Head of Data Science and AI

Every day, Global Payments makes it possible for millions of people to move money between buyers and sellers using our payments solutions for credit, debit, prepaid and merchant services.  Our worldwide team helps over 3 million companies, more than 1,300 financial institutions and over 600 million cardholders grow with confidence and achieve amazing results.  We are driven by our passion for success and we are proud to deliver best-in-class payment technology and software solutions.  Join our dynamic team and make your mark on the payments technology landscape of tomorrow. 

The Head of Data Science & AI at Global Payments is a transformative leadership position responsible for refining and scaling the company’s data science and artificial intelligence (AI) function from the ground up. This leader will architect and deliver an AI-first ecosystem that integrates generative AI, machine learning, and orchestration to drive business value globally. The role encompasses strategy, platform development, talent acquisition, and the operationalization of AI solutions—balancing build, buy, and co-create approaches with technology partners. The Head of Data Science & AI will collaborate closely with business leaders to incubate, scale, and systematize use cases, ensuring that data-driven innovation is embedded across the organization. 

Key Responsibilities: 

 ● Build & Lead the Data Science Organization   

○ Refine and scale a world-class data science and AI function, including recruiting, mentoring, and developing a multidisciplinary team of data scientists, ML engineers, platform engineers, and product managers while fostering a culture of innovation and experimentation. 

○ Define the vision, strategy, and roadmap for data science and AI initiatives aligned with Global Payments’ business objectives. 

● Platform Strategy & Delivery 

○ Architect and oversee the development of holistic AI platforms/solutions that leverage data science, advanced analytics, machine learning, generative AI, and automation. 

○ Evaluate and implement leading data science and AI platforms to accelerate model development, deployment, and monitoring. 

○ Build robust data pipelines, feature engineering workflows, and model management infrastructure to support scalable, production-grade AI solutions ● GenAI Strategy: Build, Buy, Co-Create 

○ Develop and execute a hybrid GenAI strategy, leveraging internal development, third-party solutions, and co-creation with strategic partners. 

○ Drive the adoption of GenAI technologies, integrating them into existing products and creating new AI-powered offerings. 

● Business Partnership & Use Case Incubation

○ Establish an operating model to engage business units, incubate high-impact AI use cases, and operationalize solutions at scale. 

○ Define and track success metrics for AI initiatives, ensuring measurable business outcomes and ROI. 

○ Champion data-driven decision-making and embed analytics into business processes. 

● Governance, Security & Compliance 

○  Partner with Data and AI Governance teams to ensure all data science and AI initiatives adhere to industry standards for data privacy, security, and regulatory compliance. 

● Thought Leadership & External Engagement 

○ Represent Global Payments in external forums, building relationships with technology partners, research institutions, and the broader AI community. ○ Stay abreast of emerging trends in AI, ML, and GenAI, and translate them into actionable strategies for the business. 

Required Experience & Skills: 

●  10+ years’ leadership in data science, AI/ML, and analytics within fintech, payments, or related sectors.