major responsibilities and requirements of the job. The employee in this position may be requested to perform other job-related tasks and responsibilities than those stated above.

SG is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants due to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. If you'd like more information about your equal employment opportunity rights as an applicant under the law, please click here for EEOC Poster.