Senior Director, Engineering & Data (Ref: 191253)

Our client is a prominent entity within the restaurants and food service sector, dedicated to employing cutting-edge data analytics to refine operations and elevate growth across its diverse brands. With a focus on innovation, this organization taps into vast transactional data streams to develop advanced AI solutions that add significant value for franchisees, restaurant teams, and corporate stakeholders.

We are collaborating with this organization to recruit a Senior Director of Engineering & Data for their Miami, Florida location. This crucial role entails leading a high-performing team of engineers, product managers, and support professionals in the development of a scalable and effective data architecture. The organization stands at the forefront of leveraging data and AI technologies to make meaningful operational advancements, presenting a compelling opportunity for an innovative leader.

This position will require a five-day-a-week in-office commitment, fostering close collaboration among team members.

Role & Responsibilities:

• Lead the Intelligence Leads charter by managing meeting agendas, documenting decisions, and tracking actionable items across various functions.
• Oversee the alignment of quarterly roadmaps and objectives, addressing cost optimization and data governance initiatives.
• Formulate and manage vendor and contract strategies, collaborating closely with financial stakeholders to analyze budgets.
• Guide the transition from legacy systems to a contemporary Snowflake-based architecture.
• Implement rigorous data governance and privacy standards to ensure compliance.
• Foster engineering excellence by enforcing best practices in change management and operational standards.
• Set ethical guidelines and principles for AI and machine learning initiatives.
• Drive the successful development of key AI products that boost operational efficiency and inform decision-making.
• Promote a data-centric approach to AI and uphold data quality assurance practices.
• Attract, mentor, and retain top talent across data engineering, machine learning, product management, and operations.
• Optimize team structures to enhance focus and autonomy while maintaining balanced on-call schedules.
• Oversee successful implementations of high-impact projects across teams.
• Manage the hiring and career progression of team members, ensuring effective onboarding and development.
• Regularly update senior leadership on key performance indicators related to velocity, reliability, spending, and business impact.

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, AI/ML, or a closely related field is required.
• At least 12 years of experience in the construction of large-scale data and analytics platforms, with a minimum of 7 years in a leadership capacity managing sizable teams.
• Demonstrated success in delivering production-quality machine learning and AI systems.
• Proficient in relevant technological frameworks such as Snowflake, AWS, Kafka, and various MLOps tools.
• A comprehensive understanding of data governance frameworks and compliance standards.
• Proven capability in optimizing costs within cloud environments.
• An ability to set and communicate a bold vision, inspire diverse teams, and influence upper management stakeholders.
• Outstanding communication skills, adept at conveying complex ideas to a varied audience.
• A strong commitment to nurturing diversity and fostering an inclusive culture.
• Hands-on experience with advanced data solutions like Snowflake Cortex or similar orchestration technologies.
• Experience in fast-paced sectors such as quick-service restaurants or franchise operations is advantageous.

• Competitive compensation aligned with experience.
• Comprehensive health and wellness offerings.
• Opportunities for professional advancement and skills development.
• A vibrant work environment that encourages innovation.
• A collaborative culture that appreciates varied perspectives.

This opportunity represents a significant chance for a strategic leader to profoundly impact a dynamic and evolving industry. The ideal candidate will embody a passion for fostering innovation in data and AI while leading teams to achieve exemplary results.