Senior Director, Data Services and Artificial Intelligence

Driscoll's

Watsonville

Description

Location:

US - Watsonville, California

Job Family

IT

Time Type

Full time

Job Requisition ID

R0007985

Experience Years

10+ Years of Experience

Employee Type

Regular

About The Opportunity

The Senior Director of Data Services and Artificial Intelligence (AI) will lead the strategy, delivery, and governance of enterprise data services and artificial intelligence initiatives. This role is responsible for building and scaling data platforms, driving the adoption of advanced analytics and AI, and enabling data-driven decision-making across the organization. The ideal candidate will be both a visionary leader and a pragmatic executor, with deep expertise in data architecture, data engineering, and applied AI.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

  • Develop and execute comprehensive enterprise data and AI strategy aligned with business goals
  • Drive the vision for a modern data ecosystem that supports advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI use cases
  • Lead, mentor, and scale a high-performing team across data engineering, data architecture, data governance, and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML)

Data Platform & Engineering

  • Oversee the development and maintenance of scalable, secure, and efficient data platforms (e.g., data lakes, data warehouses, data pipelines)
  • Champion best practices in data modeling, ETL/ELT processes, metadata management, and data quality
  • Lead data engineering teams to ensure reliable, high-quality data delivery and real-time streaming capabilities

Team Leadership

  • Hire, coach, and develop top talent across data, analytics, and AI disciplines
  • Foster a culture of continuous learning, experimentation, and cross-functional collaboration
  • Promote data literacy and data-driven decision-making across the organization

Analytics And AI/ML

  • Oversee model development, validation, deployment, and monitoring
  • Ensure responsible AI principles are applied, including fairness, explainability, and ethical use of AI
  • Enable self-service analytics and BI platforms for business teams

Stakeholder Engagement

  • Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment of data objectives and initiatives
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for data-related issues and concerns
  • Communicate data strategy, goals, and progress to employees, partners, and vendors

Policy Development And Compliance

  • Define and implement policies that govern data acquisition, storage, access, processing, and usage across the organization
  • Ensure compliance with data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) and manage data risk
  • Lead internal and external audits and assessments, ensuring the organization meets all compliance requirements

Candidate Profile

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or related field (Master’s or PhD preferred)
  • 5 years of relevant AI / Data Science experience in algorithm, data analysis, statistical analysis, data modelling & ML experience (AWS)
  • At least 10-15 years of progressive experience in data management, analytics, and AI/ML with a proven track record in a senior leadership role
  • Good understanding of Python, R, SQL, RDBMS, NoSQL databases and big data solutions, architecture issues
  • Familiarity with basic statistical techniques for prediction and optimization
  • Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) Architecture for Generative AI
  • Experience with AI frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch), orchestration tools (Airflow, Kubeflow), and data visualization platforms (Tableau, Power BI)
  • Deep understanding of data management principles, frameworks, and best practices, including DAMA-DMBOK, FAIR data principles, and data quality standards. Strong familiarity with global data privacy and protection regulations such as GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA, ensuring compliance and ethical handling of data across all jurisdictions
  • At least 10-12 years of global experience in leading data services teams

Preferred (other) Qualifications

  • PhD or Masters in Computer Science/Statistics or related fields
  • Strong presentation skills for internal, external, and executive audiences
  • A valid passport and the ability to travel internationally without restrictions

Compensation & Benefits

The following information is provided in good faith as a general description of the salary range and benefits for the position posted. The actual compensation offered to the successful candidate is dependent upon experience, skills, education, work location, internal pay equity, and other objective job-related factors.

Salary Range estimated for the Sr. Director, Data Services & AI: $172,000 to $300,000 USD.

Driscoll’s is committed to a culture of care and offers an attractive benefits package that includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, and disability coverage for positions working more than 30 hours per week. Other benefits include: 401(k) with employer match, profit-sharing participation, paid sick time, paid vacation, paid personal and family care leave, and a free Employee Assistance Program (EAP). More detailed information regarding the benefits package, will be shared during the application process.

About Driscolls

Driscoll's is the global market leader for fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. With more than 100 years of farming heritage and hundreds of independent growers around the world, Driscoll's is passionate about growing fresh, beautiful and delicious berries. Our values of humility, passion and trustworthiness have guided our mission to delight consumers around the world. Driscoll's exclusive patented berry varieties are developed through years of research using only natural breeding methods – meaning, no GMOs. From farm-to-table, we focus on delivering a high quality, premium berry experience with our many supply chain partners. Driscoll's is the trusted brand for Only the Finest Berries™.

Driscoll's es el proveedor líder en la comercialización de Fresas, Frambuesas, Zarzamoras y Arándanos Azules en el mundo. Con más de 100 años de herencia en agricultura y cientos de productores independiente alrededor del mundo, Driscoll's es una compañía apasionada por cultivar Berries frescas, hermosas y deliciosas. Nuestros valores de humildad, pasión y confianza han guiado nuestra misión de deleitar a los consumidores en el mundo. Las variedades exclusivas de Driscoll's han sido desarrolladas a través de años de investigación usando sólo métodos de mejoramiento natural. De la granja a la mesa, nos enfocamos en ofrecer una experiencia de alta calidad con apoyo de nuestros socios de la cadena de suministro. Driscoll's es la marca de confianza de sólo las mejores Berries.

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