Head of Data Platform – AI

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Lead the technical vision and execution for Octave’s data platform, along with its advancing AI, machine learning, and Data Science capabilities.

• Own and enhance the technical foundation for Octave’s data and AI/ML initiatives.

• Establish the technical and strategic direction for AI/ML in collaboration with Product and cross-functional business leaders.

• Build and oversee the team necessary to realize the data and AI vision.

• Direct the Data Platform team and collaborate with Product, Engineering, Analytics, and business leaders.

• Define the technical strategy and roadmap for data platform and AI/ML functionalities.

• Manage company-level AI/ML and Data Platform KPIs and report progress to the executive team.

• Assess AI/ML opportunities, technical feasibility, trade-offs, and methodologies.

• Develop capabilities for creating, evaluating, deploying, monitoring, and enhancing production AI/ML systems.

• Establish protocols for model evaluation, experimentation, observability, feedback loops, governance, privacy, security, and responsible AI practices.

• Take ownership of the architecture and evolution of the centralized data platform.

• Ensure the reliability, scalability, observability, security, and usability of the platform for downstream consumers.

• Implement data quality, testing, lineage, documentation, monitoring, and reliability practices.

• Create scalable interfaces and data products for analysts, Product, Engineering, and other teams.

• Empower decentralized analytics teams through shared standards, platform capabilities, and ownership models.

• Recruit, mentor, and cultivate talent in Data Platform, Data Science, ML Engineering, and Applied AI.

• Maintain hands-on involvement with system design, architecture, data modeling, prototypes, code, technical evaluations, and production challenges.

• Offer technical thought partnership to engineers, analysts, Product leaders, and senior company executives.

⛳️ Requirements

• Strong technical foundation and prior experience as a proficient individual contributor prior to assuming a leadership role.

• Deep understanding of traditional machine-learning and Data Science methodologies, as well as newer AI capabilities, including LLM-based systems and generative AI.

• Sound judgment regarding build-versus-buy decisions and the ability to pragmatically assess rapidly evolving technologies.

• Excellent communication skills, capable of transitioning between detailed technical discussions and conversations with senior business and product leaders.

• Comfortable working in a small, dynamic organization where senior leaders are closely involved in execution.

• Over 8 years of experience in building and leading data platform, data engineering, Data Science, ML, or AI capabilities within high-growth technology settings.

• Proven experience in architecting and constructing modern data platforms and production data systems.

• Significant experience in applying machine learning and/or AI to address real-world product or business challenges and transitioning solutions from experimentation to production.

• Experience collaborating closely with Product teams to identify and deliver technically sophisticated product functionalities.

• Demonstrated ability to identify organizational capability gaps, develop new technical competencies, and recruit senior, specialized technical talent.

• Must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship, either now or in the future.

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

• Ability to frequently communicate through virtual meeting applications such as Zoom and Google Meet.

• Ability to observe and communicate information using a company-provided laptop.

• Ability to lift up to 10 pounds occasionally.

🏝️ Benefits

• Equity awards through Octave’s stock options program.

• $300 equipment reimbursement for home office setup for new full-time employees.

• Monthly reimbursement of up to $75 for internet and cell phone expenses for full-time employees.

• One HDHP and two PPO medical plan options available.

• Dental and vision insurance coverage.

• Company-sponsored One Medical membership.

• 401(k) plan with traditional and Roth options.

• Generous paid time off policy.

• Up to 15 paid company holidays.

• Accrued sick leave.

• Company-paid life, AD&D, and disability insurance.

• Optional plans for pets, legal assistance, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accidents.

• Paid parental bonding leave after 6 months, with additional time off increasing with tenure.

• Reimbursement for professional development related to role growth opportunities.