Head of Data Science & AI

Location: Austin, TX - must be local and able to be onsite 3 days per week (Mon, Tues & Thurs) Duration: 6 month contract-to-hire Compensation: $150K-160K Work schedule: Monday-Friday (8 AM-5PM CST) - onsite 3x per week Benefits: This position is eligible for medical, dental, vision and 401(k) The Head of Data Science & AI leads the organization’s data science strategy and team, driving advanced analytics and AI initiatives to deliver business value and innovation. This role sets the strategic direction for data science, ensures alignment with organizational goals, and promotes a data-driven culture. It involves close collaboration with business and technology teams to identify opportunities for leveraging machine learning and AI to improve operations and customer experiences. Key Responsibilities • Develop and execute a data science strategy and roadmap aligned with business objectives. • Build and lead the data science team, providing mentorship and fostering growth. • Partner with business leaders to identify challenges and deliver actionable insights. • Oversee design and deployment of predictive models, algorithms, and analytical frameworks. • Ensure data integrity, governance, and security in collaboration with engineering teams. • Communicate complex insights to non-technical stakeholders. • Manage infrastructure, tools, and budget for data science initiatives. • Drive experimentation with emerging AI technologies and ensure ethical AI practices. • Oversee full AI model lifecycle: development, deployment, monitoring, and compliance. Qualifications • 8+ years in data science/analytics with leadership experience. • Expertise in Python, R, SQL, and ML frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-Learn). • Experience deploying ML models and monitoring performance. • Familiarity with visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI). • Strong knowledge of data governance, advanced statistical methods, and AI trends. • Skills in project management tools (MS Project, JIRA) and software development best practices (CI/CD, Git, Agile). Please apply directly to be considered.