Director AI-ML

What You'll Do

As the Director of AI & Machine Learning, you will spearhead the development and implementation of AI strategies that align with Avalara’s business goals. You will lead a team of talented ML engineers to create scalable AI solutions that significantly enhance our core tax compliance product offerings.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership and Management: Provide strong leadership to the team, cultivating a collaborative and innovative work environment. Manage and mentor team members to enhance their skills and career progression.
• Technical Expertise: Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in AI & ML. Provide technical guidance and expertise to the team in adopting new technologies effectively, fostering innovation and continuous improvement.
• Project Management: Oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of engineering projects within established timelines and budget constraints. Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure smooth project execution and successful outcomes.
• Quality Assurance: Establish and enforce quality standards and best practices to ensure the delivery of high-quality products and solutions. Define and track KPIs educating partner teams on AI methodologies. Implement rigorous testing processes and quality control measures to identify and address any issues or defects.
• Resource Allocation: Manage engineering resources effectively, including budget allocation, staffing, and resource planning. Hire the best talent to advance the team’s goals. Ensure that the team has the necessary tools, skills, and support to deliver on ambitious project objectives.
• Strategic Planning: Collaborate with senior management in developing and implementing an AI & ML strategy that aligns with the company's overall objectives. Drive initiatives to enhance product development processes, improve efficiency, and maintain a competitive edge in the market.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Foster strong collaboration and communication with other teams, such as product management, design, security and operations, to ensure alignment and synergies across the organization. Work closely with stakeholders to understand the requirements of our customers and incorporate feedback into the engineering processes and delivered systems.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive a culture of continuous improvement within the AI & ML team, promoting innovation, efficiency, and excellence in all aspects of the engineering operations. Encourage experimentation and learning to stay ahead of technological advancements and industry shifts.

What You'll Need to be Successful

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Mathematics or a related field.
• Proven experience in a leadership role within an engineering organization, with a track record of successfully managing teams and delivering complex projects in production enterprise environments.
• Strong technical background with 10 years of expertise in AI & ML, software development methodologies, technologies, and tools.
• A person close to the action, working with teams and fluent in AI & ML, GenAI, NLP and driving projects by defining KPIs and tracking them.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a results-oriented mindset, with a focus on driving outcomes and delivering value to the organization.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate business goals into actionable engineering strategies and initiatives.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment within the technology industry.