Director, Data and AI

About the role

The Director, Data and AI is a strategic change leader responsible for defining governance frameworks and driving organizational adoption across master data, data products, and AI tools.

Responsibilities

• Define and govern data architecture standards and decisions for scalability, reliability, performance, and cost optimization across on-premise and cloud environments, ensuring enterprise alignment
• Collaborate with IT applications and support integration teams to ensure consistent master data flows across ERP, CRM, WMS, and analytics platforms
• Establish data lineage, documentation, and discoverability standards across the enterprise
• Ensure compliance with data privacy and retention regulations (GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, SOX where applicable)
• Define and operationalize data quality KPIs, including accuracy, completeness, consistency, and timeliness metrics across all master data domains
• Implement automated data quality monitoring, cleansing workflows, and enrichment processes to maintain high-integrity datasets
• Drive root cause analysis on systemic data quality issues and implement sustainable corrective action programs
• Establish a single source of truth for critical master data entities, reducing duplication and ambiguity across business systems
• Define and execute a flexible, pragmatic AI governance strategy and adoption roadmap that drives responsible use of diverse AI tools—Claude (for research and analysis), Microsoft Copilot (for productivity), Databricks Genie (for analytics automation)—across the organization
• Partner with data science and analytics teams to deliver well-governed, high-quality data products that accelerate business intelligence
• Champion AI literacy and responsible AI adoption across the organization by establishing governance guardrails, training programs, and best practices that enable enterprise-wide capability building
• Foster a data-driven, AI-ready culture by championing best practices
• Define and execute the enterprise Master Data Management strategy, roadmap, and operating model in alignment with IT and business strategy
• Establish governance frameworks, data ownership accountability, and stewardship processes for all master data domains (product, customer, vendor, material, finance)
• Lead the MDM Center of Excellence, setting standards, policies, and processes for data definition, creation, maintenance, and archiving
• Own the SAP MDG platform, including data model, governance workflows, BRF+ rules, change request configuration, and integration with SAP S/4HANA
• Lead implementation, enterprise adoption, and execution of the SAP MDG roadmap
• Govern master data processes during M&A integrations, ERP migrations, and other transformation initiatives
• Define comprehensive governance approaches and frameworks for master data, data products, and AI tools that establish clear decision rights, accountability models, and operational standards across the enterprise
• Stand up governance processes and operational mechanisms that institutionalize master data quality, data product stewardship, and responsible AI practices across business units and functions

Requirements

• Advanced proficiency with SAP MDG and SAP S/4HANA master data architecture
• Hands-on experience with enterprise MDM platforms and data governance tools
• Strong command of data governance frameworks (DAMA-DMBOK, DCAM) and data quality methodologies
• Demonstrated ability to build and develop high-performing teams
• Strong ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders at all levels
• Prominent change management and organizational transformation experience
• Excellent communicator with strong executive presence

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Data Management, Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, or related field preferred
• 15 years of progressive experience in data management with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role for enterprise MDM or data governance
• Demonstrated success building MDM capabilities in complex, multi-ERP environments
• Strong proficiency with cloud data platforms
• Hands-on expertise with SAP MDG, SAP S/4HANA master data objects, and at least one enterprise MDM platform
• 5+ years in a people leadership role with team hiring and development
• Exposure to AI/ML tools and workflows

Skills

• Advanced proficiency with SAP MDG and SAP S/4HANA master data architecture
• Hands-on experience with enterprise MDM platforms and data governance tools
• Strong command of data governance frameworks (DAMA-DMBOK, DCAM) and data quality methodologies
• Demonstrated ability to build and develop high-performing teams
• Strong ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders at all levels
• Prominent change management and organizational transformation experience
• Excellent communicator with strong executive presence

Benefits

At Ferrara, we're proud to support our employees by providing comprehensive benefits such as health insurance, dental insurance, a 401(k), and paid time off (PTO). Eligible employees may also receive an annual bonus based on company performance.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $141,216 - $197,702 annually.

Schedule

N/A