Head of Data

Today, GraphQL is rapidly emerging as the next generation API technology of choice to unify data access across a wide range of data sources and deliver business value. Apollo’s GraphOS platform helps API platform developers around the world build and operate their data access layers, at scale. It is used in production by some of today's largest and most innovative companies including Netflix, Expedia, Peloton, DoorDash, The New York Times, and many more. GraphOS fundamentally democratizes data and accelerates business transformation.
We are building a best-in-class data practice and looking for a Head of Data to define and execute the data strategy that will drive our business forward. This is a foundational, hands-on role—you will be both a strategic leader and an individual contributor, setting the vision for how data is used across Apollo while also diving into technical work to make that vision a reality.
You will partner closely with Product, Engineering, Finance, Growth, and Go-to-Market teams to enable data-driven decision-making across the organization. Your work will shape how we understand our users, optimize our business operations, and build scalable data systems that drive impact. While we have a strong data foundation, we are looking for a leader who can take it to the next level—leveraging advanced analytics, experimentation, machine learning and AI tools to unlock new opportunities.
About You:You thrive at the intersection of strategy and execution—able to define a vision for data at Apollo while also rolling up your sleeves to build and implement solutions. You’re highly collaborative, excited to partner with leadership, and skilled at translating complex technical concepts into clear business recommendations. You’re comfortable in a start-up environment, where ambiguity is high but the opportunity for impact is even higher.

What You'll Do

• Define and execute the data strategy for Apollo, balancing long-term vision with immediate impact.
• Partner with executive leadership and cross-functional teams to translate business needs into data-driven insights and recommendations.
• Work closely with data engineers to ensure the data infrastructure supports advanced analytics, experimentation, and modeling needs.
• Lead hands-on projects, including statistical modeling, forecasting, causal inference, and optimization to improve our product, marketing, and go-to-market motions.
• Act as a technical and strategic thought leader, guiding the company’s approach to data governance, experimentation, and data-driven decision-making.
• Hire and mentor data scientists and analysts as we grow the team, ensuring a strong foundation for the future.

What You Bring

• [Strategic Thinking & Execution] – Ability to define a long-term data vision while driving immediate impact through hands-on technical work.
• [Technical Expertise] – Proficiency in SQL and Python or R, with experience in machine learning, statistics, experimentation, and advanced analytics.
• [Familiarity with Data Engineering Concepts] – Ability to collaborate effectively with data engineers, ensuring models and analyses are built on reliable, well-structured data.
• [Leadership & Influence] – Experience working cross-functionally with executives, product managers, and engineers to align on data priorities and strategy.
• [Communication & Storytelling] – Ability to present complex insights to non-technical stakeholders in a compelling and actionable way.
• [Experience Scaling Data Functions] – Previous experience building or leading data functions in a high-growth environment is a plus.

Minimum Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in data science, analytics, or a related field.
• Proven track record of driving measurable business impact through data.
• Experience influencing leadership decisions using data-driven insights.
• Hands-on experience designing and executing large-scale analytics projects.
• People management experience, including hiring, mentoring, and developing data scientists or analysts.
• Ability to work autonomously and thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

Whether you binge-watch a series on Netflix, plan faraway vacations from your phone, or read international news online, you’ve likely used Apollo’s technology this week. Apollo supports some of the largest GraphQL platforms in the world. We’re not looking to rest on our laurels though — we’re aiming to change how software is built. Apollo wants to empower every software team to build an amazing user experience across any number of clients, without dealing with a barrage of API endpoints. Equal to all of that, Apollo is intent on becoming the company where you can see your career grow through challenging work, collaborating with incredible teammates, and accomplishing the unattainable.
At Apollo, we strive to provide competitive, market-informed compensation whilst ensuring consistency within the team in each country. We make hiring decisions based on your skills, experience, and our overall assessment of what we learned during the hiring process.
In addition to the U.S. base salary range, we also provide equity and benefits. Apollo offers all U.S. employees a choice of 3 Anthem Blue Cross medical plans and California residents can also choose from an additional 2 Kaiser medical plans. Dental and Vision benefits are provided by Sun Life Financial.
Equal Opportunity: Apollo is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace dedicated to pursuing and hiring a talented and diverse workforce.
Privacy: California residents applying for positions at Apollo can see our privacy policy here.
E-Verify: Apollo is an E-Verify employer and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For more information please visit E-Verify.