Lead Data Scientist - Experimentation

The Walt Disney Company

The Walt Disney Company

Data Science
Santa Monica, CA, USA · San Francisco, CA, USA · New York, NY, USA
USD 152,200-223,600 / year + Equity
Posted on Aug 26, 2025

Job Posting Title:

Lead Data Scientist - Experimentation

Req ID:

10129583

Job Description:

Join Disney's Direct to Consumer Experimentation and Causal Inference Data Science team as a Lead Data Scientist, where you'll transform complex data into strategic business decisions that shape the future of streaming entertainment. Collaborating closely with cross-functional partners across the Business, you'll architect and execute sophisticated experiments that optimize every aspect of the subscriber journey—from initial acquisition through long-term retention and revenue growth.

As part of Disney's rapidly evolving streaming ecosystem, you'll tackle complex business challenges that directly impact millions of subscribers across Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN. Your insights will shape Product roadmaps, pricing strategies, and user experience optimizations that drive measurable business growth.

What You'll Do

  • Design and Execute Experiments: Lead end-to-end A/B testing initiatives and Geo Experiments, from hypothesis formation and experimental design to statistical analysis and business recommendations
  • Apply Causal Inference Methods: Leverage advanced techniques including difference-in-differences, instrumental variables, propensity score analysis, and other quasi-experimental designs to extract actionable insights from observational data
  • Build Scalable Solutions: Develop experimentation and causal inference tools and frameworks that can scale across Disney's businesses
  • Deliver Strategic Insights: Partner with stakeholders to identify optimization opportunities and translate complex analytical findings into clear business recommendations
  • Drive Innovation: Be a thought leader on robust and rigorous analysis throughout the Data Intelligence and Analytics team
  • Influence Executive Decisions: Present findings and recommendations to senior leadership, effectively communicating statistical concepts to non-technical stakeholders

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in advanced Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science or comparable field of study
  • 7+ years of experience conducting strategic analyses and communicating insights to drive decision-making.
  • Expertise in Python, R, or similar languages, including experience building software packages for statistical analysis.
  • Expertise in SQL.
  • Proficient in analyzing data and developing ML models using Python (with ML frameworks like LGBM, scikit-learn, etc.).
  • Strong background in statistical modeling: regression, classification, time series forecasting, causal inference, and other techniques.
  • Highly collaborative with excellent written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated experience presenting directly to Executive stakeholders
  • Demonstrated ability to translate complex data into clear and actionable narratives, and the ability to communicate opportunities and challenges to multiple stakeholders.
  • Robust knowledge of causal inference approaches such as propensity scores, synthetic controls, difference-in-differences, doubly robust methods, meta learners, and uplift modeling.
  • Deep understanding of assumptions required for causal inferences, including the foundational statistical concepts that underpin the approaches.
  • Proven ability to manage end-to-end experimentation and causal inference analyses, from initial requirements to impactful outcomes.
  • Exceptional curiosity and a drive for insights that impact business outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Masters or PhD in quantitative field with an emphasis on experimentation or causal inference.
  • Experience applying strategic thinking to analyze market trends and consumer insights, with preference for candidates who have worked with subscription-based business models.
  • Ability to adapt quickly in a fast-moving environment with shifting priorities.
  • Familiarity with data platforms and applications such as Databricks, Jupyter, Snowflake, and Github.

#DISNEYANALYTICS

#DISNEYTECH

The hiring range for this position in Santa Monica, CA and Glendale, CA is $152,200 - $204,100 per year, in NYC area is $159,500-$213,900, and in San Francisco area $166,800-$223,600. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

Job Posting Segment:

Direct to Consumer

Job Posting Primary Business:

DTC Analytics and Data Science

Primary Job Posting Category:

Data Science

Employment Type:

Full time

Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Santa Monica, CA, USA

Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code:

USA - CA - Market St, USA - NY - 7 Hudson Square

Date Posted:

2025-08-25