Director of Applied AI & Data Science

Role Description

The Director of Applied AI & Data Science is a senior technical leader responsible for designing, engineering and operationalizing production grade AI solutions across Life Insurance, Investments, Membership, and Charities. This role focuses on building scalable and reliable AI systems, including machine learning and generative AI (LLM) capabilities, within a governed enterprise data and AI ecosystem.

This role provides technical leadership and oversight for the Senior Applied AI & Data Scientist, Applied AI & Data Scientist, and Senior Data & AI Solutions Architect. The Director of Applied AI & Data Science ensures solutions are production-ready, resilient, cost-effective, and aligned to responsible AI and regulatory standards.

Core Responsibilities

• Develop and deploy advanced statistical, machine learning, and AI models supporting insurance, actuarial, claims, and investment decision-making.
• Design and deliver LLM-enabled analytics and Deep Research solutions, including RAG-based approaches over structured and unstructured data.
• Perform hands-on data analysis, feature engineering, and model development using enterprise platforms (Snowflake, PostgreSQL, DB2).
• Define model success metrics, validation approaches, and explainability standards aligned to business and regulatory expectations.
• Partner with data engineers and architects to produce models, establish monitoring, and manage model lifecycle and drift.
• Apply responsible AI practices including bias assessment, transparency, and documentation for audit and compliance review.
• Communicate analytical insights and model outcomes clearly to business leaders and technical stakeholders.
• Collaborate across analytics, engineering, risk, and compliance teams to ensure scalable, governed AI and analytics delivery.

Qualifications

• Strong experience with Python and SQL and production system development.
• Experience with Snowflake and relational databases such as PostgreSQL.
• Experience with API development, pipelines, and system integration.
• Experience with monitoring, CI/CD, and operational lifecycle management of AI systems.
• Proven ability to lead technical teams and deliver complex solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in financial services or other regulated industries.
• Experience with DB2 or legacy-to-cloud data migration.

Education

• 8+ years of experience in software engineering, data engineering, or ML engineering.
• 3+ years delivering production AI/ML and/or GenAI solutions (RAG, agents, or similar).

Compensation

The wage range for this role takes into account a broad array of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to: skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The range below applies as long as the work is performed in Connecticut; the Knights of Columbus reserves the right to adjust the wage range if the position is performed in another location. At the Knights of Columbus, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $140,000 - $238,000.

Authorization to work in the United States is required. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Physical Demands

Must be able to remain in a stationary position for a majority of the workday.

Benefits

• Time Away: 13 paid holidays per year in addition to vacation and paid sick leave, and flexible workweek schedules.
• Professional Development: Certifications, designation, and tuition reimbursement.
• Retirement Benefits: 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching company contributions, and cash balance retirement plans fully funded by the company.
• Health and Wellness:
  • Short-term disability and term life insurance fully paid for by the company;
  • Up to 12 weeks of childbirth leave under STD policy.
  • One week of fully paid parental leave for all new parents, including adoptive and foster parents.
  • A variety of health insurance options, including premium-level family coverage and a pre-tax Health Savings Account with employer contributions. The Order's health plans do not cover abortion, sterilization, or contraception, and the Order has helped advocate for other employers who do not want to provide coverage.
  • Long-term disability insurance;
  • Dental insurance;
  • Vision insurance;
  • Health club membership reimbursement;
  • Employee Assistance Program.