Data Scientist, People Analytics

Whatnot; Seattle, San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles (WA, CA, NY, CA); Remote; USD 185,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Whatnot is seeking a People Analytics Data Scientist to lead analytics strategies and practices. This role involves transforming data into actionable insights, optimizing talent metrics, and driving employee engagement. The ideal candidate thrives in fast-paced environments and excels in data storytelling.

Benefits

Flexible Time Off

Health Insurance

Remote Work Support

Home Office Allowances

Wellness Stipends

Parental Leave

Retirement Plans

Qualifications

• 6+ years in Data Analytics, with 3–6 years in People/HR Analytics.
• Experience establishing and scaling a people analytics function.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute the comprehensive people analytics strategy.
• Develop dashboards and reports to communicate insights.
• Build and maintain scalable data pipelines for analysis.

Skills

Data Analytics

Critical Thinking

Communication

Storytelling

Business Acumen

Tools

SQL

Python

R

Tableau

Power BI

Workday

Job description

Whatnot

Whatnot is the largest livestream shopping platform in North America and Europe to buy, sell, and discover the things you love. We’re building the future of ecommerce, bringing together community, shopping, and entertainment. We are committed to our values, and as a remote co-located team, we operate out of hubs within the US, UK, Ireland, Poland, and Germany today.

We’re innovating in the fast-paced world of live auctions from fashion, beauty, electronics to collectibles like trading cards, comic books, and even live plants. Whatnot has something for everyone.

And, we’re growing. Whatnot has been one of the fastest-growing marketplaces, and we’re hiring forward-thinking problem solvers across all functional areas.

We are seeking a dynamic People Analytics Data Scientist with a proven track record of success in building out and leading people analytics strategies and practices in a fast-paced environment. We are looking for a leader with expertise in transforming data into actionable insights to empower talent decisions, optimize talent metrics aligned with business objectives, and strengthen the analytical capabilities of the people team. This role combines strategic oversight, hands-on execution, and technical expertise to help Whatnot find top talent, improve team development and retention, and drive employee engagement.

The People Analytics Data Scientist will:

1. Lead and execute the comprehensive people analytics strategy aligned with organizational goals in partnership with the People team, business leaders, data scientists, and IT.
2. Build out the people analytics infrastructure based on strong foundations, organizational efficiency, predictive insights, and prescriptive impacts to create competitive advantages.
3. Develop and deliver dashboards, reports, and presentations that effectively communicate insights to managers, leaders, and stakeholders.
4. Build and maintain scalable data pipelines by integrating disparate data sources for analysis-ready formats and automated reporting/monitoring of organizational health metrics.
5. Analyze data patterns and utilize predictive modeling to surface insights and forecast organizational needs, aiding in top talent identification, employee retention, and fostering a positive company culture.
6. Collaborate with People Business Partners and senior leaders to understand operations, build cross-functional relationships, and translate data into actionable strategies addressing Whatnot’s challenges.
7. Ensure data integrity, quality, and system alignment by partnering with Data Engineering, IT, and People Teams; support governance and access controls for employee data.
8. Identify, implement, and manage people analytics tools and platforms to meet organizational needs and enable self-service capabilities.
9. Drive communication and change management to ensure successful adoption of analytics initiatives and data-driven people processes.
10. Uphold responsible data use by maintaining privacy, ethical standards, and fairness in all analytics initiatives.

US Based Role:

Required to be within commuting distance of our hubs in Los Angeles, Seattle, New York, or San Francisco.

About You

We seek an intellectually curious, highly motivated leader to be a foundational member of our Data team. You thrive in ambiguous environments and enjoy building from scratch. You are a blend of data scientist, storyteller, and business partner, passionate about uncovering insights that improve people decisions. You possess a strong technical foundation in people analytics and excel at translating data into compelling narratives for leadership. You are hands-on, strategic, and comfortable balancing multiple projects in a fast-paced setting.

As our first People Analytics Data Scientist, you will drive the scientific rigor of our workforce analytics strategy, working cross-functionally with People, Finance, and Business teams, as well as data science and engineering partners. You will serve as a technical authority on statistical methods, predictive modeling, and workforce analytics, mentoring others and shaping best practices.

You should have strong critical thinking, excellent communication skills, and the ability to influence through data. You are adept at analyzing data across the employee lifecycle to identify trends and insights related to talent acquisition, retention, engagement, and performance, while maintaining high data quality standards.

You are comfortable working quickly and iteratively, balancing scientific rigor with practical business needs. You enjoy making an impact across multiple teams and functions without feeling overwhelmed by the scope of work.

Requirements include:

• 6+ years in Data Analytics, with 3–6 years in People/HR Analytics or similar in high-growth environments.
• Experience establishing and scaling a people analytics function.
• Proficiency in SQL and Python or R, with experience building ETL pipelines and integrating data from multiple systems.
• Commitment to ethical data use, ensuring privacy and transparency.
• Experience with scalable, automated reporting using HRIS (preferably Workday), people platforms (e.g., OneModel, Ashby), and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).
• Knowledge of HR data and processes, including retention, engagement surveys, talent metrics, remote work, and workforce planning.
• Familiarity with survey design and employee research methodologies is a plus.
• Strong business acumen: ability to translate data into actionable insights supporting strategic decisions.
• Experience working cross-functionally with leadership teams.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with a knack for storytelling with data.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects in a dynamic environment.

Compensation for US-based applicants ranges from $185,000 to $240,000 annually, plus benefits and equity. The final salary depends on experience, skills, and level.

Benefits include flexible time off, health insurance, remote work support, home office allowances, wellness stipends, parental leave, retirement plans, and other perks.

Whatnot is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity and encourages applications from all backgrounds. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

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