Vice President, Data Analytics & AI

Sas; Cary (NC); Hybrid; USD 190,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401k plan

Tuition assistance

Vacation time and holidays

Parental leave

Unlimited sick days

Childcare benefits

Job summary

SAS in Cary, North Carolina is seeking a Vice President for Data, Analytics and AI to turn enterprise data into trusted intelligence and scalable capabilities. This executive will define the function’s charter, lead a global team, and partner with the C-suite to deliver measurable business value.

The role demands strong data governance, platform strategy, and hands-on leadership across data engineering, analytics and AI initiatives with a focus on adoption, trust and impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in computer science, data science, business analytics or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in data and analytics, including ownership of enterprise data strategy.
• Proven success leading enterprise-scale data, analytics or AI transformation.
• Experience establishing data governance and improving data quality.
• Executive-level communication and ability to translate data capabilities into business impact.
• Experience leading globally distributed teams of 40+ professionals.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the enterprise data, analytics and AI strategy and multi-year roadmap.
• Build the Data, Analytics and AI organization, including charter and operating model.
• Maximize value of enterprise data and AI platforms through trust and adoption.
• Establish governance and investment processes with clear ownership and accountability.
• Partner with C-suite and business leaders to translate strategy into scalable capabilities.
• Build, develop and lead global teams across engineering, architecture, governance, data science and operations.
• Communicate strategy and risks clearly at every level of the organization.
• Embrace curiosity, accountability and high-impact delivery in a complex landscape.

Skills

Data strategy

Executive leadership

Enterprise data

Governance

Communication

Global teams

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in computer science, data science, business analytics or related field

Tools

AI platforms

Data governance tools

Analytics platforms

Job description

Vice President, Data, Analytics and AI- Hybrid | Cary, North Carolina

We’re a leader in data and AI. Through our software and services, we inspire customers around the world to transform data into intelligence and questions into answers.

If you’re looking for a dynamic, fulfilling career with flexibility and a world-class employee experience, you’ll find it here. We’re recognized around the world for our inclusive, meaningful culture and innovative technologies by organizations like Fast Company, Forbes, Newsweek and more.

About the job

The Data, Analytics and AI organization is looking for a Vice President, Data, Analytics and AI to turn enterprise data into trusted intelligence, scalable AI and measurable business value. This executive will define the function’s charter and structure, establish a modern enterprise strategy and lead a global team across data, analytics, AI platforms, governance, architecture, engineering and adoption.

This is a high-impact opportunity for a business-minded technology leader who can bring clarity to a complex data landscape, align senior leaders around shared priorities and standards, and move the company from fragmented data and isolated use cases toward trusted, reusable enterprise capabilities.

As a Vice President, Data, Analytics and AI, you will:

• Define and execute the enterprise data, analytics and AI strategy and multi-year roadmap, aligned with corporate priorities and measurable business outcomes.

• Build the Data, Analytics and AI organization, including its charter, operating model, organizational structure, leadership team, capabilities and ways of working.

• Maximize the value of enterprise data, analytics and AI platforms by improving trust, usability, adoption, scalability and value realization.

• Establish transparent governance and investment processes that clarify ownership, priorities, standards, decision rights and accountability.

• Partner with the C-suite, technology leaders and business executives to identify high-value opportunities and translate strategy into scalable enterprise capabilities.

• Build, develop and lead high-performing global teams across engineering, architecture, governance, data science, analytics and operations.

• Communicate strategy, tradeoffs, risks, dependencies and outcomes clearly at every level of the organization.

• Embrace curiosity, passion, authenticity and accountability. These are our values and influence everything we do.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in computer science, data science, business analytics or related field.

• Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in data and analytics, including ownership and delivery of enterprise data strategy.

• Demonstrated success leading enterprise-scale data, analytics or AI transformation, including strategy development and operating-model evolution.

• Experience establishing data governance, improving data quality and driving adoption of trusted data across the business.

• Executive-level communication and influencing skills, with demonstrated ability to translate data, analytics and AI capabilities into business impact.

• Experience building and leading global, high-performing teams and balancing long-term strategy with hands‑on execution.

• Equivalent combination of related education, training and experience may be considered in place of the above qualifications.

Additional competencies, knowledge and skills

• Enterprise Strategy: Creates a clear, business-aligned vision and roadmap for enterprise data, analytics and AI capabilities.

• Leading Change: Builds alignment, establishes accountability and guides complex organizations through transformation and adoption.

• Executive Influence: Communicates with clarity, navigates tradeoffs and gains commitment from senior stakeholders across the enterprise.

• Experience serving as the senior-most data, analytics or AI leader within a large or complex organization.

• Experience modernizing multi-platform data environments and simplifying legacy data ecosystems.

• Deep expertise in enterprise data architecture, platforms, governance and advanced data‑management practices.

• Hands‑on leadership of AI platforms and responsible AI practices in a large, complex organization.

• Experience leading globally distributed teams of 40 or more professionals and building councils or federated stewardship models.

• Experience developing strategies across structured and unstructured data.

World-class benefits

Highlights include...

• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental and vision plans.
• Medical plan options include:
  • PPO with low annual deductible and copays.
  • HDHP combined with a health savings account with a contribution from SAS (no access to on‑site health care center).
• Onsite Health Care Center (HQ) that’s free to employees and family members enrolled in the PPO plan. There’s a pharmacy too! Not local to HQ? The pharmacy will ship prescriptions for no additional charge!
• An industry‑leading 401k plan.
• Tuition Assistance Program and programs and resources to support your development
• Generous time away including vacation time, a variety of paid holidays, and our much‑loved U.S. Winter Wellness Break between December 25 and January 1.
• Volunteer Time Off, parental leave and unlimited paid sick days.
• Generous childcare benefits for all full‑time employees.

You are welcome here.

At SAS, it’s not about fitting into our culture – it’s about adding to it. We believe our people make the difference. Our inclusive workforce brings together unique talents and inspires teams to create amazing software that reflects the diversity of our users and customers.

#LI-CC

Additional Information

To qualify, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States, and should not require, now or in the future, sponsorship for employment visa status. SAS is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law. Read more: Know Your Rights.

Resumes may be considered in the order they are received. SAS employees performing certain job functions may require access to technology or software subject to export or import regulations. To comply with these regulations, SAS may obtain nationality or citizenship information from applicants for employment. SAS collects this information solely for trade law compliance purposes and does not use it to discriminate unfairly in the hiring process.

SAS only sends emails from verified “sas.com” email addresses and never asks for sensitive, personal information or money. If you have any doubts about the authenticity of any type of communication from, or on behalf of SAS, please contact recruiting [e-mail].

Let’s stay in touch! Join our Talent Community to stay up to date on company news, job updates and more.