KTP
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are a unique UK-wide activity that help businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity by making better use of the knowledge, technology and skills within universities, colleges and research organisations.
Further information is available at: https://iuk-ktp.org.uk/.
THE PROJECT
The University of Essex in partnership with Unique Homestays Ltd (UHS) offers an exciting opportunity to a graduate with the relevant skills and knowledge to build a custom dynamic pricing platform for a luxury holiday rental company, using AI and ML, to improve revenue forecasting, pricing accuracy, and scalability.
DUTIES OF THE POST
The duties of the post fall under three key categories (Technical, Resource and Project Management) and will include but not be limited to:
• Processing, analysing and labelling disperse/complex data.• Working with specialist staff at UHS to devise a suitable classification strategy for property types.• Creating and integrating complex algorithms.• Working with UHS IT staff to integrate the custom platform into UHS existing IT systems, with the input of UHS IT staff.• Process, analyse, clean, and label complex and dispersed datasets from multiple sources.• Balance commercial deliverables with academic outputs, including contributions to research publications and conference papers where appropriate.• Embed technical knowledge within UHS through documentation, training, and capacity building.• Developing a swift understanding of UHS, the luxury holiday let market and the relationship between UHS and their property owners.• Communicating technical concepts to non-technical staff/UHS stakeholders.• Working on technical processes in a largely non-technical staff base and leadership team.
A full list of duties and responsibilities can be found within the job pack.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
Qualifications
• MSc in Economics, Business Analytics, Operational Research, Industrial Engineering, Mathematics, Data Science or similar/suitable subject.
Experience
• Demonstrable experience in data processing, analysis, cleaning, and labelling/classification• Proficiency in supervised/unsupervised learning, such as time series, clustering and regression• Demonstrable experience in model development, training and testing• Demonstrable experience in algorithm development• Experienced user of Python, Microsoft Excel (advanced), Power BI, SQL/SAS/Tableau• Experience of dealing with stakeholders and balancing the needs of each• Project and budget management experience• Experience of understanding and mitigating against risk• Experience, or willingness to contribute to academic journals and/or conference papers
Skills/Abilities
• High level business and analytical skills, a comprehensive knowledge/experience in market research, data monitoring and analysis, pricing strategies/optimisation and revenue management• Knowledge in optimisation modelling and pricing• Strong quantitative and data visualisation foundation• Excellent communications skills, with high levels of written/spoken English• Approachable, reliable, energetic and willing to work both independently and as part of a team• An understanding of the need to balance numerous academic/commercial outputs• Ability to manage expectations and maintain communication in a multi-partner project• The ability to recognise and carry out personal development opportunities• An interest in the luxury holiday lets sector• Ability to work with C suite/non technical decision makers • Stakeholder negotiation and requirement gathering experience • Ability to deliver training and knowledge transfer • Experience writing clear technical documentation
Desirable
• PhD in Economics, Business Analytics, Operational Research, Industrial Engineering, Mathematics, Data Science or similar/suitable subject.• Experience working with large scale time series and demand forecasting models • Knowledge of reinforcement learning or dynamic optimisation methods • Experience with MLOps tools (MLflow, Kubeflow, Airflow) • Understanding of hospitality/short stay rental tech (Airbnb, self catering markets) • Knowledge of revenue management concepts • Ability to translate business constraints into pricing algorithms • Experience conducting competitor benchmarking and price sensitivity analysis• Ability to self manage a project with dual academic/industry supervision • Strong motivation to lead a strategic innovation project within a commercial setting
BENEFITS
As a KTP Associate, the post will offer the following benefits:
• A personal development budget of £4000 (exclusive of salary). • Management training and mentoring by an Innovate UK KTP Adviser. • An interesting and challenging role, with exposure to a variety of stakeholders.• Full access to university resources to complete the project.• World-leading Academic and Company project supervision, with project support by a dedicated, sector leading KTP Office.
LOCATION
Unique Homestays Ltd Stanley Lain HouseTrebudannonNewquayCornwallTR8 4LP
Please note that the role holder will be based at Unique Homestays offices located in Newquay (hybrid working is offered) but may be expected to travel to the University of Essex Colchester Campus from time to time.
Please see the attached job pack, which contains a full job description and person specification which outlines the full duties, skills, qualifications and experience needed for this role plus more information relating to the post. We recommend you read this information carefully before making an application. Applications should be made on-line, but if you would like advice or help in making an application, or need information in a different format, please contact resourcing@essex.ac.uk.