AI Manager

Phoenix Staff; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 83,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Phoenix Staff is seeking an AI Manager in Phoenix, AZ to lead enterprise AI initiatives, drive strategy, and govern governance, security, and compliance. This role partnerships with engineering, data science, and leadership to deliver AI solutions end-to-end.

The candidate will manage AI engineers and analysts, translate business needs into actionable plans, and ensure models meet performance, risk, and ethical standards in a dynamic enterprise environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field aligns with AI leadership.
• 5 years of AI/ML/Data Science experience with governance focus.
• 2 years of direct AI team leadership experience.
• Hands-on governance, risk assessments, bias testing, and data privacy knowledge.
• Strong knowledge of AI/ML architectures and MLOps practices.
• Experience overseeing enterprise AI development and deployment.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, development, and implementation of enterprise AI initiatives.
• Develop AI roadmaps and align tech with business objectives.
• Partner with stakeholders to identify AI-driven automation opportunities.
• Translate business requirements into technical strategies and plans.
• Oversee governance, risk assessments, model validation, and compliance.

Skills

AI leadership

Team leadership

Governance & compliance

MLOps

Strategic planning

Stakeholder mgmt

Leadership skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

Job Title: AI Manager

Location: Phoenix, AZ

Rate: $60 – $65/hour

We are partnering with an organization seeking an experienced AI Manager to lead the development and implementation of enterprise artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions. This role will focus on driving AI strategy, managing technical teams, and ensuring AI initiatives deliver meaningful business results while maintaining strong governance, security, and compliance standards.

The ideal candidate brings a combination of technical AI expertise, leadership experience, and a strong understanding of responsible AI practices. You’ll work closely with engineering teams, business stakeholders, and leadership to identify opportunities, oversee AI development, and guide solutions from initial concept through deployment and ongoing optimization.

Your role:

AI Strategy & Development

• Lead the planning, development, and implementation of enterprise AI and machine learning initiatives
• Develop AI roadmaps, establish project priorities, and align technology solutions with business objectives
• Partner with business stakeholders to identify opportunities for AI-driven automation and process improvement
• Translate business requirements into actionable technical strategies and development plans
• Evaluate emerging AI technologies and recommend solutions that improve operational efficiency and business performance

AI Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead, mentor, and manage teams of AI engineers, business analysts, and technical specialists
• Provide direction and oversight throughout the AI development and implementation lifecycle
• Collaborate with data science, MLOps, software engineering, and business teams to deliver integrated solutions
• Foster a collaborative environment focused on innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Coordinate resources, resolve technical challenges, and ensure development teams remain aligned with project objectives

AI Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Establish and maintain AI governance practices to support responsible and secure AI adoption
• Coordinate AI risk assessments, model validation, bias testing, and data privacy compliance
• Ensure AI solutions follow established ethical standards, security requirements, and organizational policies
• Identify potential risks related to AI models, data usage, and automated decision-making
• Partner with technical and business stakeholders to implement appropriate controls and risk mitigation strategies

AI Model Management & Optimization

• Oversee the deployment, monitoring, maintenance, and ongoing optimization of AI and machine learning models
• Establish processes for evaluating model accuracy, performance, reliability, and scalability
• Monitor model drift, identify performance issues, and coordinate necessary improvements
• Manage AI model lifecycle activities, including updates, retraining, and retirement
• Work with technical teams to ensure AI solutions remain effective, secure, and aligned with business needs

Project Management & Stakeholder Communication

• Manage AI project timelines, budgets, resources, and deliverables across multiple initiatives
• Establish and track performance metrics, including model accuracy, system availability, latency, and return on investment
• Coordinate cross-functional dependencies and address challenges that may impact project delivery
• Communicate AI strategies, project progress, and technical recommendations to executive leadership
• Present complex AI concepts and solutions in a clear, understandable manner to technical and non-technical audiences

What you’ve got:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Statistics, or a related technical field
• 5 years of experience in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, or AI engineering
• 2 years of experience directly leading and managing AI teams
• Hands‑on experience coordinating AI governance and compliance activities, including risk assessments, model validation, bias testing, and data privacy requirements
• Strong understanding of AI/ML architectures, machine learning lifecycles, and MLOps practices
• Experience overseeing enterprise AI development, deployment, and ongoing model performance
• Ability to translate business objectives into technical requirements and scalable AI solutions
• Experience managing complex technical projects using Agile or traditional project management methodologies
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to mentor technical teams and manage competing priorities
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving abilities
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present technical concepts to diverse audiences
• Experience collaborating with technical teams, business stakeholders, and executive leadership

Preferred:

• Experience with OpenAI technologies, including Microsoft Azure OpenAI services
• Familiarity with AI/ML frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or LangChain
• Experience working with cloud‑based AI services on Microsoft Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud Platform
• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, or a related field
• Experience implementing enterprise AI governance frameworks and responsible AI practices
• Background leading AI initiatives involving automation, predictive analytics, or generative AI
• Experience supporting AI solutions in large‑scale enterprise environments

To explore more technology career opportunities, visit www.phoenixstaff.com.