VP, Data & AI

About the role

The VP of Data & AI will lead LCS's transformation towards becoming AI-native, focusing on data analytics, data science, data governance, and AI. This role requires a deep understanding of AI and analytics, with a focus on driving impactful solutions and building a responsible AI program.

Responsibilities

• Define and own the enterprise data & AI strategy roadmap, unifying analytics, data science, data governance, and AI under one coherent vision tied to business outcomes.
• Lead the identification, prioritization, and scoping of high-impact AI and analytics opportunities through strong partnerships across the organization.
• Work closely with the team to advance LCS’s AI maturity by developing scalable approaches to agentic AI, and developing the next iteration of insight delivery at LCS.
• Develop and expand key external strategic partnerships, which may include relationships with universities, research institutions, data vendors, etc.
• Develop and evolve team capabilities, enabling analysts to grow into agentic AI development and insight-driven roles.
• Lead and develop a department of high-performing, multi-disciplinary data and AI team. Elevate the AI governance program to ensure department and community readiness, secure & ethical practices, etc.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration and position the function to be intentionally integrated within the various business areas to ensure capture of highest impact opportunities and knowledge.
• Partner with IT to shape and implement the next generation AI architecture and stack.
• Establish repeatable processes for intake, prioritization, solution delivery, and value measurement.
• Own the department budget and ensure responsible resource allocation and demonstrable return on data/AI investments.
• Responsible for the effective management and leadership of a team. Includes hiring, training, coaching, evaluating and managing performance, allocating compensation, effectively handling employee relations issues, and managing terminations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent years of experience in data science, AI, analytics or related disciplines with at least 3-4 years in leadership.
• Strong knowledge of generative AI, agentic AI, data science and emerging trends.
• Exceptional communication abilities with a proven record of presenting complex topics to executive and board-level audiences.
• Clear executive presence and ability to influence and align cross-functional stakeholders.
• Excellent business acumen and fluent in linking data initiatives to organizational strategy/value.
• Deep experience implementing advanced workloads in cloud, data, and AI platforms (Azure, GCP, Databricks, Snowflake, etc.).
• Excellent conceptual, analytical, objective judgment, and decision-making skills.
• Proven ability to balance innovation, risk, governance, security, ethics, and business impact.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change management, adoption, training across business and technical audiences.
• Experience managing technology budgets and vendor relationships.

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar role.
• Leadership experience in a data and AI context.
• Experience in building and leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience in shaping and implementing AI architectures and stacks.
• Experience in developing and evolving team capabilities.
• Experience in developing and expanding external strategic partnerships.
• Experience in developing and evolving AI governance programs.
• Experience in driving cross-functional collaboration and integration.
• Experience in managing technology budgets and vendor relationships.

Skills

• Data Science
• AI
• Data Analytics
• Data Governance
• Strategic Planning
• Team Leadership
• External Partnerships
• Change Management
• Technology Budget Management

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Great benefits and vacation time
• 401(K) with company match
• Paid parental leave

Pay

$171,000 - $214,000

Schedule

10-25% travel