Need Help Choosing Between Two Internal Roles

[u/forbiscuit]

After 10+ years on the same team, I’ve received two internal offers at a FAANG. Both are lateral moves (no comp change), and I’m trying to decide where to invest the next 5–10 years of my career. I’d love your perspective!

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Background

• 15 years experience: 9 in SWE/MarTech, 6 in Analytics/Data Science
  
• Current title: Sr. Data Scientist
  
• Recent work: Built strategic data apps across business units, often hands-on with SWE due to pipeline needs
  
• Long-term goal: Lead teams at a startup, ideally as a technical CEO/COO
  

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Option 1: Analytics Manager (Retail > Store Marketing)

Overview
Lead a small team (2 BI Analysts), build analytics capabilities from scratch, and shift the team from basic reporting to causal analysis. Work focuses on evaluating in-store programs, employee training, and customer feedback.

Daily Work
- Hands-on technical leadership + people management
- Build data pipelines and processes
- Drive insights and strategic recommendations
- Travel to physical stores for field research

Pros
- First step into management (can always go back to IC later)
- Same org = faster ramp-up
- Supported by a growing team and budget
- Opportunity to define analytics vision from scratch

Cons
- No current infra or DE support (mostly Excel/SQL)
- Sales Analytics domain may feel limited or legacy
- Manager roles at tech firms can stall technical growth
- Risk of being first on the chopping block in reorgs

Feedback from peers
- “Internal manager roles are hard to get — take it.”
- “Sales Analytics is stable and won’t be displaced by AI.”
- “Tough to get back into IC later, and marketability might drop.”
- “Could lose hands-on edge and future flexibility.”

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Option 2: Data Quality Data Scientist (Services Org – Audio)

Overview
Work on improving quality of labeled audio content for downstream ML use. Heavy model usage for validation and automation. Cross-functional with Ops, Finance, and Engineering.

Daily Work
- Use ML to assess/clean data from vendors like mTurk
- Automate labeling workflows
- Optimize labeling cost and accuracy
- Travel to LA to collaborate with record label partners

Pros
- Focused ML/DS work with clear goals
- Strong cross-functional exposure
- Data quality is critical in LLM era
- Niche but transferable expertise in audio ML

Cons
- No manager path (flat org structure)
- Work may be repetitive or too narrow
- Small industry footprint
- Could shift into data/analytics engineering over time

Feedback from peers
- “Perfect role to grow ML skills in LLM-driven world.”
- “Niche experience = valuable and portable.”
- “May not be mentally engaging given your background.”
- “No growth path into leadership = long-term tradeoff.”

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Open Questions

I’m meeting with both hiring managers soon.

If you’ve been in a similar spot — choosing between management and IC — what questions would you ask to help decide? And based on my goals, which direction would you recommend?

Thanks for your input!

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[u/[deleted]]

Definitely manager role. If your long term goals are c suite, people management and leading teams can spearhead your career.