Job Title: Head of Advanced Analytics & AI Services
Location: Cleveland, OH | Arlington, VA | Albany, NY | Buffalo, NY | Pittsburgh, PA | Columbus, OH (Hybrid/On-site)
About The Company
We are a leading financial services institution committed to transforming data into actionable insights and intelligent solutions that drive innovation, operational efficiency, and competitive advantage. Our culture emphasizes responsible AI practices, collaboration, and empowering teams to make data-driven decisions that create measurable business impact.
Job Summary
We are looking for a strategic Head of Advanced Analytics & AI Services to join our Data and Analytics organization. The ideal candidate will be a strategic leader with deep machine learning expertise, proven implementation experience, and a track record of building high-performing analytics teams in highly regulated environments. This role will involve establishing our Model Development and Model Engineering functions, driving AI/ML adoption across the enterprise, and transforming how we leverage advanced analytics to solve complex business challenges. This is a hands-on leadership position requiring someone who has been a practitioner and can bring practical experience to help build out our analytics capabilities from the ground up.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership & Framework Development : Define and implement a hub-and-spoke analytics model that empowers enterprise-wide data-driven decision-making. Evaluate existing quantitative models to maximize business value and identify transformation opportunities.
- Build Model Development & Model Engineering Functions : Establish and scale two critical functions from the ground up—Model Development and Model Engineering—including hiring 6-8 team members, defining processes, and creating scalable frameworks for AI/ML solution delivery.
- Advanced Analytics Implementation : Lead the development and deployment of scalable AI/ML models and predictive analytics for business areas currently lacking advanced analytics capabilities. Translate data science prototypes into production-ready solutions integrated with business systems.
- Change Management & Adoption : Drive organizational change management to facilitate AI/ML adoption across the enterprise. Partner with stakeholders to identify opportunities for data-driven transformation and ensure successful implementation and adoption of analytics solutions.
- Governance & Three Lines of Defense Partnership : Partner with Data & Analytics Governance and Model Risk Management to establish responsible AI practices, model governance frameworks, and ensure compliance with regulatory and ethical standards within a three lines of defense operating model.
- Team Leadership & Talent Development : Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing team (inheriting 12 team members and hiring 6-8 additional experts) of data scientists, machine learning engineers, and analytics professionals. Coach team members to provide superior support to business partners.
- Analytics Tools & Infrastructure : Oversee the selection and integration of advanced analytics platforms, tools, and infrastructure (e.g., Python, R, SQL, BigQuery, Databricks, DataRobot, H2O.ai, Watson X, Tableau, Power BI) to support enterprise analytics needs.
- Innovation & ROI Measurement : Stay abreast of AI landscape developments and drive competitive analytics offerings. Define and implement metrics to measure ROI of analytics initiatives and demonstrate measurable business outcomes.
- Stakeholder Engagement : Collaborate with analytics and technology leaders across consumer, commercial, risk, marketing, and operations to identify opportunities for AI-powered transformation and influence strategic decisions at the C-suite level.
Requirements
- Education : Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in data science, mathematics, statistics, computer science, or related quantitative discipline
- Experience :
- Minimum 15+ years of experience in analytics roles within banking, insurance, or highly regulated financial services
- 7-10 years in analytics leadership positions
- Must have hands-on experience building models and working as a quantitative expert (not consulting-only or program management-only backgrounds)
- Proven track record of implementing (not just designing) AI/ML solutions and predictive models that solve business problems
- Experience establishing Model Development and Model Engineering functions and teams
- Experience working within a three lines of defense risk operating model with demonstrated partnership with model risk management
- Skills :
- Deep expertise in machine learning, predictive modeling, and AI implementation
- Proficiency with Python, R, SQL, and platforms such as BigQuery, Databricks, DataRobot, H2O.ai, Watson X, and cloud-based AI services
- Experience leading adoption and governance of data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI)
- Strong change management capabilities
- Proven ability to translate complex analytics concepts to C-suite audiences and influence strategic decisions
- Experience recruiting and leading teams of highly educated quantitative experts
- Other :
- Must be mature, poised, articulate, and persuasive with ability to explain technological capabilities and trade-offs to senior leaders
- Willingness to relocate (relocation assistance provided)
- Occasional travel, including overnight travel
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience centralizing analytics models across a large institution
- Background in setting up analytics centers of excellence
- Track record of driving measurable business outcomes (revenue growth, cost reduction, efficiency gains) through analytics initiatives
- Experience with data governance, data quality, and data warehousing functions
- Familiarity with CI/CD practices and automated testing for ML systems
Benefits
- Competitive Compensation : Base salary range $215k - $285k depending on experience, plus generous annual bonus opportunity and generous stock awards
- Relocation Assistance : Comprehensive relocation package provided for qualified candidates
- Health and Wellness : Comprehensive health insurance and wellness programs
- Work-Life Balance : Flexible work arrangements with hybrid options, generous PTO
- Professional Development : Training programs, tuition reimbursement, and opportunities for continuous learning in cutting-edge AI/ML technologies
- Career Growth : Significant opportunity to shape the future of analytics and AI across the enterprise, with potential growth into AI Innovation leadership roles
- Additional Perks : Company events, volunteer opportunities, and collaborative team culture
