Lead Data Scientist

Upwork ($UPWK) is the world’s largest work marketplace, connecting businesses with highly skilled professionals worldwide. From entrepreneurs to Fortune 100 enterprises, companies trust Upwork’s platform to access expert talent, leverage AI-powered work solutions, and drive meaningful business outcomes.

Upwork’s AI-powered platform has facilitated over $20 billion in economic opportunity for professionals worldwide. With professionals spanning 10,000+ skills, including AI and machine learning, software development, sales and marketing, customer support, finance and accounting, and more, Upwork empowers businesses of all sizes to scale, innovate, and build agile teams.

 As a Lead Data Scientist in Upwork’s Marketplace Dynamics & Data Science team, you will play a critical role in understanding and optimizing the dynamics of the world’s largest work marketplace. Your expertise in data science will help shape strategic executive-level decisions across Supply and Demand dynamics, Macroeconomic and Generative AI influences, Customer behavior / segmentation / lifetime value, and Marketplace efficiency.

This role requires a highly analytical thinker with a deep understanding of predictive modeling, causal inference, and experimentation. You will work cross-functionally with teams in Finance, Product, Engineering, and Marketing to uncover insights, build models, and develop recommendations that drive business growth and marketplace efficiency.

Your Responsibilities:

• Work with large datasets to model marketplace dynamics with econometric and data science foundations.

• Apply technical expertise with quantitative analysis, experimentation, data mining.

• Generate insights on business opportunities arising from AI, macroeconomic shifts, and marketplace liquidity.

• Partner cross-functionally with Analytics, Finance, Marketing, Product, and Engineering.

What it takes to catch our eye:

• Master’s or PhD in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Economics, Machine Learning, or a related field.

• 5-8+ years of experience in Data Science, AI/ML, or Econometrics with causal inference / predictive modeling.

• Succinctly communicate data insights into business context for real world business decisioning.

• Build and gain trust with relationships to drive decisions in a consensus manner. 

• Operate, lead and influence in an agile startup environment and high-performing team.

Come change how the world works.

At Upwork, you’ll shape the future of work for a global, remote-first workforce, creating economic opportunities for professionals worldwide. While we have a physical office in Palo Alto, we currently hire full-time employees in 21 U.S. states, making it easier than ever to join our mission from wherever you call home.

Our culture is built on trust, risk-taking, customer focus, and excellence, all in service of our core mission: to create economic opportunities so people have better lives. We embrace authenticity and inclusion, encouraging everyone to bring their whole selves to work. Personal and professional growth is a priority here, supported through development programs, mentorship, and our Upwork Belonging Communities.

We’re proud to offer benefits that go beyond the basics, including comprehensive medical coverage for you and your family, unlimited PTO, a 401(k) plan with matching, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Visit our Life at Upwork page to learn more about our values, working principles, and the overall employee experience.

Ready to help shape the future of work? Check out our Careers page and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X. to learn more about life at Upwork.

Upwork is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics under federal, state, or local law.

Please note that a criminal background check may be required once a conditional job offer is made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with applicable law, including the California Fair Chance Act and local Fair Chance ordinances.