Job Description

Summary Statement:

Lead the information technology aspects of advanced analytics projects and the machine learning (ML) environment. This critical role is responsible for delivering and supporting multiple AI/ML and data science projects across the enterprise. You will assess and select technologies and tools to support advanced analytics projects, and be a member of the Data & Emerging Digital Technologies team driving execution of data and digital initiatives. Collaborate closely with business and IT stakeholders across the organization, understand industry best practices, and drive the architecture and implementation of AI/ML projects.

Key Responsibilities:
• Evangelize artificial intelligence and machine learning across the organization to solve business problems and optimize processes.
• Operationalize and support various Machine Learning models, ensuring accuracy and managing the cost of AI/ML operations.
• Manage a team of machine learning engineers.
• Work with analytics leaders, data analysts, and data scientists in various business groups (Marketing, Maintenance, Pricing, Finance) and IT groups (Data Engineering, Data Platform Teams, Product Managers, Cloud Engineering).
• Responsible for talent management (recruiting, onboarding, career development) in the AI/ML Ops area.

Responsibilities:
• Collaborate with stakeholder groups and partners at mid to Sr. Management level to build and execute AI/ML roadmaps.
• Manage and lead enterprise-wide projects and initiatives concurrently, assigned from client group leadership and other IT departments.
• Lead and manage a team of machine learning engineers and AI/ML Ops administrators to support various AI/ML projects (Predictive Analytics, Prescriptive Analytics, Computer Vision, Gen AI).
• Stay updated on best practices in AI/ML, AI/ML Ops, and Model API Management to leverage them within the organization, execute on MLOps Roadmap maturity.
• Ensure applications and environments are available and supported as per agreed SLAs.
• Enforce best practices and compliance with AI Governance principles.
• Follow IT practices in security, licensing, source code management, incident management, and architectural standards.
• Delegate and assign tasks to onshore and offshore technical resources. Regularly review project requirements, deliverables, and quality with partner leadership and onsite team members.
• Ensure associates lead project scope development and options analysis to recommend technical solutions meeting customer needs.
• Follow the Penske Development Process (PDP) and ensure timely capture of all information for relevant metrics generation, including attending tollgates, change control, and deployment discussions.
• Work with Program/Project managers to ensure project completion and implementation on time, adhering to department quality standards while ensuring effective cost management.
• Identify skill gaps within teams and develop plans to bridge them.
• Foster collaboration among associates and within work groups.
• Use dashboards and metrics to prioritize work and ensure project milestones are met.

Qualifications

Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years of leadership experience leading machine learning engineers.
• 3 - 5 years of large enterprise-wide program/project management experience.
• 2+ years' experience with cloud platforms, preferably AWS.
• Strong experience with Agile/MLOps approaches or methodologies.
• Strong Technical Project Management experience.
• Strong knowledge of AI/ML using Python, data science tools and methodologies, advanced quantitative modeling, statistical analysis, parametric and non-parametric statistical modeling and techniques, API Management, Micro-services, and Cloud (preferably AWS), and experience operationalizing predictive or prescriptive models.
• Working knowledge of one or more Machine Learning Platforms.
• Expertise in leading the architecture, design, and implementation of AI/ML-based technical solutions.
• Strong experience presenting to mid & Senior Management. Ability to explain complex AI/ML topics in simple terms to various stakeholders.
• Experience working with business leadership to establish a project/program application development roadmap.
• Experience working with various IT teams to build and implement a scalable architecture for relevant software solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to break technical solutions into logical units and show information or data flow.
• Full fluency and expert-level knowledge in systems/languages applicable to the role.
• Full understanding of system development lifecycle, methodologies, and standards.
• Working knowledge of Generative AI and Agentic solutions preferred.
• Green Belt, Black Belt, Lean, or PMP certification preferred.

Physical Requirements
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The associate must regularly lift and /or move up to 25lbs/12kg.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include Close vision, Distance vision, Peripheral vision, Depth perception and Ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this Job, the associate is regularly required to stand; walk; sit and talk or hear. The associate is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.