Staff Data Scientist

About the Role

Join the team redefining how the world experiences design.

As Canva continues to scale at pace, data plays a critical role in how we make decisions, run experiments, and build products that empower millions of people worldwide. As a Staff Data Scientist in our Central Data team, you’ll work on high-impact, cross-cutting initiatives that elevate how data science is practised across Canva. This role goes beyond a single domain — you’ll help shape the foundations, frameworks, and standards that enable every data scientist at Canva to move faster and deliver greater impact. Your work will directly influence how Canva uses data to support our billion-user vision.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading cross-functional data science initiatives that improve quality, consistency, and scalability across teams.
• Designing and implementing robust experimentation, measurement, and analytical frameworks used across Canva.
• Partnering with embedded data scientists and cross-functional leaders to solve high-leverage, company-wide problems.
• Defining and championing core metrics and measurement standards that support confident decision-making.
• Communicating complex statistical insights clearly and persuasively to senior leaders and non-technical audiences.
• Uplifting the data science craft through mentorship, guidance, and shared learning initiatives.

What You'll Bring

You’re probably a match if:

• You’re a data leader who thrives on driving measurable impact across teams and domains.
• You combine deep statistical and analytical expertise with a strategic, systems-level mindset and enjoy navigating ambiguity to uncover the highest-leverage opportunities.
• You’re passionate about experimentation, measurement rigour, and continuously improving how data science is practised at scale.
• You’re a strong communicator and collaborative partner who can influence across levels and disciplines.
• You’ll likely bring experience delivering high-impact data science projects with clear business outcomes.
• You have deep expertise in experimental design, causal inference, statistical modelling, and scalable analytics.
• You are proficient in SQL, Python or R with large-scale, cloud-based datasets.
• You have experience leading cross-functional initiatives and mentoring other data scientists.
• You have a product- and user-centric mindset with a passion for building sustainable and scalable systems.

About The Team

Canva’s Central Data team is a newly formed powerhouse that amplifies the impact of data science across the entire company. We focus on building shared capabilities, standards, and frameworks that enable our Data Science subspecialty to do its best work — faster, better, and at scale. Our mission is to multiply impact: when we succeed, every data scientist at Canva succeeds too.

What’s in it for you?

Achieving our crazy big goals motivates us to work hard — and we do — but you’ll also experience lots of moments of connection, growth, and fun along the way. We offer equity packages so our success is yours too; inclusive parental leave supporting all parents and carers; an annual Vibe & Thrive allowance to support wellbeing, social connection, and your work setup; and flexible leave options so you can recharge, give back, and support what matters most to you.

Other Stuff To Know

We make hiring decisions based on your experience, skills, and passion — as well as how you’ll help shape Canva’s culture and future. When you apply, feel free to share your pronouns and let us know if you need any reasonable adjustments during the interview process. We celebrate all kinds of backgrounds and paths at Canva, so even if you don’t tick every box above, we’d still love to hear from you.

Key skills/competency

• Data Science Leadership
• Experimentation Design
• Causal Inference
• Statistical Modeling
• Scalable Analytics
• SQL
• Python/R
• Cross-functional Collaboration
• Mentorship
• Product-centric Mindset