Job description
Want to help us help others? We’re hiring!
GoFundMe is the world’s most powerful community for good, dedicated to helping people help each other. By uniting individuals and nonprofits in one place, GoFundMe makes it easy and safe for people to ask for help and support causes—for themselves and each other. Together, our community has raised more than $40 billion since 2010. Join us!
We’re looking for a Staff Data Scientist to serve as the senior individual contributor driving the evolution of performance marketing science at GoFundMe. This role will own the technical roadmap, modeling frameworks, and AI capabilities that help our Marketing and Growth teams make high-confidence, ROI-positive investment decisions. You’ll collaborate with leaders across Data Science, Marketing, Finance, and Engineering to design scalable systems that blend causal inference, forecasting, and reinforcement learning to optimize performance across channels and audiences.
Candidates considered for this role will be located in the San Francisco, Bay Area. There will be an in-office requirement of 3x a week.
The Job
- Lead end-to-end marketing data science initiatives: Define analytical strategy, develop models, and deliver insights that drive measurable impact on user acquisition, retention and efficiency.
- Develop advanced attribution and causal frameworks: Build and/or evolve models including multi-touch attribution, media mix modeling, causal inference, and uplift modeling to quantify incremental impact.
- Advance predictive and prescriptive modeling: Design time-series, optimization, and budget allocation models to forecast ROI and guide marketing investment decisions.
- Operationalize AI in marketing workflows: Research and implement AI/ML systems for targeting, bidding, and creative optimization by leveraging predictive and generative methods to improve campaign efficiency.
- Enhance experimentation frameworks: Partner with engineering to expand statistical testing infrastructure, ensuring scalable, accurate causal measurement across campaigns and channels.
- Act as a technical thought leader: Shape best practices in feature engineering, model versioning, validation, and deployment for marketing science applications.
- Explore adaptive experimentation: Research, apply and refine multi-arm and contextual bandit algorithms to optimize budget allocation and message selection in near real-time.
- Collaborate cross-functionally: Partner with Marketing, Growth, and Finance teams to interpret insights, influence strategy, and align data science work with business goals.
- Mentor and elevate: Guide other data scientists technically through design reviews, model audits, and shared learning sessions, helping scale best practices across the org.
You
Experience & Education
- 8+ years of experience in data science or applied ML, with at least 5 years focused on paid marketing or growth analytics.
- Master’s or Ph.D. in a quantitative discipline (Statistics, Economics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or related field) or equivalent applied experience.
Technical Skills
- Advanced proficiency in Python (NumPy, pandas, scikit-learn) and SQL (window functions, performance tuning).
- Hands-on experience designing, analyzing, and interpreting A/B tests and experimentation frameworks.
- Expertise in statistical inference, causal modeling (regression, propensity scoring), uplift modeling, and marketing attribution models (multi-touch attribution, Markov chains).
- Proven track record in time-series forecasting and budget allocation models.
- Familiarity with ETL frameworks, data warehousing, and APIs; hands-on experience with Databricks and Snowflake is a plus.
- Data visualization skills using Looker or equivalent BI tools; strong storytelling and presentation abilities.
Leadership & Collaboration
- Exceptional communication skills: able to influence non-technical stakeholders and present complex analyses to executive audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to define technical strategy, elevate team practices, and drive high-impact initiatives.
- Experience mentoring and developing junior data professionals.
Preferred
- Familiarity with SQL-based experimentation platforms (Optimizely, GrowthBook) and web/mobile analytics tools (Google Analytics, Amplitude).
- Version control proficiency (Git) and collaborative coding workflows.
Why you’ll love it here
- Make an Impact: Be part of a mission-driven organization making a positive difference in millions of lives every year.
- Innovative Environment: Work with a diverse, passionate, and talented team in a fast-paced, forward-thinking atmosphere.
- Collaborative Team: Join a fun and collaborative team that works hard and celebrates success together.
- Competitive Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay and comprehensive healthcare benefits.
- Holistic Support: Enjoy financial assistance for things like hybrid work, family planning, along with generous parental leave, flexible time-off policies, and mental health and wellness resources to support your overall well-being.
- Growth Opportunities: Participate in learning, development, and recognition programs to help you thrive and grow.
- Commitment to DEI: Contribute to diversity, equity, and inclusion through ongoing initiatives and employee resource groups.
- Community Engagement: Make a difference through our volunteering and Gives Back programs.
We live by our core values: impatient to be great, find a way, earn trust every day, fueled by purpose. Be a part of something bigger with us!
GoFundMe is proud to be an equal opportunity employer that actively pursues candidates of diverse backgrounds and experiences. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity, nationality or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy status, marital status, age, medical condition, mental or physical disability, or military or veteran status.
The total annual salary for this full-time position is $166,500 - $249,500 + equity + benefits. As this is a hybrid position, the salary range was determined by role, level, and possible location across the US. Individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range based on your location during the hiring process.
If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete a job application or a job interview or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact us at [email protected].
Global Data Privacy Notice for Job Candidates and Applicants:
Depending on your location, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or certain US privacy laws may regulate the way we manage the data of job applicants. Our full notice outlining how data will be processed as part of the application procedure for applicable locations is available here. By submitting your application, you are agreeing to our use and processing of your data as required.
Learn more about GoFundMe:
We’re proud to partner with GoFundMe.org, an independent public charity, to extend the reach and impact of our generous community, while helping drive critical social change. You can learn more about GoFundMe.org’s activities and impact in their FY ‘24 annual report.
Our annual “Year in Help” report reflects our community’s impact in advancing our mission of helping people help each other.
For recent company news and announcements, visit our Newsroom.
