Director of Data & AI, South Pole
Climate solutions provider
Be an early applicant
Climate solutions provider
501-1000 employees
Be an early applicant
501-1000 employees
Company mission
To deliver climate impact at scale.
Role
Who you are
- Experience: 8+ years in technology leadership, with at least 3+ years specifically focused on implementing Machine Learning or Generative AI solutions
- Technical Fluency: Deep understanding of the AI lifecycle (data preparation, fine-tuning, RAG architecture, and deployment). While you may not code daily, you can conduct a technical review of an architecture diagram
- Data Engineering Fluency: Deep knowledge of data warehousing, ETL/ELT processes, and data modeling
- Business Acumen: Proven ability to translate complex technical concepts into "business speak" for stakeholders and clients
- Pragmatism: A "product-first" mindset—you value a simple solution that works today over a perfect model that takes a year to build
What the job involves
- We are looking for a high-impact Head of Data & AI to serve as our lead architect and strategist for AI adoption as well as lead our Data and Insights team
- This is a senior role for an AI leader who understands that an AI strategy is only as good as the data infrastructure supporting it
- You will be the bridge between our raw data silos and actionable AI implementation, working cross-functionally to prepare our environment for enterprise-scale AI
- This role requires a leader who can define a high-level AI strategy, manage the tactical roadmap, and roll up their sleeves to oversee the operational deployment of AI-driven products and processes
- AI Opportunity Mapping: Identify and prioritize high-impact areas across the business where AI can drive revenue or efficiency. Design the roadmap and bring to implementation while partnering with the Business Lines/Functional AI champions
- Executive Advisory: Act as the primary subject matter expert for the leadership team on AI trends, risks, and competitive advantages
- Governance & Ethics: Develop frameworks for responsible AI use, ensuring data privacy, transparency, and compliance with emerging regulations
- Portfolio Management: Manage a pipeline of AI projects from "Proof of Concept" (PoC) to full-scale production
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Be the sparring partner to the Business Leads and AI champions on the AI efficiencies and implementation in the business context. Partner with Product, Engineering, and Data teams to ensure AI initiatives are technically feasible and aligned with the core product
- Data Readiness Audit: Evaluate and map disparate data sources across the organization to determine "AI-readiness" (quality, labeling, and accessibility)
- Infrastructure Design: Architect the "AI Pipeline"—identifying the necessary data sources, vector databases, and MLOps tools needed to move from local pilots to production
- Lead AI Implementation: Oversee the day-to-day progress of AI developments, removing blockers and ensuring high-quality output
- Performance Monitoring: Define and track KPIs for all deployed models
- Organizational Upskilling: Partner with People and Culture on the Organizational upskilling program to ensure the AI adoption is broad, including internal workshops and training to upskill non-technical staff on how to use AI tools effectively in their daily workflows. In collaboration, design dedicated online education channels and measure the adoption
- Stakeholder Navigation: Act as the primary liaison between technical teams (IT, Engineering) and business units and support functions Legal, Marketing, People and Culture and other, to align AI goals
- Change Advocacy: Educate and influence senior leadership on the reality of AI timelines, specifically managing expectations regarding data cleaning and infrastructure setup. Bring in the positive change in the changing jobs scoping and efficiencies driven by AI implementation
- ROI Modeling: Work with finance and department heads to quantify the impact of AI initiatives on the bottom line
- Team Leadership & Mentorship: Direct management of the Data & Insights team, transitioning them from traditional reporting/BI to an "AI-first" mindset through active coaching and technical upskilling
- Data Lifecycle Ownership: Oversee the end-to-end data pipeline—from ingestion and cleaning to advanced analytics—ensuring the team delivers high-quality datasets that serve as the foundation for organizational strategy
- Modernizing the Stack: Lead the evolution of the team's toolkit, moving from static dashboards to predictive insights and automated data delivery systems
- Performance & Impact Culture: Define and implement rigorous standards for data accuracy and project delivery, ensuring the team's output directly correlates to business KPIs and strategic decision-making
- Cross-Pollination of Expertise: Facilitate collaboration between the Data team and other business units to ensure insights are not siloed, but are instead integrated into the operational workflows of the entire organization
Our take
South Pole is a Zurich-based climate solutions provider making real strides in the global push for Net Zero. Founded in 2006, the company takes a hands-on, action-first approach, unlike traditional consultancies, SOuth Pole joins projects after they're greenlit, focusing on implementing tangible climate solutions rather than just advising on them. This model has made it a key player in the green transition, turning climate ambitions into real outcomes.
Working across emission reduction, climate, and environmental protection, South Pole partners with companies to help create ways to lower their carbon emissions. The founders are experienced in the industry too, with many having met at the MyClimate foundation whilst others are renowned entrepreneurs. This coalition of capital and climate knowledge has helped South Pole become a unicorn company.
While some players in the space struggle to deliver results, SOuth Pole has built a strong track record. From partnering with Canadian delivery company Sendle to roll out carbon-neutral shipping, to developing impactful sustainability initiatives with global giants like Nestlé and UBS.
Steph
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
31% employee growth in 12 months
Company
Company benefits
- Work-life balance: From flexible working hours to flexible workplace (home office), with above-average vacation allowances, we strive to make the work and family life puzzle an easy one for our employees
- Flexible Vacation Benefits: Options to buy up to 5 extra days of time off
- Life Insurance: Available to all employees across the world
- Care for your Wellbeing: Access to mental, physical and financial wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Program (TELUS Health)
- Parental Leave: Should any of our employees need to take time off the Iceberg as a result of a new addition to their household, we are happy to be able to offer competitive Paid Parental leave to support them during this time
- Compassionate Leave: Sometimes life is unpredictable, and when unfortunate events occur, we want to give you peace of mind so you feel fully supported during this time
Company HQ
Escher Wyss, Zürich, ZH
Leadership
Daniel Klier
(CEO)Daniel joine dSOuth Pole in 2024 as CEO. Prior to this, they were the CEO of ESG Book. They also spent almost 8 years at HSBC as the Group Head of Strategy and as the Global Head of Sustainable Finance and Group General Manager.
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