AVP, Data Science
About The Position
The AVP, Data Science is a senior leader in MetLife’s Enterprise Data Science & AI function, reporting to the Head of Data Science & AI. The role drives delivery and enterprise adoption of data science, machine learning, and generative AI solutions across the company’s global businesses and functions. It oversees Applied Data Science and Enterprise AI Capabilities and leads a team of 6–8 data scientists and ML engineers. The AVP partners with business leaders and regional data officers to identify and deliver high-value use cases supporting growth, profitability, and operational efficiency. The role ensures solutions progress beyond pilots into production, where they are adopted and monitored, and builds reusable, production-grade AI capabilities and standards. Working closely with data engineering, technology, risk, and governance partners, the AVP helps regions deliver solutions with greater speed, consistency, and quality. This is both a technical and change-leadership role in a federated global organization. The AVP applies expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning, and generative AI, while balancing innovation and creative problem solving with operational rigor and responsible AI in a regulated environment. The role has a product mindset focused on user experience and measurable business impact. The position is hybrid, requiring at least three days per week in the office. The posting lists Cary, North Carolina, as the location, with New York, New York, also listed as an alternative posting location. Travel is 10%.
Requirements
- 10+ years of significant experience delivering data science, machine learning, and AI solutions.
- Expert-level proficiency in statistical modeling, machine learning, and generative AI.
- Familiarity with MLOps/AIOps and modern technology stacks, including the model lifecycle (deployment, monitoring, and retraining), cloud ML platforms, and generative AI evaluation.
- Experience delivering applied technology transformation with measured business outcomes, including moving solutions from pilot to scaled production.
- Strong product mindset oriented toward user experience and tangible business impact, balanced with innovation and creative problem solving.
- 4+ years of people leadership experience coaching, developing, and leading a team.
- Stakeholder-management skills and ability to communicate with and influence senior business and technology leaders across a complex global environment.
- Degree in a quantitative or technical field required.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree preferred.
- Model governance experience and experience delivering AI/ML solutions in a regulated industry such as insurance or financial services.
- Experience operating at global Fortune 500 scale and complexity.
Responsibilities
- Lead delivery of data science, machine learning, and AI solutions across key business areas, from problem definition through deployment and ongoing performance monitoring, with accountability for adoption and measurable business impact.
- Partner with business leaders and regional data officers to identify, prioritize, and execute high-impact AI use cases tied to growth, profitability, and operational efficiency.
- Apply a product approach by defining users, adoption, and value measures up front; delivering a strong user experience; and ensuring solutions are used, supported, and improved after launch.
- Apply advanced statistical modeling, machine learning, and generative AI techniques to complex business problems, selecting appropriate methods and translating insights into actionable recommendations.
- Drive experimentation through pilots and proofs of value, scaling successful solutions and stopping those that do not earn adoption.
- Collaborate with data engineering, technology, and platform teams to build and scale enterprise-grade MLOps/AIOps capabilities, including model development, deployment, and monitoring.
- Promote reuse and standardization of models, data assets, and AI components across regions and teams.
- Contribute to the Data Science & AI Center of Excellence and communities of practice by sharing best practices, standards, and reusable tools and encouraging knowledge sharing and adoption of modern approaches.
- Partner with risk, legal, and governance teams to meet regulatory, ethical, and data protection requirements, and build to model governance standards for performance monitoring, fairness, transparency, and reliability.
- Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of data scientists and ML engineers, fostering collaboration, accountability, continuous learning, innovation, and results.
- Partner with the Head of Data Science & AI to shape priorities and the roadmap, represent the function with regional leaders and business partners, and communicate progress, value, and risks to senior stakeholders.
Benefits
- Comprehensive health plan including medical/prescription drug, vision, and dental insurance.
- No-cost short- and long-term disability insurance.
- Company-paid life insurance and legal services.
- Retirement pension funded entirely by MetLife.
- 401(k) with employer matching.
- Group discounts on voluntary insurance products, including auto and home, pet, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance.
- Employee Assistance Program and digital mental health programs.
- Parental leave.
- Paid time off.
- Paid holidays.
- Volunteer time off.
- Tuition assistance.
- Annual short-term incentive compensation and stock-based long-term incentives may be available, subject to applicable plan terms.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
