Senior Vice President, Chief Data, Applied AI and Technology Innovation Officer

Unum Group•Chattanooga, TN

About The Position

When you join the team at Unum, you become part of an organization committed to helping you thrive. Here, we work to provide the employee benefits and service solutions that enable employees at our client companies to thrive throughout life’s moments. And this starts with ensuring that every one of our team members enjoys opportunities to succeed both professionally and personally. To enable this, we provide: Award-winning culture Inclusion and diversity as a priority Performance Based Incentive Plans Competitive benefits package that includes: Health, Vision, Dental, Short & Long-Term Disability Generous PTO (including paid time to volunteer!) Up to 9.5% 401(k) employer contribution Mental health support Career advancement opportunities Student loan repayment options Tuition reimbursement Flexible work environments All the benefits listed above are subject to the terms of their individual Plans . And that’s just the beginning… With 10,000 employees helping more than 39 million people worldwide, every role at Unum is meaningful and impacts the lives of our customers. Whether you’re directly supporting a growing family, or developing online tools to help navigate a difficult loss, customers are counting on the combined talents of our entire team. Help us help others, and join Team Unum today! General Summary: The Senior Vice President, Chief Data, Applied AI and Technology Innovation Officer (SVP) is a transformative executive leader, reporting to the EVP, CIDO responsible for leading, driving and executing Unum’s Enterprise-wide AI, Technology Innovation and Data strategy. This role drives research and development efforts, fosters a culture of modernization and continuous innovation, and ensures the strategic value of data across the organization to deliver business value and results. As Unum’s Chief Data Officer, the SVP leads the governance, architecture, quality, and ethical use of data assets, enabling data-driven decision-making, regulatory compliance, and business innovation. The SVP will serve as a thought leader for a talented team of innovators and data professionals, collaborating across functions to integrate AI, ML, and analytics into core operations. This role sits on Unum’s Innovation Steering Committee and is a key member of the technology leadership team.

Requirements

15-20 years of relevant experience; Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred
Executive leadership experience in AI/ML, data strategy, and innovation within a complex, regulated industry—preferably insurance, financial services, or healthcare.
Proven track record as a Chief Data Officer , Head of AI/ML, or SVP of Innovation, with experience leading enterprise-wide transformation initiatives.
Deep expertise in data governance, architecture, and analytics platforms , including cloud-based ecosystems and modern data stacks.
Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) and ethical considerations in AI and data usage.
Experience managing large, cross-functional teams and budgets in a matrixed, global environment .
Demonstrated ability to translate emerging technologies into business value , driving measurable outcomes in operational efficiency, customer experience, and revenue growth.
Strategic Vision & Execution : Ability to set and drive a long-term roadmap for AI, innovation, and data strategy aligned with enterprise goals.
Enterprise Data Leadership : Expertise in building scalable data platforms, governance models, and analytics capabilities.
Innovation Mindset : Passion for experimentation, emerging technologies, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Cross-Functional Collaboration : Skilled in influencing and partnering across business units, including Technology, Product, Operations, and Finance.
Change Leadership : Proven success in leading organizational change, digital transformation, and workforce enablement.
Executive Communication : Ability to communicate complex technical concepts and strategic initiatives to senior stakeholders and the board.

Responsibilities

AI, ML, and Technology Innovation Leadership Develop and execute a strategic vision for AI/ML and innovation, aligning initiatives with business goals and long-term objectives.
Lead AI research and development efforts, exploring emerging technologies and overseeing the creation of innovative solutions that deliver measurable value.
Accelerate the delivery of strategic initiatives, through an optimized innovation model that enhances organizational agility, and drives sustainable competitive advantage, unlocking new value streams and business transformation.
Foster a culture of modernization, continuous improvement and innovation across the enterprise.
Chief Data Officer Responsibilities Serve as Unum’s Chief Data Officer , responsible for the strategic direction, governance, and oversight of enterprise data assets.
Design and implement a comprehensive enterprise data strategy , ensuring data is accurate, secure, accessible, and aligned with business priorities.
Establish and lead a data governance framework , including policies, standards, and procedures to ensure data integrity, compliance (e.g., GDPR, CCPA), and ethical use.
Oversee the development and scalability of Unum’s data infrastructure , including data lakes, warehouses, and analytics platforms.
Promote data literacy and a culture of data-driven decision-making across all levels of the organization.
Collaborate with IT, Finance, Product, and Operations to ensure data systems support strategic and operational needs.
Monitor and report on data quality, analytics ROI, and compliance metrics to executive leadership and the board.
Team Leadership & Organizational Enablement Lead cross-functional teams of approximately 70 across Decision Technologies, Innovation, AI Product Management, Data Science & AI/ML, Program Management, Technical Architecture, and AI Product Engineering.
Build and mentor a diverse, high-performing team of data and AI professionals, fostering a collaborative and innovative culture.
Manage budgets and resources efficiently, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Strategic Partnerships Collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify and implement AI and data-driven solutions that enhance business functions.
Establish strategic partnerships with external organizations to access cutting-edge research, technologies, and talent.
Communicate innovation and data initiatives, progress, and outcomes to executive leadership and the broader organization.
Compliance, Ethics, and Industry Leadership Ensure all AI and data initiatives comply with legal, regulatory, and ethical standards.
Stay informed on global industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitive intelligence to maintain Unum’s leadership position.

Benefits

Award-winning culture
Inclusion and diversity as a priority
Performance Based Incentive Plans
Competitive benefits package that includes: Health, Vision, Dental, Short & Long-Term Disability
Generous PTO (including paid time to volunteer!)
Up to 9.5% 401(k) employer contribution
Mental health support
Career advancement opportunities
Student loan repayment options
Tuition reimbursement
Flexible work environments