Role Overview

As the AI Director, you will lead Contango’s AI strategy and execution, driving transformative initiatives that unlock the full potential of AI technologies. You will oversee the design, development, and deployment of AI/ML solutions, ensuring they deliver measurable business value. This role requires a visionary leader with a blend of deep technical expertise, strong business acumen, and exceptional leadership skills.

Key Responsibilities

AI Strategy and Innovation

• Define and lead the organization's AI vision and strategy, ensuring alignment with Contango’s goals.
• Identify opportunities to apply AI across various domains to enhance operations, customer experiences, and business outcomes.

AI Solution Development

• Oversee the end-to-end development of AI/ML models, from ideation to deployment and monitoring.
• Drive innovation by staying abreast of the latest AI trends, tools, and methodologies.

Team Leadership and Development

• Build and lead a world-class AI team, including data scientists, machine learning engineers, and researchers.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, experimentation, and excellence.

Partnerships and Ecosystem Engagement

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to identify use cases and co-develop AI solutions.
• Establish partnerships with leading academic institutions, technology vendors, and startups to enhance Contango’s AI capabilities.

Governance and Ethical AI

• Ensure AI solutions adhere to ethical, legal, and regulatory standards.
• Develop frameworks to promote transparency, fairness, and accountability in AI applications.

Performance and ROI Management

• Define KPIs and evaluate the impact of AI initiatives on business objectives.
• Continuously optimize models and strategies for maximum efficiency and value creation.

Qualifications

Experience:

• Minimum of 12 years of experience in AI/ML, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Proven track record of delivering AI-driven business solutions in enterprise or consulting environments.
• Experience working in industries such as finance, healthcare, logistics, or energy is a plus.

Education:

• Master’s or PhD in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Data Science, or related fields.

Technical Expertise:

• Deep expertise in machine learning, deep learning, NLP, computer vision, and data science.
• Proficiency in AI platforms and tools (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Azure AI, AWS SageMaker).

Leadership Skills:

• Strong ability to lead diverse teams and foster innovation.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

Other Requirements:

• A strategic mindset with the ability to translate AI capabilities into business value.
• Strong ethical judgment and understanding of responsible AI principles.