Axial Search
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VP, AI & Data

United States · Hybrid

TechnologyAI/ML Engineering, Data Engineering
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Axial Search builds long-term talent networks for AI, data, and transformation leaders across the United States, and applying for this role indicates your interest in positions like this one as your next move. This particular position isn't tied to a specific client today, but we actively place people with your background — apply and we'll be in touch when a matching role opens with one of our clients. In the meantime, please make use of our free tools to help with your job search, including our live job market dashboard with salary, skills, and hiring-trend data from thousands of AI transformation roles.

Job market data

VP-level leadership across combined AI and data functions is where most of the operational build-out of an AI program actually happens — these roles typically own 20–100-person organizations and sit one rung below the CDO or CAO. The market for these leaders is competitive across technology, financial services, and larger healthcare and consumer organizations. Compensation is generally packaged on a confidential basis including equity and performance-based components; the strongest VP-level leaders we place are those who can develop senior leaders underneath them rather than just run individual teams themselves.

Key responsibilities

  • Lead a combined AI and data organization spanning engineering, science, analytics, and platform

  • Own the strategy, roadmap, and delivery across the AI and data portfolio

  • Hire and develop a senior leadership bench of directors and senior ICs

  • Partner with product, engineering, and business-line leadership on priorities and dependencies

  • Set and maintain technical and operational standards across the group

  • Serve as the senior-most AI and data voice in company-wide decisions below the C-suite

  • Own the long-term investment plan for the data and AI platform

  • Shape the firm's posture on responsible AI and operational risk

Candidate requirements

  • 12+ years of senior engineering, data, or AI leadership experience

  • Prior VP-level or equivalent experience leading teams of 30+ people

  • Strong technical fluency across modern AI, data, and cloud stacks

  • Proven ability to develop senior leaders underneath you

  • Excellent executive communication

  • Track record of scaling functions through material growth