Director of Data and AI

Director of Data and AI

Salt Lake City, UT

Job Type

Full-time

Description

As a key leader in our digital transformation journey, the Director of Data and AI will be responsible for shaping and executing the organization’s data and artificial intelligence strategy. Reporting to the VP of Digital, this role will lead enterprise-wide initiatives to harness data as a strategic asset, build scalable AI/ML capabilities, and drive data-informed decision-making across the business. The Director will oversee data governance, data engineering, and AI innovation, ensuring alignment with business objectives and ethical standards.

A central focus will be the design and optimization of modern data Lakehouse architecture using Microsoft Fabric, leveraging Delta Lake and Parquet file formats, and structured through the Medallion Architecture (Bronze, Silver, and Gold layers). This platform will serve as the foundation for both analytics, AI, and machine learning initiatives, enabling seamless integration for business automation, intelligence, and maintaining compatibility with advanced AI/ML platforms.

• Define and execute a unified roadmap that integrates software platforms, data infrastructure, and AI capabilities in alignment with business goals and the broader digital strategy.

• Champion the adoption of emerging technologies—including AI, machine learning, and cloud-native solutions—to accelerate digital transformation and innovation.

• Collaborate with business, support functions, and IT leadership to shape the vision for enterprise architecture, establish direction for technology practices, and prioritize strategic investments.

• Architect, develop, and maintain a secure, scalable, and high-performance data Lakehouse using Microsoft Fabric, built on Medallion Architecture principles (Bronze, Silver, Gold layers).

• Establish data modeling standards, practices, and governance for both structured and unstructured data.

• Define strategies for metadata management, master data management, and data quality frameworks.

• Utilize Microsoft Purview for comprehensive data governance and compliance.

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of AI-powered tools, platforms, and solutions for customer/user experience, workflow optimization, and product innovation.

• Oversee the design and implementation of modern data architectures (e.g., data lakes, data warehouses, real‑time pipelines).

• Lead initiatives across data platforms, analytics, machine learning, and AI engineering to unlock new capabilities and insights.

• Establish and enforce architecture standards, governance frameworks, and best practices to ensure consistency, security, and scalability.

• Translate evolving business requirements into robust technical solutions that align with organizational goals and deliver measurable value.

• Partner with Digital/IT, Business Intelligence, Continuous Improvement, and key business stakeholders to ensure digital solutions deliver intuitive, high‑impact user and customer experiences.

• Design and implement solutions that enhance digital service delivery, decision‑making, and engagement across all digital touchpoints.

• Leverage data and AI to personalize user experiences, optimize operations, and drive customer satisfaction.

• Define and implement data architecture standards, models, and frameworks to support enterprise analytics and AI initiatives.

• Promote the use of data science and advanced analytics to inform strategic decisions across business units and departments.

• Oversee data governance, analytics, data engineering, and AI innovation, ensuring best practices for data quality, security, and regulatory compliance are embedded in all initiatives and aligned with business goals and ethical standards.

• Build, inspire, lead, and mentor a high‑performing, cross‑functional team of engineers, data scientists, and AI specialists.

• Foster a culture of experimentation, continuous learning, and cross‑functional collaboration by providing technical guidance, coaching, and career…