Principal Data Scientist, Marketing Analytics and Data Science (Memphis, TN or Coppell, TX)

At ALSAC you do more than make a living; you make a difference.

We like people who are different...because we're different, too. As one of the world's most iconic and respected nonprofits, we know what it's like to stand out. That's why we're looking at you. Your background, perspective, and desire to make an impact set you apart. As we work to help St. Jude cure childhood cancer, we're calling on the game-changers, innovators and visionaries to join our family. Not just for the kids of St. Jude, but also for you. Because at ALSAC, we develop and celebrate our employees. So, bring your whole, authentic self and become part of our shared mission : Finding cures. Saving children.®

Job Description

ALSAC is seeking a visionary Principal Data Scientist to lead the development and evolution of our Marketing Mix Modeling (MMM) capabilities within a newly formed Marketing Analytics and Data Science team. This net-new role offers a unique opportunity to shape enterprise-wide measurement frameworks, drive strategic planning through scenario simulation, and pioneer AI-driven innovation in donor intelligence.

As a senior individual contributor, you will provide technical leadership , collaborate with external vendors in a build-operate-transfer model , and mentor junior data scientists. You'll translate complex business questions into actionable analytical frameworks, ensuring modeling outputs are both rigorous and aligned with strategic goals.

Key Responsibilities

1. MMM Capability Ownership

Lead the design, validation, and continuous improvement of MMM solutions. Collaborate with vendors and internal teams to ensure scalable, accurate, and business-aligned models.

2. Cross-Functional Partnership

Work closely with marketing, finance, and media teams to align modeling efforts with business objectives and ensure insights are relevant and actionable.

3. Model Quality & Innovation

Champion data integrity, model validation, and methodological innovation. Stay ahead of industry trends in MMM, MTA, and causal inference.

4. Testing & Experimentation Strategy

Design robust testing frameworks to evaluate model reliability pre- and post-deployment.

5. Integrated Measurement Strategy

Support integration of MMM with other measurement approaches (e.g., MTA) to enable a unified view of marketing performance.

6. Analytical Framework Development

Translate complex business challenges into structured analytical approaches. Collaborate with analysts and stakeholders to ensure alignment with strategic goals.

7. Mentorship & Best Practices

Mentor junior team members, promote modeling standards, and foster a culture of excellence and continuous learning.

Top Skills & Experience

I. Advanced Modeling & Causal Inference

• Expertise in MTA, Bayesian modeling, Markov chains, SEM, and survival analysis.
• Skilled in causal inference techniques (DiD, synthetic control, BART).
• Ability to tailor models to varying data richness across channels.

II. Enterprise-Scale Forecasting & Simulation

III. Strategic Insight & Stakeholder Engagement

IV. Data Engineering Fluency

Additional Impact Areas

Qualifications

#LI-TM1

Benefits & Perks

The following Benefits & Perks apply toFull-Time Roles Only

We're dedicated to ensuring children and their families have every opportunity to enjoy life's special moments. We're also committed to giving our staff excellent benefits so they can do the same.

ALSAC is an equal employment opportunity employer.

ALSAC does not discriminate against any individual with regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, disability, veteran status, genetic information or other protected status.

No Search Firms :

ALSAC does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All resumes submitted by search firms to any ALSAC employee or ALSAC representative via email, the internet or in any form and / or method without being contacted and approved by our Employee Experience team and without a valid written search agreement in place will result in no fee being paid if a referred candidate is hired by ALSAC.