Data Platform Lead

Who We Are

Roots is redefining real estate investing with a never before seen resident-centric model. We’re totally reshaping the tenant-landlord relationship by offering residents the chance to not just rent but partner in the property they live in. This is not rent-to-own; this is the first ever own-while-you-rent program! Our innovative “Live In It Like You Own It®” program is about more than just providing a place to live; it’s about fostering a sense of community and financial empowerment. By intertwining investment opportunities and resident engagement we have proven that this model truly does do good by the residents, and performs quite well for our Investors. Roots is committed to making a positive impact and helping millions of people build wealth through real estate. We believe that a win-win ecosystem is the only type worth building!

Our Why

We fundamentally believe that everyone should have an opportunity to build wealth.  This belief is what guides our mission of giving everyone the opportunity to build wealth and secure their financial future through investment in real estate.  

In pursuit of our mission we will help 1 Million people grow wealth by breaking down the barriers to real estate investment for the masses, and making real estate as easy to invest in as the stock market.

Why We Need You

We’re looking for a hands-on data lead to build and own our data practice from the ground up, bridging product vision with technical execution in data engineering, analytics, and AI-driven insights. As the first dedicated data leader, you’ll set the foundation for how we collect, manage, and leverage data—balancing speed, scalability, and impact.

In this pivotal role, you’ll work closely with Product, Engineering, and department stakeholders to craft scalable data solutions and analytics products that deliver immediate value while establishing long-term best practices. You’ll lead by example—taking ownership of critical projects, rolling up your sleeves to execute, and enabling those around you to succeed.

Your ability to navigate ambiguity, challenge assumptions, and influence decisions at all levels will be key to driving alignment and delivering results. By fostering a culture of ownership, growth, and high standards, you’ll empower the company to thrive in a fast-paced startup environment where strategic vision and hands-on execution go hand in hand.

Role Responsibilities

• Strategic & Tactical Leadership: Define and execute the vision and roadmap for the Data Team, aligning technical execution with business objectives. Lead by example, directly contributing to building data infrastructure, analytics products, and AI-driven solutions.
• Hands-On Contribution: Actively build and maintain robust data pipelines, scalable data models, and self-service analytics solutions. Directly participate in technical work, showcasing best practices in data engineering and analytics.
• Empowerment and Support: Mentor, guide, and support team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, self-service enablement, and data-driven innovation.
• Bridge Vision and Execution: Collaborate closely with Product, Engineering, and business stakeholders, translating strategic goals into actionable data products and analytics solutions.
• Governance and Quality: Establish and uphold strong data governance standards, ensuring data accuracy, reliability, compliance, and security across all systems.
• Innovation and AI Enablement: Lead the integration of Generative AI and advanced analytics, ensuring data structures support AI-powered insights and automation effectively and reliably.
• Effective Communication: Clearly communicate priorities, progress, and insights, maintaining alignment and managing expectations across teams and stakeholders.

Who You Are

• Proven Data Leader: Demonstrated track record leading data teams or initiatives, achieving successful outcomes in data engineering, analytics, and infrastructure.
• Hands-On Practitioner: Proven ability to actively build and maintain data infrastructure, pipelines, analytics solutions, and self-service data platforms.
• Empowering Mentor: Skilled at coaching, developing, and empowering team members through collaborative leadership and knowledge-sharing.
• AI and Analytics Enthusiast: Deep understanding of data structures, analytics methodologies, and AI technologies, particularly Generative AI.
• Collaborative Partner: Strong ability to collaborate cross-functionally, aligning technical capabilities with business needs and strategic goals.
• Adaptable Problem-Solver: Comfortable navigating ambiguity, creatively solving problems, and continuously improving data processes and solutions.
• Strong Communicator: Exceptional at articulating complex data concepts clearly and effectively to technical and non-technical audiences.
• High Growth Environment: Previous experience working in a startup or high-growth environment.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Information Systems, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in data engineering, analytics, or related roles.
• Proficiency with SQL, Postgres, Excel, PowerBI, and other data analytics tools.
• Experience designing, implementing, and maintaining robust data pipelines and data models.
• Strong background with cloud data platforms and modern data stack technologies.
• Familiarity with Generative AI solutions and integration strategies.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proven ability to translate complex data into actionable insights.

Nice to Haves

• Experience building data solutions in FinTech, PropTech, or investment-focused environments.
• Familiarity with modern data stack tools such as Snowflake, dbt, Airflow, Looker, or similar technologies.
• Experience integrating AI-driven tools like OpenAI GPT, Anthropic Claude, or comparable Generative AI solutions.

Our Values

• Accountability: We take our responsibilities seriously and always stay transparent.
• Student Mentality: Continuous learning and growth are at our core.
• Driven: We strive to exceed expectations. We aim for excellence in everything we do.
• Fairness: We’re committed to equitable treatment for everyone.
• Great Stewards: We manage our resources and relationships with care and responsibility.
• Fun and Fearless: We face challenges with a positive and bold spirit. We challenge each other, the status quo, and “how it’s always been done”.

At Roots, we're committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We firmly believe that diversity fuels creativity and innovation, enhancing the quality of our work and the strength of our team. Join us and be part of an inclusive environment where every perspective is valued.