VP, Data and AI

At Wave, we help small businesses to thrive so the heart of our communities beats stronger.  We work in an environment buzzing with creative energy and inspiration. No matter where you are or how you get the job done, you have what you need to be successful and connected. The mark of true success at Wave is the ability to be bold, learn quickly and share your knowledge generously. The Vice President of Data and AI will lead our Data and AI functions, overseeing the teams and individuals who drive the development and enhancement of foundational data capabilities, architecture, and infrastructure. They will set the vision, strategy and plans to harness cutting-edge data analytics, operations and artificial intelligence. This role drives innovation, optimizes operations, and enhances decision-making processes, positioning us as a leader in the industry. Here's how you make an impact

Lead: Spearhead the development of the company's data and AI strategy, aligning with business objectives and market trends.

Architect: Develop a target architecture and plan to support the company’s data and AI strategy.

Deliver: Build multi-year roadmaps tied to target architecture and plan, encompassing key technical and business milestones alongside target organizational structure and a talent plan.  

Innovate: Drive innovation by identifying opportunities to leverage advanced analytics and AI techniques to solve complex business challenges now and for the future.

Optimize: Continuously optimize data processes and workflows to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and effectiveness across the organization.

Collaborate: Collaborate cross-functionally with product, engineering, and business teams to integrate data-driven insights into product development and decision-making processes.

Empower: Empower teams through mentorship, coaching, and training to build a data-driven culture and foster skill development in data analytics and AI.

Monitor: Monitor industry trends and emerging technologies to stay ahead of the curve and drive continuous improvement in data and AI capabilities.

Govern: Establish and enforce data governance policies and standards to ensure data integrity, security, and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Communicate: Effectively communicate complex technical concepts and insights to non-technical stakeholders to drive understanding and alignment on data and AI initiatives.

Measure: Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the impact of data and AI initiatives on business outcomes and drive accountability.

You thrive here by possessing the following

Minimum of 10 years of experience in data management, analytics, and AI, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role (leader of leaders).

Advanced certifications in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Engineering, or a related field.

Proven track record of successfully architecting and implementing large-scale data infrastructure and AI solutions.

Excellent leadership and communication skills with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across teams and levels of the organization.

Experience in financial technology and/or SaaS, or related industries preferred.

Proficiency in data modeling, ETL processes, data warehousing, and data visualization tools.

Deep understanding of machine learning algorithms, natural language processing, and deep learning techniques.

Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS preferred) and big data technologies (e.g., Hadoop, Spark).

Strong programming skills in languages such as Python, R, SQL, and experience with relevant frameworks and libraries.

Certifications in relevant areas such as AWS Certified Big Data - Specialty, are a plus.