Head of Data & AI Practice, New York

ION Group•New York, NY

About The Position

Lab49 is seeking a senior leader to build and scale our Data & AI Practice, based in New York. This role sits at the intersection of consulting and technology - owning both the growth of the practice and the successful delivery of client engagements. You will play a key role in shaping our Data & AI strategy, leading high-impact client work, and driving pre-sales efforts across key accounts, particularly within financial services. Lab49 is an established partner for most financial institutions on Wall Street. You will gain exposureintoa variety of environments, business domains, technologies, and people. Your ability to bring drive and creativity to the role will be the keycomponentto success at Lab49. The broad and intense exposure to a variety of challenges accelerates your career growth, and Lab49’s structure is designed to enable you to learn and grow as an engineer and consultant. Our total rewards program is designed to support employee well-being and professional growth. We offer a competitive benefits package including a discretionary bonus, paid holidays, a 401(k), and comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage. Additional benefits include life insurance, short and long-term disability, Commuter FSA, Family Building Benefits, and more. All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements. Lab49/ION is committed to maintaining a supportive and inclusive environment for people with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We respect the varied identities, abilities, cultures, and traditions of the individuals who comprise our organization and recognize the value that different backgrounds and points of view bring to our business. Lab49/ION adheres to an equal employment opportunity policy that prohibits discriminatory practices or harassment against applicants or employees based on any legally impermissible factor. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

Requirements

Strong experience in data, analytics, and AI, with a mix of hands-on and leadership exposure
Background in consulting or client-facing environments (not necessarily exclusively consulting)
Proven involvement in pre-sales activities, including shaping solutions and supporting deals
Solid understanding of modern data platforms, AI/ML, and data architecture
Leadership experience managing teams and delivering complex projects
Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage senior clients
Based in New York, with the ability to work closely with clients and internal teams

Nice To Haves

Experience working with financial services, capital markets, or similar industries is highly preferred

Responsibilities

Lead and grow the Data & AI practice, defining offerings, go-to-market strategy, and delivery standards
Partner with clients to identify opportunities, shape solutions, and drive business outcomes through data and AI
Actively contribute to pre-sales efforts - solutioning, proposals, client presentations, and deal support
Build and maintain senior client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor
Lead cross-functional teams across data engineering, analytics, and AI/ML
Collaborate with sales and account teams to expand existing engagements and win new business
Stay current on industry trends and bring innovative ideas to clients and internal teams