Senior Director – Internal Audit, Data Science and AI

Tech Observer; United States; Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Tech Observer, a leader in financial services technology, seeks a Senior Director to drive AI, data science, and analytics within Internal Audit. You will guide a highly skilled team, contribute to AI model development, and shape enterprise-wide AI strategy with cross-functional collaboration.

Ideal candidates balance strategic leadership with hands-on coding, working with senior executives and technology teams.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in data science, AI, analytics, automation, product management, technology delivery, audit technology, or related enterprise tech functions.
• 5+ years of leadership experience building, coaching, and managing high-performing technical teams.
• Proven experience delivering enterprise AI, analytics, automation, or data products from strategy through production deployment, with measurable business results.
• Experience leading AI-enabled transformation within Internal Audit, risk, compliance, financial services, or a regulated industry.
• Hands-on expertise in AI/ML, Generative AI, automation, analytics, data platforms, cloud technologies, and model lifecycle management.

Responsibilities

• Lead AI, analytics, and automation roadmap for the Audit function, aligned with enterprise objectives.
• Define and manage strategy, product roadmap, delivery, and adoption of AI, Generative AI, advanced analytics, and automation solutions.
• Remain hands-on in AI/ML model development while leading a small, highly technical team.
• Collaborate with Technology to design scalable platforms, reusable data assets, APIs, microservices, and enterprise-grade AI capabilities.
• Develop AI-driven capabilities for anomaly detection, continuous monitoring, automated evidence generation, and control-risk reporting.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of data science, AI engineering, product, and automation professionals.
• Engage with Audit, Enterprise AI, Technology, Risk, Compliance, and business stakeholders to expand AI capabilities.
• Establish governance for data quality, model risk, responsible AI, security, and regulatory compliance.
• Advise executives on AI strategy, emerging technologies, and associated risks.

Skills

Data science

Artificial intelligence

Analytics

Automation

Leadership

Coding

Executive communication

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

APIs

Cloud platforms

Model lifecycle management

Data platforms

Job description

Position: Senior Director – Internal Audit, Data Science and AI

Location: Reston, VA / Washington, DC / Remote (USA)

Job Type: Permanent

Job Description:

Our client is a leading financial services organization focused on strengthening the housing finance ecosystem through technology, data-driven insights, and innovative risk management practices. The organization emphasizes responsible AI adoption, operational excellence, and enterprise-wide collaboration to enhance business performance, governance, and risk oversight.

Position Overview

The Senior Director – Internal Audit, Data Science and AI will lead the strategy and execution of AI, data science, analytics, and automation initiatives within the Audit function. This role will drive the development of innovative technology solutions that improve audit quality, efficiency, risk detection, continuous monitoring, and enterprise risk management.

The ideal candidate is a hands‑on technical leader who can guide a highly skilled team while personally contributing to AI/ML model development, coding, and technical implementation. This position requires a balance of strategic leadership, technical expertise, product development, and collaboration with senior executives and cross-functional technology teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of the Audit function's AI, analytics, and automation roadmap, aligned with enterprise objectives and strategic priorities.
• Define and manage the strategy, product roadmap, delivery, and adoption of AI, Generative AI, advanced analytics, and automation solutions.
• Remain actively involved in hands‑on coding, AI/ML model development, experimentation, and technical problem-solving while leading a small, highly technical team.
• Partner with Technology teams to design and scale unified platforms, reusable data assets, APIs, microservices, AI capabilities, and enterprise-grade solutions.
• Develop and implement AI-driven capabilities for anomaly detection, continuous monitoring, automated evidence generation, full‑population testing, and control‑risk reporting.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of data science, AI engineering, product, and automation professionals.
• Collaborate with Audit, Enterprise AI, Technology, Risk, Compliance, and business stakeholders to expand AI capabilities across the organization.
• Establish appropriate governance frameworks for data quality, model risk management, responsible AI, security, and regulatory compliance.
• Advise senior executives and VP‑level stakeholders on AI strategy, emerging technologies, technical opportunities, and associated risks.
• Establish operating models, talent strategies, performance metrics, and adoption plans to drive measurable improvements in productivity, quality, and business outcomes.
• Promote reusable technology solutions and scalable delivery practices that accelerate innovation while maintaining strong controls.

Required Qualifications

• At least 8 years of relevant experience in data science, artificial intelligence, analytics, automation, product management, technology delivery, audit technology, or related enterprise technology functions.
• At least 5 years of leadership experience building, coaching, and managing high-performing technical teams.
• Proven experience delivering enterprise AI, analytics, automation, or data products from strategy through production deployment, with measurable business results.
• Experience leading AI‑enabled transformation within Internal Audit, risk, compliance, financial services, or another highly regulated industry.
• Strong hands‑on expertise in AI/ML, Generative AI, automation, advanced analytics, data platforms, cloud technologies, and model lifecycle management.
• Demonstrated ability to personally contribute to coding, model development, and technical implementation rather than focusing exclusively on team supervision.
• Experience designing and scaling technology platforms, reusable capabilities, APIs, microservices, governed data products, and enterprise AI solutions.
• Strong understanding of data governance, model risk, responsible AI, and regulatory requirements in financial services or similarly regulated environments.
• Excellent executive communication and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non‑technical audiences.
• Experience developing technical strategies, operating models, talent plans, and performance measures that drive adoption, efficiency, and business value.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Engineering, Information Systems, Business, or a related discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or advanced qualification in Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Engineering, Analytics, Finance, Audit, Risk, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of Internal Audit, enterprise controls, governance, or risk management.
• Experience with Generative AI, large language models (LLMs), retrieval‑augmented generation (RAG), intelligent agents, natural language processing, anomaly detection, machine learning, multi‑agent workflows, or knowledge graphs.
• Familiarity with cloud‑based AI and data platforms, MLOps/LLMOps, model monitoring, data quality controls, secure software delivery, and enterprise architecture.
• Relevant AI, machine learning, cloud, or technology certifications, or equivalent practical experience.

Key Candidate Requirements

• Must be a hands‑on technical leader who continues to write code and develop AI/ML models.
• Must be comfortable managing a small team of approximately three direct reports while remaining actively involved in technical execution.
• Must demonstrate experience taking AI solutions from concept through production adoption.
• Must possess strong leadership, communication, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.
• Remote candidates must reside within one of the 50 US states and be available to travel to the Reston, VA, or Washington, DC, office at least quarterly.