Vice President - (Data & AI Engineering)

VDart has been retained on an exclusive basis by our customer to conduct an executive search for a Vice President – (Data & AI Engineering). This role will be responsible as a market leader in helping organizations build AI-ready data foundations. They will oversee the design, delivery, and evolution of modern data architectures that enable analytics, machine learning, generative AI, agentic AI, and enterprise automation. The VP of Data & AI Engineering will serve as a key member of the AI leadership team, partnering closely with the Head of AI, the VP of AI Engineering, Global Delivery leadership, and client executives to drive both internal transformation and external revenue growth. This role combines technical leadership, business strategy, delivery oversight, thought leadership, and capability development.

About Our Client:

Led by industry veterans with extensive experience in financial services and technology transformation, the leadership team is dedicated to reshaping how institutions operate in today’s rapidly evolving landscape. Their collective expertise provides deep insights into institutional challenges, regulatory complexity, and growth opportunities, enabling the design of forward-looking solutions that balance immediate priorities with long-term resilience. Every engagement is anchored in strategic clarity and measurable impact. By adopting a solution-driven approach, they confidently embrace complex challenges and unlock new possibilities for clients.

Position : Vice President - Data & AI Engineering

Location Preferred : Chicago, IL & Dallas, TX OR anywhere in Central time zone

Function : Analytics, Machine learning, Generative AI, Agentic AI, and Enterprise Automation

Position Type : Full-Time

Opportunity for Impact

We are hiring Vice President of Data & AI Engineering to lead enterprise data strategy, AI data platforms,

and client-facing data transformation capabilities. This leader will drive AI-ready data foundations,

modern data architectures, analytics, machine learning, generative AI, and enterprise automation

initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• 5+ years in data engineering, data architecture, analytics, or AI-related leadership roles

• Experience with cloud data platforms including Databricks, Snowflake, Microsoft Fabric, AWS, or

Google Cloud

• Experience with enterprise data governance programs

• Experience supporting AI and machine learning initiatives

• Experience leading multi-million-dollar transformation programs

• Consulting or professional services leadership experience preferred

• Experience building reusable frameworks, accelerators, and intellectual property

• Enterprise Data Strategy

Establish best practice for

• Data platforms and modernization

• Data governance

• Master data management

• Metadata and cataloging

• Data quality and observability

• Data security and compliance

• Data products and domain ownership

• Semantic layers and business context

• Develop reusable frameworks and methodologies that can be applied across clients and

industries.

AI Data Foundations

Own the data capabilities that enable successful AI adoption.

Lead initiatives involving:

• AI-ready data estates

• Enterprise knowledge architectures

• Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG)

• Vector databases and semantic search

• Agentic data access patterns

• Data contracts and governance

• Enterprise memory systems

• Knowledge graphs and semantic models

• Data lineage and traceability

Client Delivery Leadership

Serve as executive sponsor and technical leader for strategic client engagements.

Provide leadership across:

• Data modernization programs

• Cloud data platform initiatives

• Data governance transformations

• AI readiness assessments

• Data operating model transformations

• Data strategy and architecture engagements

• Enterprise AI platform implementations

• Partner with delivery teams to ensure quality, consistency, and successful outcomes.

Go-To-Market Leadership

Work closely with the AI Office and vertical leadership teams to develop market-facing data and AI

offerings.

Support:

• Executive workshops

• AI readiness assessments

• Data estate modernization offerings

• Data governance services

• AI platform implementations

• Thought leadership content

• Industry speaking engagements

• Sales pursuits and solutioning

• Act as a senior executive presence in client conversations and strategic opportunities.

Capability Development

Build and scale Data & AI Engineering practice.

Responsibilities include:

• Talent acquisition and development

• Technical mentorship

• Capability planning

• Delivery standards

• Reusable accelerators and IP

• Partnership development

• Training and certification programs

• Create a world-class team capable of supporting enterprise-scale data and AI transformations.

Internal Transformation

Partner with the AI Office to modernize own data capabilities.

Drive initiatives related to:

• Internal data platforms

• Enterprise reporting and analytics

• AI governance and monitoring

• Data stewardship

• AI observability

• Data quality automation

• Knowledge management

• AI-ready operating models

• Help establish as a living example of the capabilities we bring to clients.

Leadership Expectations

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Executive-level communication skills

• Deep expertise in modern data platforms

• Strong understanding of AI and generative AI architectures

• Experience leading large-scale transformation programs

• Ability to connect technical decisions to business outcomes

• Strong client-facing consulting experience

• Track record of building and scaling teams

• Ability to operate in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment

Success Measures

This leader will be measured on:

• Growth of Data & AI Engineering revenue

• Client satisfaction and delivery outcomes

• Expansion of data capabilities

• Development of reusable IP and accelerators

• Team growth and talent development

• AI readiness and modernization outcomes delivered to clients

• Contribution to AI strategy and market positioning

About VDart:

VDart is a global IT staffing and digital solutions provider founded in 2007, headquartered in Atlanta, GA. Built on a strong foundation of innovation and inclusion, we enable Fortune 500 and high-growth enterprises to build agile, digital-first workforces through a consultative, domain-led approach and global delivery excellence. Our consistent industry recognition including ranking among SIA’s largest U.S. staffing firms and earning multiple National Supplier of the Year honors reflects the strength of our execution and client impact. Our commitment to responsible growth is demonstrated through EcoVadis sustainability recognition, while our people-centric culture has been validated with Great Place to Work® certification. Our leadership’s entrepreneurial vision has also been acknowledged through distinguished industry awards. Collectively, these achievements underscore our credibility as a strategic partner in talent and digital transformation.

Call to Action:

If you are ready to shape the future with us, write to elevate@vdartinc.com↗️ Our executive talent advisory team will engage with you to explore aligned opportunities.