Senior Director, AI & Software Engineering

The Senior Director, AI & Software Engineering is a senior technical and people leader responsible for the engineering stewardship, architectural integrity, and operational excellence of CFA Institute’s artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms. The role provides strategic and technical leadership for enterprise AI ecosystems, including model development, MLOps platforms, data pipelines, and AI-enabled products and services.

This role interprets complex as-is and to-be AI system landscapes, drives major AI transformation initiatives, and ensures the responsible, secure, and scalable deployment of AI capabilities across the organization. The Senior Director leads multi-disciplinary AI engineering teams and strategic partners, establishes engineering standards and governance, and advances CFA Institute’s AI maturity, innovation capacity, and engineering culture.

The position may be based in approved jurisdictions in the United States and is eligible for flexible work arrangements.

What You’ll Do

• Lead execution of CFA Institute’s AI and data engineering roadmap, including platforms, MLOps, and AI-enabled products.

• Serve as enterprise steward for AI engineering platforms, ensuring alignment with architecture and responsible AI principles.

• Translate emerging AI technologies into scalable, production-grade business solutions.

• Own platform engineering outcomes, operating discipline, and technical coherence across strategic initiatives.

• Establish and enforce AI engineering standards for quality, explainability, bias mitigation, performance, reliability, and monitoring.

• Oversee MLOps and DevSecOps, including model CI/CD, feature management, observability, and lifecycle automation.

• Manage a portfolio of AI engineering initiatives, ensuring predictable delivery, quality, and risk management.

• Lead AI-related incident response, vulnerability management, and remediation.

• Partner with Product, Data, Legal, Risk, and business leaders to ensure ethical, compliant AI deployment.

• Build organizational capability through AI talent development, coaching, and knowledge sharing.

• Lead and develop high-performing AI engineering teams with a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

• Manage strategic vendors and partners to ensure quality, continuity, and value realization

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree or equivalent experience in computer science, data science,

• AI, or related field preferred.

• 10–15+ years of progressive experience in software, data, or AI engineering, including enterprise-scale platforms.

• 3–6+ years of experience leading and managing senior engineering teams and complex delivery portfolios.

• Demonstrated experience delivering production-grade AI solutions at scale.

• Strong understanding of responsible AI, model governance, and regulatory considerations.

• Exceptional communication, analytical, and leadership skills.

• Proven ability to partner effectively with engineering, security, and business stakeholders at senior levels

• Strong strategic thinking and roadmap development skills

• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing capabilities

• Deep understanding of balancing security, compliance, and customer experience

• Outstanding communication, problem solving, and analytical skills

• High level of organizational agility and ability to manage complex, interdependent priorities

At CFA Institute, we are committed to transparency and equity in our hiring process. In compliance with wage transparency laws in many of the jurisdictions in which we recruit, we provide the following information regarding compensation for this position: Expected salary range: $140,700 - $280,000 per year. All salary ranges are subject to adjustment based on experience, education, and other factors relevant to the position. Additional benefits include eligibility for an annual incentive bonus, a 12% employer contribution to a 401(k) or pension plan, and a comprehensive medical benefits package.

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About CFA Institute

CFA Institute are the global leader in investment excellence and ethics. With nearly 200,000 charterholders across 160 markets, we drive professional growth, ethical behavior, and better markets. We care about our employees’ well-being, offering industry-leading benefits like:

• Comprehensive health coverage for you and your family

• Generous leave and time off

• Competitive retirement plans

• Flexible work options

• Wellness, education, and support programs

If you feel this opportunity could be the next step in your career, we encourage you to click “Apply” and complete our three-minute application.

Be part of a team committed to putting investors first and growing economies. Follow us @CFAInstitute on LinkedIn and X.

Important Message: Your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet the requirements as CFA Institute cannot make assumptions about your education, experience, or location. We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. CFA Institute prohibits both discrimination and harassment with regard to all identifying characteristics: any individual employee, group of employees, or prospective employee on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, religion, creed or belief, age, marital or partnership status, marital or family status, care giver status, pregnancy and maternity, sexual and other reproductive health decisions, physical abilities/qualities, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, predisposing genetic characteristic, military or veteran status, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence or sex offense or stalking, unemployment status, infectious disease carrier status, migrant worker status, educational background, socio-economic status, geographic location and culture or any other basis protected by applicable law. This policy impacts all aspects of employment, including but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, compensation, training, development, promotion, demotion, layoff, recall, furlough, transfer, leave of absence, and dismissal. This is a global policy that applies to all CFA Institute employees, regardless of location.

If, due to a disability or current medical condition, you need an accommodation or assistance to complete a job application, you can request one at any stage of the recruitment process. Please send an email to [email protected] noting the accommodations or assistance you are requesting. Please do not include any medical or health information in this email. We will review your request and contact you to discuss the possible options and arrangements. We will try our best to provide you with an accommodation or assistance that meets your needs and respects your preferences.

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