Lead, Data Science and Platform
Why this role exists
Taking Root is looking for a technical leader who can bridge hands-on analytical work with strategic leadership of our data capabilities.
This role exists to ensure our data enables successful reforestation—helping us and our partners make better decisions about where to plant, how forests are growing, whether our interventions are working, and how effectively we're operating at scale. As a large-scale reforestation program working with smallholder farmers, data is at the core of how we deliver successful outcomes.
This is not a pure management role or a pure IC role. It requires someone who can move fluidly between writing code and shaping quarterly data strategy.
What You'll Actually Do
Lead technical execution and strategic direction
You will own the data science roadmap and ensure it aligns with organizational priorities.
In Practice, This Includes:
You will design, build, and maintain the analytical systems that power Taking Root's operations.
This Means:
You will act as the connective tissue between Taking Root’s Science, Engineering, Operations, and Commercial teams.
This Includes:
You will help the team stay focused and unblocked.
This Means:
By the end of your first year:
This role is a good fit for someone who has:
Experience:
How To Apply
Submit a resume and cover letter through our application portal. While we value every application, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Taking Root is committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. We hire and promote based on merit, competence, and performance, and prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind as outlined by applicable laws.
Use of AI in Hiring
Taking Root may use automated or AI-assisted tools at limited stages of the recruitment process. These tools are used to assist (not replace) human decision-making. All hiring decisions are ultimately made by people. We are committed to using technology responsibly and in line with applicable employment and privacy laws.
Taking Root is looking for a technical leader who can bridge hands-on analytical work with strategic leadership of our data capabilities.
This role exists to ensure our data enables successful reforestation—helping us and our partners make better decisions about where to plant, how forests are growing, whether our interventions are working, and how effectively we're operating at scale. As a large-scale reforestation program working with smallholder farmers, data is at the core of how we deliver successful outcomes.
This is not a pure management role or a pure IC role. It requires someone who can move fluidly between writing code and shaping quarterly data strategy.
What You'll Actually Do
Lead technical execution and strategic direction
You will own the data science roadmap and ensure it aligns with organizational priorities.
In Practice, This Includes:
- Setting technical direction for analytics—from site eligibility and forest monitoring to operational metrics and carbon quantification
- Translating business needs from across the organization into technical requirements and workplans
- Making architectural decisions about data models, pipelines, tooling, and infrastructure
You will design, build, and maintain the analytical systems that power Taking Root's operations.
This Means:
- Developing data-driven tools to track operational effectiveness, forest growth, and carbon sequestration
- Building data models and pipelines that integrate field data, satellite imagery, and operational systems into the Taking Root Platform
- Creating dashboards and reporting tools for internal and external partners
- Developing validation workflows that surface data quality issues early and systematically
- Writing production-quality code using Python and SQL
You will act as the connective tissue between Taking Root’s Science, Engineering, Operations, and Commercial teams.
This Includes:
- Working closely with the science team to productionize carbon models and methodologies
- Partnering with engineering to ensure robust infrastructure and deployment
- Translating technical constraints and possibilities for non-technical stakeholders
- Mentoring analysts and building team capability over time
You will help the team stay focused and unblocked.
This Means:
- Defining what needs to be built now vs. later, and why
- Breaking down ambiguous problems into clear workstreams
- Communicating progress, risks, and decisions clearly to leadership and peers
- Not a people manager with a team reporting to you (though mentorship is part of the role)
- Not a pure research scientist—this role is about building systems that work in production
- Not purely strategic—you will write code, debug pipelines, and solve technical problems yourself
By the end of your first year:
- We're operating significantly more efficiently—data systematically identifies operational bottlenecks, enables resource reallocation, and directly supports our ability to scale
- Partners are actively using performance data to adjust planting strategies, site management, and resource allocation in response to what's working
- Leadership routinely makes strategic decisions based on analyses you've delivered—like where to expand geographically, which interventions to double down on, or where to course-correct
- We've moved from "can we trust this number?" to "what does this tell us we should do differently?"—teams across the organization use data as a primary input for decision-making
- The data science function operates with greater autonomy—team members are owning analyses end-to-end and proactively surfacing insights without constant direction
This role is a good fit for someone who has:
Experience:
- 5–8+ years in data science, geospatial analysis, or analytics engineering roles. Even better if you have been a Data Lead or held a similar leadership role before.
- Proven ability to lead technical projects from ambiguous requirements to production systems
- Experience with geospatial tools (QGIS, ArcGIS, Google Earth Engine), Python, SQL, and modern data stacks
- Track record of working across functions and translating between technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Minimum conversational proficiency in Spanish. Even better if you have working proficiency or fluency.
- Experience with carbon accounting, climate tech, forestry, or environmental science is a plus, but not required
- Strong ability to zoom in (writing code, debugging analyses) and zoom out (setting direction, prioritizing work)
- Comfortable with geospatial data formats, satellite imagery, and field measurement integration
- Experience building ML models or analytical systems that operate in production
- Strong judgment about when to build vs. buy, when to optimize vs. ship, and when to escalate vs. resolve
- Has worked in a small to medium-sized expanding organization
- Enjoys working in fast-paced environments where everyone contributes to execution
- Comfortable with ambiguity and able to bring clarity to messy, real-world problems
- Strong communicator and facilitator who can drive alignment across diverse teams
- Motivated by mission-driven work focused on climate impact and reforestation
- Mentorship-oriented and eager to build team capability over time
How To Apply
Submit a resume and cover letter through our application portal. While we value every application, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Taking Root is committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. We hire and promote based on merit, competence, and performance, and prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind as outlined by applicable laws.
Use of AI in Hiring
Taking Root may use automated or AI-assisted tools at limited stages of the recruitment process. These tools are used to assist (not replace) human decision-making. All hiring decisions are ultimately made by people. We are committed to using technology responsibly and in line with applicable employment and privacy laws.