(USA) Senior Manager, Data Science - AI Strategy (Spark Earnings Excellence)

Walmart•Bentonville, AR

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Data Science - AI Strategy will own and drive the AI and automation strategy for Walmart’s Spark Earnings Excellence team. The role identifies high-impact opportunities to automate manual work and apply AI and machine learning to earnings analysis, then works with business and technology partners to deliver solutions. It serves as a strategic bridge between business users and technology teams and is accountable for embedding AI throughout the team’s work. Spark Earnings Excellence ensures the accuracy, integrity, and quality of driver earnings each week. The team is developing an AI-first operating model across its pillars, using advanced data science and machine learning in partnership with business teams to improve outcomes for drivers and Walmart. The role will set a multi-year vision, establish scalable data, platform, and governance foundations, deliver agentic AI solutions, prioritize investments, and lead cross-functional teams from concept through production. It will also advance responsible AI practices, organizational AI fluency, and change management.

Requirements

At least 8 years in data science, analytics, or machine learning, including at least 3 years leading high-performing teams.
A demonstrated record of delivering machine learning and generative AI solutions with measurable business impact.
Deep expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning, anomaly detection, and experimentation.
Hands-on experience with Python, SQL, and machine learning frameworks.
Experience building generative AI and agentic AI systems from prototype through production.
Strong model evaluation practices, including evaluation design, drift monitoring, benchmarking, and observability.
Knowledge of data governance, controls, audits, sensitive data, and AI cost optimization.
Ability to translate ambiguous business problems into technical requirements and partner with engineering teams.
Ability to communicate complex models clearly to executives and non-technical audiences.
Meet one of the stated minimum qualification pathways: a relevant bachelor's degree and 5 years of analytics-related experience; a relevant master's degree and 3 years of analytics-related experience; or 7 years of experience in an analytics or related field.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or equivalent in a quantitative field.
Finance or Compliance experience.
Experience in data science, machine learning, or optimization models.
Ph.D. in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Information Technology, Operations Research, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, or Econometrics.
Successful completion of one or more assessments in Python, Spark, Scala, or R.
Supervisory experience.
Experience using open-source frameworks such as scikit-learn, TensorFlow, or Torch.
Knowledge of creating inclusive digital experiences and implementing WCAG 2.2 AA standards, assistive technologies, and digital accessibility best practices.

Responsibilities

Set and own the multi-year AI and automation vision across Spark Earnings Excellence pillars.
Architect scalable data, platform, and governance foundations that enable AI at enterprise scale.
Deliver agentic AI for payment validation, defect root-cause analysis, reconciliation, anomaly detection, and audit reporting.
Prioritize the portfolio through rigorous business cases that balance impact, effort, and risk.
Lead Engineering, Data Science, and platform teams from concept to production, with measurable outcomes.
Partner with Legal, Compliance, and InfoSec to advance responsible AI, including evaluations and drift monitoring.
Scale AI fluency and change management, and communicate impact to executive leadership.

Benefits

Competitive pay and performance-based bonus awards.
Medical, vision, and dental coverage.
401(k), stock purchase, and company-paid life insurance.
Paid time off, including sick leave, parental leave, family care leave, bereavement leave, jury duty, and voting leave.
Short-term and long-term disability.
Company discounts.
Military Leave Pay.
Adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement.
PTO and/or PPTO that may be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes.
Live Better U, a Walmart-paid education benefit program for eligible full-time and part-time associates, covering tuition, books, and fees for eligible programs.