Senior Data Scientist, People Analytics

Avalara, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 136,000 - 272,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus eligibility

Paid time off

Parental leave

Job summary

Avalara, Inc. seeks a senior People Analytics Data Scientist to architect AI-powered analytics that shape our global workforce strategy. You will own end-to-end analytics—from data foundations to delivering predictive insights—that inform executive decisions in a rigorous, evidence-based SaaS environment.

Engage with senior People, Finance, and business leaders, design and deploy NLP and ML models, and drive impact across the organization in a fast-paced remote-ready setting.

Qualifications

• 5+ years applying advanced analytics methods to people or business decisions.
• Proficiency in Python and SQL; experience with R is a plus.
• Experience with employee listening platforms and NLP/text analytics.

Responsibilities

• Design and deploy AI-powered analytics solutions at scale.
• Lead end-to-end analytics projects from problem framing to insight adoption.
• Partner with senior leaders to translate insights into interventions and measure impact.

Skills

Python

SQL

NLP

Causal inference

Machine learning

Experimentation

Communication to executives

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in a quantitative field

Job description

What You'll Do

Avalara is looking for a senior People Analytics Data Scientist who will architect advanced analytics and AI-powered solutions that shape our global workforce strategy. In this role, you'll go far beyond traditional reporting and apply machine learning, causal inference, and AI-augmented listening tools to answer the most complex questions about how people work, grow, and thrive at Avalara.

What sets this role apart is true end-to-end ownership: from building data foundations and designing AI-assisted listening programs to delivering predictive insights that drive executive decisions. You'll operate at the intersection of people science, AI, and strategy and partner with senior People, Finance, and business leaders in a rigorous, evidence-based global SaaS environment. This role reports to the Head of People Analytics.

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship

#LI-Remote

AI-Powered People Analytics

• Design and deploy machine learning and predictive models, including natural language processing (NLP), sentiment analysis, and generative AI applications to surface workforce signals at scale.
• Leverage AI tools to automate data pipelines, accelerate hypothesis testing, and enhance the speed and accuracy of insight delivery.
• Serve as a practitioner and advocate for AI-first analytics, helping the People team adopt new AI capabilities and embedding them into everyday workflows.

Employee Listening & Workforce Intelligence

• Lead the analytics approach for employee listening programs, including engagement surveys, pulse checks, lifecycle touchpoints, and always-on feedback channels—translating signal into actionable intelligence.
• Build NLP and text analytics models to mine open-ended survey responses, exit interviews, and qualitative feedback at scale, identifying themes, sentiment trends, and early attrition signals.
• Design listening architectures that integrate structured (HRIS, performance) and unstructured (survey, verbatim, Slack/Teams signals) data to produce a holistic view of the employee experience.
• Partner with People leaders to close the loop and translate listening insights into targeted interventions and measuring their impact over time.

Advanced Statistical Modeling & Experimentation

• Design and execute rigorous analyses using experimental design, causal inference, and quasi-experimental methods (e.g., difference-in-differences, propensity score matching) to evaluate the effectiveness of people programs.
• Build, validate, and refine predictive and explanatory models using R, Python, and SQL against large, complex HR and business datasets.
• Manage the full analytical lifecycle: data preparation, feature engineering, model evaluation, and stakeholder-ready insight delivery.

Strategic Partnership & Influence

• Collaborate directly with senior People, Finance, and business leaders to frame hypotheses, ensure analytical rigor, and champion data-driven decision-making.
• Communicate complex analytical findings—including AI model outputs and listening program results, in clear, compelling narratives for non-technical executive audiences.
• Deliver multiple high-impact analytical workstreams in parallel, balancing rigor, speed, and business relevance.

What You'll Need to be Successful

• 5+ years applying advanced analytics methods (experimental design, quasi-experimental approaches, predictive modeling) to people or business decisions.
• Proficiency in Python and SQL; experience with R is a plus. Hands-on experience building, validating, and iterating on statistical or ML models using large, complex datasets.
• Experience with employee listening platforms (e.g., Qualtrics, Glint, Culture Amp, Medallia) and the ability to design analytics strategies around them.
• Demonstrated use of NLP, text analytics, or sentiment analysis to extract insight from unstructured employee feedback data.
• Familiarity with AI/ML tools and frameworks—including LLMs and generative AI—and a track record of applying them to real-world analytics problems.
• Proven ability to deliver end-to-end analytical projects, from problem definition through insight adoption, in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience influencing senior, non-technical stakeholders with data and translating analytical complexity into clear recommendations.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in a quantitative field (statistics, economics, data science, computer science, I/O psychology) or equivalent practical experience.

Pay Range Details

The base pay range(s) below are provided in compliance with state specific laws. Pay ranges may be different in other locations.

• Colorado $136,400-$225,000 [annually]
• Washington $136,400-$248,600 [annually]
• California $136,400-$272,500 [annually]
• NYC $150,800-$272,500 [annually]

The pay range above is the general base pay range for a successful candidate in the state listed. The successful candidate's actual salary/wage may be based on various factors, such as geographic location, candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

This role is eligible for an annual bonus based on individual and company performance, depending on the terms of the applicable plan and the employee's role.

Avalara is an AI-first Company

AI is embedded in our workflows, decision-making, and products. Success here requires embracing AI as an essential capability.

• You'll bring experience using AI and AI-related technologies, ready to thrive here.
• You'll apply AI every day to business challenges - improving efficiency, contributing solutions, and driving results for your team, our company, and our customers.
• You'll grow with AI by staying curious about new trends and best practices, and by sharing what you learn so others can benefit too.

How We'll Take Care of You

Total Rewards

In addition to a great compensation package, paid time off, and paid parental leave, many Avalara employees are eligible for bonuses.

Health & Wellness

Benefits vary by location but generally include private medical, life, and disability insurance.

Inclusive culture and diversity

Avalara strongly supports diversity, equity, and inclusion, and is committed to integrating them into our business practices and our organizational culture. We also have a total of 8 employee-run resource groups, each with senior leadership and exec sponsorship.

What You Need To Know About Avalara

We're defining the relationship between tax and tech.

We've already built an industry-leading cloud compliance platform, processing over 54 billion customer API calls and over 6.6 million tax returns a year. Our growth is real - we're a billion dollar business - and we're not slowing down until we've achieved our mission - to be part of every transaction in the world.

We're bright, innovative, and disruptive, like the orange we love to wear. It captures our quirky spirit and optimistic mindset. It shows off the culture we've designed, that empowers our people to win. We've been different from day one. Join us, and your career will be too.

We're An Equal Opportunity Employer

Supporting diversity and inclusion is a cornerstone of our company — we don't want people to fit into our culture, but to enrich it. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, gender, national orientation, disability, sexual orientation, US Veteran status, or any other factor protected by law. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.