AI Incubation Lab, Lead [Remote]

At Deckers Brands, Together, Every Step is a promise kept that every employee can bring their authentic self, is valued and supported, as a whole person, at work and beyond. Together, Every Step is how we continue to deliver exceptional business results, experience an amazing place to work, and have a positive impact on the communities and world around us. 

Job Title: AI Incubation Lab, Lead

Reports to: VP, Chief Data Officer

Location: United States (Remote)

Interested applicants must reside in one of the following approved states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Washington. 

The Role

Are you passionate about the intersection of innovation and impact? As the AI Incubation Lab, Lead, you will be the driving force behind our AI and machine learning initiatives, connecting cutting-edge technology with real business value. You will work closely with internal partners to identify, shape, and deliver AI solutions that align with our strategic priorities. Your role will be pivotal in supporting ideation, solution framing, experimentation, and transitioning AI use cases into scalable products. Join us in leading the charge towards a future where AI transforms our business and creates meaningful impact.

We celebrate diversity--of your background, your experiences and your unique identity. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and equitable workplace where all of our employees can Come as They Are. We believe that when we bring our different perspectives to work, we are truly Better Together.

Your Impact

• Strategic Engagement and Use Case Development:
  • Drive collaboration with cross-functional teams to identify high-impact opportunities for AI and advanced analytics.
  • Translate business needs into well-defined AI use cases in alignment with enterprise strategy and data capabilities.
  • Lead intake, framing, and prioritization processes for AI Lab initiatives in partnership with product and delivery leaders.
  • Ensure that AI engagements are grounded in real business value, feasibility, and ethical principles.
• Communication and Stakeholder Alignment:
  • Act as the primary liaison between business units and the AI Lab, ensuring consistent communication and shared expectations.
  • Create clear and compelling narratives, presentations, and summaries to communicate AI opportunities and outcomes to a range of stakeholders.
  • Evangelize AI across the organization by promoting education, storytelling, and transparency in partnership with data literacy programs.
• Governance and Enablement:
  • Ensure all AI Lab engagements adhere to internal governance standards, including data privacy, fairness, transparency, and compliance.
  • Promote ethical AI practices and responsible innovation by incorporating enterprise guidelines into the AI engagement lifecycle.
  • Support the transition of successful AI pilots into long-term products through structured handoffs to product, delivery, and platform teams.

Who You Are

• Education/Certifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree required (Business, Data Science, Analytics, or related field)
  • Master’s degree preferred
  • Certifications in AI/ML, program management, or product ownership are a plus
• Work Experience:
  • 7+ years of experience in data, AI/ML, analytics, or digital innovation programs
  • Experience managing stakeholder engagement and delivery across multiple business domains
  • Experience supporting AI product development or leading AI innovation initiatives in a corporate setting
  • Exposure to cloud-based data and ML ecosystems (AWS preferred)
• Skills/Competencies:
  • Strong understanding of AI/ML concepts, capabilities, and real-world applications
  • Ability to translate business challenges into data science opportunities and vice versa
  • Skilled in cross-functional leadership, stakeholder engagement, and influence without authority
  • Excellent verbal, visual, and written communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences
  • Agile mindset with strong problem-solving and program coordination abilities
  • Passion for innovation, learning, and bridging the gap between experimentation and execution

What We'll Give You –

• Competitive Pay and Bonuses - We’ve created a variety of competitive compensation programs to foster career development, reward success and to show our employees just how much they’re valued.
• Financial Planning and wellbeing - No matter what financial goals our employees have set, we want to help them get there. Our plans provide powerful ways to protect income, pay for expenses and invest in the future.
• Time away from work - Sometimes we need time away to be with family, focus on our health or just simply recharge. Our plans support our employees’ needs to get out, get healthy and come back stronger than ever.
• Extras, discounts and perks - Being a valued member of the Deckers Brands team means more than just a paycheck. From generous discounts to community-based programs, we offer a variety of cool extras
• Growth and Development - Deckers Brands was built on the idea of pursuing passion. That’s why we offer extensive opportunities and support for personal and professional development.
• Health and Wellness - There’s nothing basic about our comprehensive health and wellness programs and offerings. While at work and at play, we aim to support a healthy lifestyle.
  

Comp Team adds the salary range for roles based in Goleta, CA, US Remote, or any other state that requires pay posting. Comp will not add the salary range for roles based in states that do not require pay posting, such as Oregon.

$140,000 - 150,000

The salary range posted reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for this role in our Goleta, CA location. Individual pay will be determined by location and additional factors, including job related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Diversity and inclusion are key to our success. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and our employees are people with different strengths, experiences and backgrounds who share a passion for our brands. We welcome qualified applicants regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, military or veteran status, mental or physical disability, medical condition and all the other beautiful parts of your identity.