Director – AI and Data Strategy & Management

Mastercard; Województwo mazowieckie; On-site; PLN 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A global payments technology company in Poland seeks a Director for AI and Data Strategy & Management. The role involves developing AI strategies, managing client relationships, and driving data-driven solutions. Candidates should have an engineering degree and substantial experience in AI, data management, and client engagement. Excellent analytical and communication skills are essential for success in this fast-paced, innovative environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in AI and Data platforms.
• Ability to analyze large datasets.
• Proficiency in AI and Data analytics software.

Responsibilities

• Develop AI strategies for payments-centric companies.
• Identify high-impact opportunities for AI.
• Publish insights on AI methods.

Skills

AI and Data strategy experience

Product experience

Client management

Data analysis

Python proficiency

SQL proficiency

Ability to handle multiple tasks

Effective communication

Education

Undergraduate engineering degree

MS or master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Python

R

SQL

SAS

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Our Purpose

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

Title and Summary

Director – AI and Data Strategy & Management Overview

Services within Mastercard is responsible for acquiring, engaging, and retaining customers by managing fraud and risk, enhancing cybersecurity, and improving the digital payments experience. We provide value-added services and leverage expertise, data-driven insights, and execution. Our team combines traditional management consulting with Mastercard’s rich AI and Data assets, proprietary platforms, and technologies to provide clients with powerful strategic insights and recommendations. Our teams work with a diverse global customer base across industries, from banking and payments to retail and restaurants.

Roles and Responsibilities

Team Collaboration & Culture

• Develop sound business recommendations and deliver effective client presentations to close deals
• Plan, organize, and structure own work and that of junior project delivery consultants to identify effective analysis structures to address client problems and synthesize analyses into relevant findings
• Lead team and external meetings, and lead or co-lead project management
• Contribute to the firm's intellectual capital and solution development
• Grow from coaching to enable ownership of day-to-day project management across client projects, and mentor junior consultants

Key Focus Areas

1. Shape and deliver AI strategies that address complex business challenges for payments-centric companies.
2. Advance the firm’s AI capabilities through consistent thought leadership, external outreach, and the development of new service offerings.

Develop AI & Data-Driven Strategies for Business Impact

• Identify high-impact opportunities for AI and Data within client organizations, particularly in card issuing and payments.
• Quantify the full value potential of AI solutions, detailing the value levers, critical dependencies, and feasibility pathways to maximize ROI.
• Architect end-to-end AI and data solutions by combining expertise in data engineering, solution design, and domain-specific knowledge (e.g., credit card issuing).
• Secure Alignment from executive stakeholders, translating ambitious AI visions into actionable plans with clear timelines, deliverables, and success metrics.
• Scale effective AI initiatives across multiple use cases, proactively addressing technical or organizational hurdles to ensure widespread adoption.

Expand Thought Leadership & External Network

• Publish and present on cutting-edge AI methods and industry insights—e.g., through whitepapers, case studies, conference keynotes, and journal articles.
• Build an external network of AI experts, industry leaders, and academic partners to keep the firm at the forefront of emerging AI trends.
• Advise on best practices around AI ethics, governance, and regulatory considerations in financial services.
• Elevate the firm’s reputation by participating in relevant forums, client discussions, and industry events, driving new business opportunities.

All About You

Basic qualifications

• Undergraduate engineering degree with AI and Data strategy & management experience in AI and Data platforms, strategy, assessment, architecture, integration, monetization, data-as-a-product etc.
• Product experience
• Experience managing clients or internal stakeholders and win revenue generating work
• Ability to analyze large datasets and platforms and provide recommendations
• AI and Data and analytics experience such as working with AI and Data analytics software (e.g., Python, R, SQL, SAS) and building, managing, and maintaining database structures
• Advanced Word, Excel, and PowerPoint skills
• Ability to perform multiple tasks with multiple clients in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Ability to communicate effectively in English and the local office language (if applicable)
• Eligibility to work in the country where you are applying, as well as apply for travel visas as required by travel needs

Preferred qualifications

• Experience managing tasks or workstreams in a collaborative team environment
• Experience coaching junior delivery consultants
• Relevant industry expertise
• MS or master’s degree with relevant specialization (not required)

Corporate Security Responsibility

All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks comes with an inherent risk to the organization and, therefore, it is expected that every person working for, or on behalf of, Mastercard is responsible for information security and must:

• Abide by Mastercard’s security policies and practices;
• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;
• Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and
• Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard’s guidelines.