SVP, Data Science & AI

The Sr Vice President, Data Science & AI provides the strategic and technical leadership for the company's advanced data science and artificial intelligence initiatives. This is a "build" role with a forward-looking mandate to create new value by scaling and automating intelligence, as distinct from a traditional data science maintenance function. The position is accountable for the AI-enabled acceleration of engineering and business processes, with a specific focus on new capabilities like Semantic Search, Agentic Engineering, and AI-driven CI/CD pipelines. This role requires a proven leader with deep technical expertise, a track record of overseeing complex technical execution, and the ability to define strategy with engineering partners.

Sr. Vice President Data & AI

North- United States

What you’ll be doing:

• AI Strategy & Vision: Develop and own the forward-looking roadmap for AI, advanced data science, and predictive modeling. Identify and prioritize opportunities where AI can create new value and fundamentally accelerate business processes.

• Technical Execution & Implementation: Lead the design, development, and implementation of cutting-edge AI solutions. This includes a direct focus on:

• Semantic Search: To unlock and operationalize our enterprise knowledge.

• Agentic Engineering: To create autonomous agents that automate complex business and technical workflows.

• AI-Driven CI/CD: To revolutionize our engineering pipeline, automating testing, deployment, and operations.

• Stakeholder Communication & Partnership: Act as the primary AI evangelist and partner to C-suite executives and senior business leaders. Brilliantly communicate complex technical strategies, execution roadmaps, and business impact to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Engineering Alignment: Partner deeply with Engineering VPs and architects to co-author strategy, oversee technical execution, and ensure that all AI/ML solutions are scalable, secure, and seamlessly integrated into our core platforms.

• Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and grow a world-class team of data scientists and machine learning engineers. Foster a culture of innovation, rapid iteration, and measurable results.

• Model & Platform Governance: Oversee the full lifecycle of our predictive models and AI systems, from conception and training to deployment, monitoring, and continuous improvement.

What we need from you:

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Statistics, AI, or a related quantitative field.

• 10+ years of experience in data science, machine learning, and AI.

• 5+ years of senior leadership experience, managing high-performance teams of data scientists, ML engineers, or AI researchers.

• A proven track record of shipping and scaling complex AI, ML, and predictive modeling solutions from concept to production.

• Deep expertise in modern AI/ML development, including a strong understanding of LLMs, predictive analytics, ML Ops, and data infrastructure.

•  Demonstrated ability to partner with engineering leadership on joint strategy and execution and hold technical teams accountable for results.

• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and educate at all levels, including the C-suite.

We'd prefer:

• Master's Degree or PhD in a relevant field.

• Direct, hands-on experience implementing solutions with Semantic Search, Agentic AI, or similar advanced concepts.

• Experience in developing and deploying AI-driven CI/CD pipelines.

• Strong background in both business-facing data science (predictive analytics) and engineering-facing AI (process automation).

• A portfolio of publications, patents, or conference presentations in the AI/ML space

Additional Information:

Direct Reports: Yes

Travel Requirements: 10 - 20%

What we offer: 

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that enables our teams to live a life well lived, both personally and professionally. Some of our perks include:

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Coverage

• Flexible Paid Time Off

• 401(k) + Match

• Mental Health Support & Well-Being Program

• Paid Maternity & Paternity Leave

• Education Assistance

• Company-funded Lifestyle Spending Account

Please note: North is a US based company and this role is not eligible for current or future sponsorship.

Let’s go North, together. 

Join our mission to build the largest suite of credit card processing and merchant services. It’s one simple payment platform backed by the most diverse payment companies. From credit card processing to back-office management, North points the way to smarter, faster, and just plain better payment solutions.

Who we are: 

North, and our family of companies, are committed to helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses. As an end-to-end payment solutions company, we provide everything business owners need to get paid, whether they serve customers in a physical storefront, online, or both. We pride ourselves on being large enough to offer customized solutions to our enterprise-level clients while remaining agile enough to take an award-winning, hands-on approach to personal service that our merchants won’t find anywhere else.

Our most important resource is our people. Join our diverse team of innovators and do-ers and make your mark on the future of payments technology. We're proud to offer benefits that help our team members further their overall well-being through unique initiatives that are both personally and professionally fulfilling. 

At North, we celebrate diversity and create an inclusive environment for everyone. We are an equal opportunity employer.

To learn more about North, and our family of companies, visit our website: north.com