Director - Research & Development

Maya; Manila; On-site; PHP 3,500,000 - 5,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Maya is seeking a Director to lead our AI Research & Development Pillar, the engine that brings frontier AI into Maya's fintech products. This is a research leadership role that connects academic advances with real-world deployment.

You will define a multi-year strategy, guide applied research, and build a world-class team, partnering with CTO and executives to translate complex problems into measurable business impact across lending, fraud, and operations.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Operations Research, Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, AI, or a related quantitative discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in research, machine learning, AI, optimization, or related fields.
• 5+ years of experience building and leading high-performing research teams, including people management.
• Demonstrated record of defining and executing multi-year research strategies with measurable business impact.
• Publication record or significant research output at recognized AI/ML venues is strongly preferred.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving capability.
• Strong scientific rigor and research judgment.
• Ability to influence executive stakeholders through technical expertise.

Responsibilities

• Define and own the multi-year research strategy and roadmap for the R&D pillar, aligned with Maya's AI vision.
• Lead and direct applied research to develop novel algorithms, models, and data-driven solutions.
• Lead high-impact, multi-year research programs from inception through measurable business outcomes.
• Translate complex business challenges into advanced AI, mathematical, or optimization formulations with measurable outcomes.
• Architect end-to-end research solutions from concept through production deployment.
• Act as the principal technical advisor to CTO and executive leadership on AI and optimization strategy.
• Drive cross-functional initiatives spanning product, engineering, risk, operations, and business teams.
• Build, lead, and develop a world-class research organization; define hiring strategy and grow future leaders.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Executive influence

Research leadership

AI/ML expertise

Education

PhD or MSc in CS/OR/Math/Stats/Engineering/AI

Job description

Research

Our Mission

Our goal is for everyone to make bolder choices with their finances.

To get there, we're creating an all-in-one ecosystem of financial services for today's generation of goal-getters. That feat takes extraordinary people--those with the guts to challenge the way things are and transform them into something better.

To be part of Team Maya is to be Bolder for Better.

Overview:

We are seeking a Director to lead our AI Research & Development Pillar - the engine that brings frontier AI into Maya. This is not a vertical delivery role; it is a research function whose mandate is to identify, adapt, and transform cutting-edge AI advances into high-impact solutions that move the needle for Maya's products, customers, and operations. This leader will bridge the gap between the frontier of academic and industry research and real-world fintech application, building a team that operates at the intersection of rigor and impact.

The ideal candidate brings a proven track record of building and scaling world-class research organizations, setting multi-year technical vision, and influencing at the executive level. They possess deep technical breadth across AI research domains - including LLMs, Audio/Speech AI, Operational Research (Optimization, Decision Science), Causal AI, and Neuro-symbolic AI - and have demonstrated ability to translate frontier AI into measurable business outcomes at scale.

What You Will Do

• Define and own the multi-year research strategy and roadmap for the R&D pillar, aligned with Maya's business objectives and AI vision.
• Lead and direct applied research to develop novel algorithms, models, and data-driven solutions that create durable competitive advantages for Maya.
• Lead high-impact, multi-year research programs from inception through measurable business outcomes.
• Translate complex business challenges into advanced AI, mathematical, or optimization formulations with measurable outcomes across lending, fraud, marketing, and intelligent operations.
• Architect end-to-end research solutions from concept through production deployment.
• Act as the principal technical advisor to CTO and executive leadership on AI and optimization strategy across Maya.
• Drive cross-functional initiatives spanning product, engineering, risk, operations, and business teams to ensure research translates into deployed, production-grade solutions.
• Build, lead, and develop a world-class research organization; define hiring strategy, set the technical bar, and grow future research leaders within the team.

What We Are Looking For

• PhD or Master's degree in Computer Science, Operations Research, Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, AI, or a related quantitative discipline
• 10+ years of experience in research, machine learning, AI, optimization, or related fields
• 5+ years of experience building and leading high-performing research teams, including people management and organizational development
• Demonstrated record of defining and executing multi-year research strategies with measurable business impact
• Exceptional ability to influence executive stakeholders through technical expertise and thought leadership; publication record or significant research output at recognized AI/ML venues is strongly preferred
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving capability
• Strong scientific rigor and research judgment
• Ability to influence executive stakeholders through technical expertise
• Demonstrated ability to shape organizational strategy through innovation and thought leadership

About Us

Maya is the all-in-one money platform that is bringing Filipinos bolder ways to master their money. It is powered by a unique integrated financial services ecosystem that addresses the ever-evolving needs of today’s generation of moneymakers through cutting edge technology.

We lead millions of Filipinos — consumers, businesses, communities, and government agencies alike — into a version of the current digital economy that’s more inclusive, transparent, and empowering than ever.

We are powered by the country's only end-to-end digital payments company Maya Philippines, Inc. and Maya Bank, Inc. for digital banking services.

Maya Bank, Inc. and Maya Philippines, Inc. are regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. https://www.bsp.gov.ph/