Senior Director, Data and AI

Our digital solutions team is more than a traditional IT organization. We are a team of passionate, collaborative, agile, inventive, customer-centric, results-oriented problem solvers. We are intellectually curious, love advancements in technology and seek to adapt technologies to drive Staples forward. We anticipate the needs of our customers and business partners and deliver reliable, customer-centric technology services.

The Senior Director, Data Product and AI Delivery defines and executes the enterprise strategy, operating model, portfolio, and delivery roadmap for data products, data platforms, artificial intelligence, and data-driven transformation. This leader converts business priorities into scalable, secure, governed, and adopted data and AI solutions that improve decisions, automate work, strengthen customer and partner experiences, and deliver measurable value. The role leads a strategically important, business-critical function through Directors, Senior Managers, and Managers, with accountability for portfolio governance, responsible AI, platform modernization, resource allocation, investment planning, and production delivery.

What you’ll be doing:

• Define and execute the enterprise strategy and multi-year roadmap for data products, data platforms, machine learning, generative AI, advanced analytics, and intelligent automation.

• Translate business priorities into product portfolios, investment plans, operating objectives, delivery roadmaps, and measurable outcomes.

• Own the data and AI product lifecycle from intake and prioritization through funding, delivery, adoption, optimization, and retirement.

• Prioritize investments based on strategic alignment, business value, customer impact, feasibility, risk, readiness, and total cost of ownership.

• Translate AI strategy into production-ready applications for Supply Chain, Marketplace, and other business workflows.

• Partner with business, Product, Engineering, Architecture, Security, Legal, Privacy, Risk, and Finance leaders to deliver scalable solutions.

• Establish enterprise standards and operating models for data products, responsible AI, data quality, stewardship, privacy, security, and model governance.

• Guide modernization of cloud data platforms, AI platforms, architecture, integrations, observability, and model operations.

• Monitor portfolio delivery, adoption, reliability, financial performance, risk, and realized business value.

• Develop multi-year investment plans, annual budgets, capacity plans, workforce strategies, and vendor roadmaps.

• Lead strategic vendor selection, contract negotiations, performance management, and remediation.

• Lead Directors, Senior Managers, Managers, product leaders, and multidisciplinary data and AI teams while building an inclusive, accountable, outcome-oriented culture.

• Recruit, coach, develop, and retain leaders, and maintain succession and development strategies for critical leadership and technical roles.

What you bring to the table:

• Strategic leadership with the ability to develop and execute enterprise data and AI strategies.

• Executive communication skills and the ability to translate complex data, AI, technology, investment, and risk topics into clear business terms.

• Stakeholder influence and the ability to build alignment and drive results across functions and leadership levels.

• Strong business acumen with the ability to connect data and AI investments to measurable business outcomes.

• Change leadership experience and the ability to guide enterprise transformation and sustained adoption.

• Sound judgment and decision-making in complex, ambiguous, and high-impact situations.

• Talent leadership with a track record of building, developing, and retaining high-performing leadership teams.

• An innovation mindset focused on identifying and scaling practical, responsible data and AI solutions.

What’s needed- Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, Engineering, Business, Technology Management, or a related field or equivalent work experience.

• 12+ years of progressive experience in data products, data platforms, analytics, artificial intelligence, technology strategy, digital transformation, product management, or a related field.

• 7+ years of formal people management experience.

• 5+ years leading Directors, Senior Managers, or equivalent leaders.

• 5+ years leading enterprise-scale transformation, product portfolio, platform modernization, or AI delivery initiatives.

• Experience leading at least one enterprise transformation or product portfolio spanning three or more business functions, business units, or operating domains.

• Experience owning a multi-year data, AI, platform, or digital product strategy that included objectives, investments, governance, roadmaps, and outcomes.

• Experience delivering at least two production data, analytics, automation, machine learning, or AI capabilities with defined adoption and business outcome measures.

• Experience presenting strategy, investment, portfolio, or risk recommendations directly to Vice President-level or higher leaders.

• Experience managing a data, analytics, AI, platform, or technology portfolio with budget, capacity, vendor, milestone, risk, and value accountability.

• Experience establishing or materially redesigning at least one operating model or governance framework for data products, platforms, data management, AI, or responsible technology use.

• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives involving business or Product, Engineering, Architecture, Security, Privacy or Legal, Finance, and Operations.

• Experience leading vendor selection, contract negotiation, performance management, or remediation for at least one strategic technology or data partner.

What’s needed- Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or MBA in a relevant discipline.

• Experience developing and executing an enterprise AI, machine learning, generative AI, or responsible AI strategy.

• Experience delivering at least one production AI or advanced analytics capability in Supply Chain.

• Experience delivering at least one production AI or advanced analytics capability in Marketplace, digital commerce, merchandising, or a comparable channel.

• Experience leading modernization of a cloud-based data or AI platform serving multiple business domains.

• Experience building or scaling a data product, AI product, analytics product, platform product, or AI delivery organization of 25+ employees and contractors.

• Experience managing annual operating and investment budgets totaling $10 million or more.

• Experience leading three or more complex vendor negotiations or strategic technology partnerships.

• At least one current certification in cloud technology, AI, product management, agile delivery, data management, program management, security, or enterprise architecture.

• Demonstrated measurable business value from data or AI initiatives through revenue, margin, productivity, service, working capital, risk, quality, or customer-experience results.

We Offer:

• Inclusive culture with associate-led Business Resource Groups

• 22 days of PTO and Holiday Schedule (7 observed paid holidays + 1 floating holiday)

• Online and Retail Discounts, Company Match 401(k), Physical and Mental Health Wellness programs, and more!

The salary range represents the expected compensation for this role at the time of posting. The specific base pay may be influenced by a variety of factors to include the candidate's experience, skill set, education, geography, business considerations, and internal equity. In addition to base pay, this role may be eligible for bonuses, or other forms of variable compensation.

Staples is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.