Associate Director of AI Product Development

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The Technology Product Development platform services team is an exciting center of excellence and a catalyst to Verizon's future, dedicated to creating networks that move the world forward through the power of Artificial Intelligence and platform services. We are seeking an Associate Director to spearhead the company's product development-focused AI initiatives. This role centers on building and managing a dedicated AI team and taking full ownership of the innovation pipeline, from prototyping, tooling, standards, testing to execution. The ideal candidate will operate with significant autonomy to leverage their initiative and drive progress, while working in close alignment with executive leadership to ensure strategic goals are met within a clear reporting structure. This position requires a leader who can establish a clear vision, execute on priorities, and champion a culture of AI-driven innovation.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Leading development-focused AI initiatives, taking ownership of key projects from prototyping through to execution and leveraging personal initiative to drive progress.

• Building, managing, and mentoring a high-performing team of AI specialists, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.

• Operating with a high degree of autonomy while ensuring alignment with strategic direction received from executive leadership.

• Developing, owning, and championing the organization's AI product technology roadmap, ensuring it aligns with broader business objectives.

• Driving the flawless execution of priorities set forth by the leadership team.

• Driving a strategic and transformational approach for integrating next-generation AI into our products and platforms.

• Frequently representing the company's AI technology positions and priorities with external partners, research institutions, and public-facing entities.

• Identifying and recommending technology partnerships to drive product value, collaborating with internal teams to formalize these partnerships.

• Proactively managing executive-level meetings through briefing materials, clear positions, and status updates on AI strategy and innovation.

• Providing frequent guidance, feedback, and prioritization to a diverse team with complex technical assignments.

• Driving financial discipline related to AI technology acquisition and implementation.

You can visualize the big-picture strategy but possess the technical depth to break it down into the architectural components necessary to get the job done. You are an effective, inspiring leader who knows how to cultivate autonomy and bring out the best in senior engineering talent

You'll need to have:

• Bachelor's degree or four or more years of work experience.

• Eight or more years of relevant experience required, demonstrated through one or a combination of work and/or military experience, or specialized training.

• Willingness to travel up to 25% or less of the time.

Even better if you have one or more of the following:

• Experience in the field of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.

• Experience in the application of artificial intelligence to the development of functioning systems and product development.

• A proven track record of defining and executing technology strategy

• Experience engaging with external technology partners or research institutions.

• Comfortable working in ambiguous environments, have high energy, and be assertive about taking initiative.

• A strong technology background with a growth mindset focused on strategic outcomes.

• Solid understanding of the current AI/ML landscape, including state-of-the-art models, frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch), and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP, Azure).

• Experience with a wide array of AI domains (e.g., NLP, Computer Vision, Reinforcement Learning, Generative AI); prior experience implementing these solutions into commercial products is a strong plus.

• Proven ability for cross-team and cross-functional collaboration at a leadership level to achieve strategic, enterprise-wide goals.

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to translate highly complex technical concepts to Senior Leadership.

• Demonstrated experience presenting technology strategy to C-level executives or equivalent leadership teams.

• Experience in developing AI teams and training team members in artificial intelligence and data science.

• Familiarity with Quantum Machine Learning and Quantum Compute technologies.

• Strong analytical skills and be able to interpret data and provide recommendations to the leadership team

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to translate highly complex technical concepts to Sr Leadership within GN&T and the Business organizations

• Must be extremely comfortable working in ambiguous environments, have high energy and be assertive about taking initiative

• Demonstrated experience presenting to sports team ownership groups, League CIO's, or equivalent customer leadership teams.

If Verizon and this role sound like a fit for you, we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every "even better" qualification listed above.

Verizon is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to veteran status, disability or other legally protected characteristics.

Our benefits are designed to help you move forward in your career, and in areas of your life outside of Verizon. From health and wellness benefit options including: medical, dental, vision, short and long term disability, basic life insurance, supplemental life insurance, AD&D insurance, identity theft protection, pet insurance and group home & auto insurance. We also offer a matched 401(k) savings plan, up to 8 company paid holidays per year and up to 6 personal days per year, paid parental leave, adoption assistance and tuition assistance, plus other incentives, we've got you covered with our award-winning total rewards package. Depending on the role, employees have the opportunity to receive compensation in the form of premium pay such as overtime, shift differential, holiday pay, allowances, etc. Newly hired employees receive up to 15 days of vacation per year, which grows with additional service. For part-timers, your coverage will vary as you may be eligible for some of these benefits depending on your individual circumstances.