Director, Data and AI
FerraraAbout the role
Work Location: Chicago
Due to the highly interactive and team-based nature of this role, in-person attendance for most of the workweek (i.e., 3 days or more) is essential for: effective communication including during in-person meetings, strong supervision, real-time problem-solving, and participation in cross-functional initiatives.
Want to make an impact?
Reporting directly to the VP, Data, Analytics & AI, the Director, Data and AI is a strategic change leader responsible for defining governance frameworks and driving organizational adoption across master data, data products, and AI tools. This pivotal role establishes and leads the enterprise’s integrated governance and adoption strategy, ensuring our most critical data assets—customers, products, vendors, and materials—are governed consistently and leveraged effectively across all business systems. The Director will architect and operationalize governance approaches for master data (SAP S/4HANA, commercial platforms, supply chain systems), data products (Databricks), and AI tools (Claude, Microsoft Copilot), while mobilizing the organization to embrace these capabilities. This leader will work cross-functionally to stand up governance processes, accountability structures, and adoption mechanisms that embed data and AI into decision-making and drive operational excellence.
Successful candidates will have demonstrated success building MDM and data management capabilities in complex, multi-ERP environments and will bring the business acumen to align data strategy with enterprise objectives. A background in CPG, food & beverage, or consumer goods is strongly preferred.
The scope spans master data governance, enterprise data integration, data quality, analytics enablement, and AI/ML strategy across our ERP landscape (SAP S/4HANA), commercial platforms, supply chain systems, Databricks, and downstream analytics environments. This leader works closely with the CIO, IT leadership, VP of Analytics, and cross-functional business partners to build a high-integrity, AI-ready data environment that enables analytics, machine learning, and operational excellence.
Ways you will make a difference
Data Integration & Enterprise Data Architecture
- Define and govern data architecture standards and decisions for scalability, reliability, performance, and cost optimization across on-premise and cloud environments, ensuring enterprise alignment
- Collaborate with IT applications and support integration teams to ensure consistent master data flows across ERP, CRM, WMS, and analytics platforms
- Establish data lineage, documentation, and discoverability standards across the enterprise
- Ensure compliance with data privacy and retention regulations (GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, SOX where applicable)
Data Quality & Integrity
- Define and operationalize data quality KPIs, including accuracy, completeness, consistency, and timeliness metrics across all master data domains.
- Implement automated data quality monitoring, cleansing workflows, and enrichment processes to maintain high-integrity datasets.
- Drive root cause analysis on systemic data quality issues and implement sustainable corrective action programs.
- Establish a single source of truth for critical master data entities, reducing duplication and ambiguity across business systems.
AI & Analytics Enablement
- Define and execute a flexible, pragmatic AI governance strategy and adoption roadmap that drives responsible use of diverse AI tools—Claude (for research and analysis), Microsoft Copilot (for productivity), Databricks Genie (for analytics automation)—across the organization
- Establish governance practices that support AI/ML initiatives, including model training, inference, and deployment
- Partner with data science and analytics teams to deliver well-governed, high-quality data products that accelerate business intelligence
- Champion AI literacy and responsible AI adoption across the organization by establishing governance guardrails, training programs, and best practices that enable enterprise-wide capability building
- Foster a data-driven, AI-ready culture by championing best practices
Master Data Management Strategy & Governance
- Define and execute the enterprise Master Data Management strategy, roadmap, and operating model in alignment with IT and business strategy
- Establish governance framewo
Apply for this role
Generate a tailored application kit with a matched cover letter, interview prep, and CV highlights — in under 60 seconds.
Apply Now →Generate Application KitFree account required — sign up in 30s
Similar roles
Senior Director, Planning, Design, and Construction
Prince George's Community College
$131,313/yr
Associate Professor, Academic Clinician Track, and Director, Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, in the Department of Neurosurgery
University of Pennsylvania
Director, Engineering Controls (SSI)
Shermco Industries
$240,000/yr