AI Leader – Hands-on Smart Program Lead
Location: Atlanta, GA (Remote)
Duration: 12+ months
Client is seeking a highly experienced and strategic AI Leader – Hands-on Smart Program Lead with 10+ years of industry experience to drive enterprise-wide AI transformation initiatives. The ideal candidate will combine strong leadership qualities with deep technical expertise in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Engineering, and Program Delivery.
This role requires a leader who can define AI strategy, lead cross-functional teams, engage with executive stakeholders, and remain hands-on in designing and implementing intelligent solutions that create measurable business value.
Key Responsibilities
AI Strategy & Leadership
- Define and drive enterprise AI/ML strategy aligned with business goals and digital transformation initiatives.
- Lead large-scale AI programs across business units including automation, predictive analytics, GenAI, NLP, Computer Vision, and intelligent decision systems.
- Build AI roadmaps, innovation frameworks, and execution plans for enterprise adoption.
- Act as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on AI opportunities, risks, and investments.
Hands-on Program Management
- Own end-to-end delivery of AI programs from ideation through deployment and optimization.
- Lead architecture discussions and participate in hands-on design, model development, and solution reviews.
- Ensure successful execution of multiple concurrent AI initiatives with strong governance and delivery excellence.
- Manage timelines, budgets, risks, dependencies, and stakeholder expectations.
Technical Leadership
- Provide technical direction on AI/ML model development, MLOps, LLM integrations, cloud AI platforms, and data engineering pipelines.
- Review solution architecture involving Python, SQL, Snowflake, Databricks, Azure/AWS/GCP AI services.
- Guide teams on model selection, feature engineering, experimentation, deployment, and performance monitoring.
- Drive best practices for Responsible AI, model governance, security, and compliance.
Team Building & Mentorship
- Lead and mentor Data Scientists, ML Engineers, Data Engineers, and AI Solution Architects.
- Build high-performing AI delivery teams with strong ownership and innovation mindset.
- Conduct technical reviews, leadership coaching, and performance development.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Stakeholder & Client Engagement
- Partner with business leaders, clients, and product owners to translate business problems into AI solutions.
- Present AI strategy, architecture, delivery status, and ROI to senior leadership and clients.
- Support pre-sales, solution consulting, proposal development, and strategic client discussions.
Required Skills
Technical Skills
- Strong expertise in AI/ML, Deep Learning, NLP, GenAI, LLMs, Predictive Analytics, and Data Science workflows
- Hands-on experience with Python, SQL, Spark, Snowflake, Databricks
- Experience with cloud platforms: Azure AI, AWS AI/ML, or Google Cloud AI
- Knowledge of MLOps, model deployment, CI/CD pipelines, ML lifecycle management
- Experience with tools like TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn, OpenAI, LangChain, Vector DBs
Leadership Skills
- Exceptional program leadership and executive stakeholder management
- Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and strategic planning abilities
- Proven experience leading enterprise-scale transformation programs
- Excellent communication, presentation, and team management skills
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or related field
- 10+ years of experience in technology leadership with strong exposure to AI/ML programs
- Proven experience leading enterprise AI transformation initiatives
- Experience managing large distributed teams and global delivery models
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in GenAI, LLM-based enterprise applications, and AI product strategy
- Exposure to consulting, enterprise architecture, and client-facing leadership roles
- Certifications in Cloud AI/ML platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP)
- Experience across industries such as Healthcare, Finance, Retail, Manufacturing, or Energy
Leadership Qualities Expected
- Visionary and strategic thinker
- Strong ownership and accountability
- Excellent people leadership and mentoring ability
- High emotional intelligence and executive presence
- Results-driven with innovation mindset
- Strong collaboration and influence across organizations
Metasys Technologies is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, veteran or disability status.
