Data Scientist, Marketing

About Upstart At Upstart, we are driven by a mission to radically reduce the cost and complexity of borrowing for all Americans. Our innovative approach leverages advanced artificial intelligence, creativity, and experimentation to reshape access to credit, empowering millions of individuals to move forward financially with clarity and confidence. As the leading AI-powered lending marketplace, we collaborate with banks and credit unions to provide affordable credit options through technology that is both deeply human and remarkably intelligent. Our platform processes over one million predictions per borrower utilizing more than 3,000 signals, enabling smarter and fairer credit decisions for a diverse customer base. Beyond the numbers, our impact is profound—each idea, voice, and contribution brings us closer to a world where credit is never a barrier to personal and financial growth. We are a digital-first organization, offering flexibility for our team members to work from wherever they thrive, whether remotely or from our offices in Columbus, Austin, the Bay Area, or New York City. We foster in-person connections through team onsite events, planning sessions, and creative collaborations, ensuring a balanced and engaging work environment. If you are passionate about solving meaningful problems, eager to innovate with purpose, and motivated by work that truly makes a difference, Upstart offers an inspiring platform for your talents. About The Role We are seeking a highly skilled Marketing Science Lead to join our Growth, Product, and Operations Analytics team. In this role, you will be at the forefront of our marketing measurement efforts, guiding how we evaluate and optimize our marketing spend across multiple channels including direct mail, paid search, social media, video, mobile, email, brand campaigns, and lending partnerships. Your primary responsibility will be to develop and implement causal inference methodologies that accurately determine the true impact of each marketing channel, even in situations where traditional testing is not feasible. You will serve as a trusted partner to marketing, finance, and product leaders, translating complex measurement results into actionable insights and budget recommendations. This position offers an opportunity to shape the future of marketing attribution at Upstart by building robust models, automating reporting processes, mentoring analysts, and ensuring our measurement techniques are both rigorous and practical. Your work will directly influence strategic decisions, helping allocate resources more effectively and ensuring that marketing investments deliver measurable value. As a key member of the team, you will thrive in an environment that values innovation, analytical rigor, and impactful results. Qualifications 8+ years of experience in data science or related quantitative roles, with significant focus on marketing or growth measurementHands-on experience designing and analyzing incrementality tests, with a strong understanding of causal inference beyond standard A/B testingProficiency in marketing mix modeling and multi-touch attribution, including knowledge of their limitations and appropriate applicationStrong programming skills in Python and SQLProven track record of measurement work that has influenced marketing budget decisionsExcellent communication skills, capable of explaining complex technical concepts to non-technical audiencesGood judgment in assessing when results are robust enough to inform decision-makingAbility to work independently, scope projects, and drive initiatives to completion in ambiguous environmentsPreferred: A PhD or master’s degree in statistics, economics, computer science, or a related quantitative fieldFamiliarity with AI tools that enhance analysis and reporting processes Responsibilities Lead incrementality measurement efforts across various marketing channels, collaborating with analysts on test design and interpretationApply causal inference techniques to evaluate marketing effectiveness in scenarios lacking clean experimental dataDevelop and maintain attribution models that accurately distribute credit across channels, including those without direct user clicksTranslate measurement insights into strategic spend allocation recommendations for marketing and finance teamsIntegrate marketing mix models with experimental and attribution data, assessing their reliability and resolving discrepanciesAutomate recurring measurement reports to streamline insights delivery and free up time for analysis and recommendationsMentor and review measurement work of analysts, fostering a culture of rigorous analytical practiceContinuously improve measurement methodologies and tools to adapt to evolving marketing strategies and data environments Benefits Competitive base salary with bonus opportunities and quarterly equity grantsRetirement plans including a 401(k) or Group Retirement Savings Plan with company matchComprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverageHealth Savings Account contributions for eligible US plansPaid time off, sick leave, and holidays aligned with local policiesPaid family and parental leave to support work-life balanceEmployee Assistance Program providing mental health and life resourcesFinancial wellness resources, including planning tools and concierge servicesWellness and productivity allowances to support physical, emotional, and professional growthOpportunities for community engagement through team events and employee resource groupsOnsite perks at physical office locations, such as catered meals and fully stocked micro-kitchens Equal Opportunity Upstart is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We believe that a variety of perspectives and experiences enrich our community and drive innovation. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status. We are dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations during the application and employment