VP, AI Transformation and Operational Excellence

About the Role

People & Culture is transforming how we operate, redefining roles, and leveraging AI and automation. We’ve unified TA Operations and HR Operations, launched an AI transformation practice, and are rebuilding processes from the outcome backward. We’re seeking a VP of AI Transformation & Operational Excellence to own this transformation agenda, reporting directly to the Chief People Officer.

Responsibilities

• Set and Execute the Transformation Strategy
  • Own P&C’s AI and automation transformation roadmap, determining what gets redesigned, in what order, and how success is measured.
  • Decide for each key P&C process whether to fully automate, enhance with AI, or preserve human judgment, independent of current tool limitations.
  • Establish current-state metrics for every key P&C process to ensure measurable before-and-after impact.
  • Influence talent solutions, including redefining expectations for people leaders managing agents and humans, and assessing the impact of agents on job architecture.
  • Partner with the Chief People Officer to rethink Avalara’s enterprise-wide operating models for AI.
• Lead the Unified Operations Function
  • Combine HR Operations and Talent Acquisition Operations into a single operating model with shared processes, tooling, and service standards where convergence makes sense.
  • Own service-level performance for the combined operation, including volume, response and resolution time, escalation handling, throughput, and employee/candidate satisfaction.
  • Use ticket and case data to identify friction, trace root causes, and expand self-service to reduce volume.
  • Maintain a consistent operational bar: standardized processes, clear metrics and dashboards, and continuous improvement.
• Build AI Capability Centrally
  • Own P&C’s central AI and automation capability to ensure agents touching multiple parts of the lifecycle are built once and reused.
  • Partner with People Technology and Avalara’s broader AI Center of Excellence to shape P&C requirements and operational readiness.
  • Develop agentic solutions and automations within your team’s processes.
  • Maintain org charts and workflows showing AI vs. human responsibilities, updating them as the operating model evolves.
• Own P&C’s Technology Roadmap
  • Shape the end-to-end tooling strategy for P&C, including TA tech stack, HR systems, automation platforms, and integrations.
  • Lead the current ATS implementation through go-live and into steady-state operations, collaborating with TA, People Technology, and vendors.

Requirements

• A track record of leading large-scale organizational transformation in People & Culture or Human Resources.
• Deep, hands-on AI experience building or deploying AI agents and automation.
• Significant HR and/or TA operations leadership experience.
• Executive presence and C-suite stakeholder management.
• Experience building and leading high-performing teams.
• Working knowledge of the P&C technology landscape: HR systems, ATS platforms, ticketing platforms, automation tools, agentic capabilities, and integration dependencies.
• Experience defining and operating governance for major AI initiatives, owning an AI roadmap for a function or business area, and tying AI efforts to business outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience at the intersection of People & Culture and AI, such as building AI-driven HR products, consulting on large-scale AI adoption, or leading change management post-AI rollout.
• Experience defining org structure or governance models for AI agents and automated systems, including accountability for agent use, oversight, and outcomes.

About Avalara

Avalara is an AI-first company where AI is embedded in workflows, decision-making, and products. Success requires embracing AI as an essential capability, applying it daily to business challenges, and staying curious about new trends and best practices.

We’re defining the relationship between tax and tech, processing over 54 billion customer API calls and 6.6 million tax returns annually. As a billion-dollar business, we’re innovating, disruptive, and committed to our mission: to be part of every transaction in the world.

Benefits

• Total Rewards: Competitive compensation package, paid time off, paid parental leave, and eligibility for bonuses.
• Health & Wellness: Benefits vary by location but generally include private medical, life, and disability insurance.
• Inclusive Culture & Diversity: Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with 8 employee-run resource groups supported by senior leadership.