Senior Director, Data Science (Generative AI) - Capital One Auto Finance

Senior Director, Data Science (Generative AI) - Capital One Auto Finance

At Capital One, we are creating responsible and reliable AI systems, changing banking for good. For years, Capital One has been an industry leader in using machine learning and data science to create real-time, personalized customer experiences. Our investments in technology infrastructure and world-class talent — along with our deep experience in machine learning and data science — position us to be at the forefront of enterprises leveraging AI. From informing customers about unusual charges to answering their questions in real time, our applications of AI & ML are bringing humanity and simplicity to banking. We are committed to continuing to build world-class applied science and engineering teams to deliver our industry leading capabilities with breakthrough product experiences and scalable, high-performance AI infrastructure. At Capital One, you will help bring the transformative power of emerging AI capabilities to reimagine how we serve our customers and businesses who have come to love the products and services we build.

Capital One Auto Finance is embarking on a transformative journey, seeking a highly experienced and visionary Sr. Director of Data Science to spearhead our Generative AI initiatives. This pivotal role will be instrumental in driving the research, training, and application of Generative AI technologies across our entire auto finance operations.

The successful candidate will be a trailblazer, deeply immersed in the evolving landscape of AI and possessing a proven track record of innovation. They will be responsible for defining the Generative AI roadmap, identifying key areas for implementation, and ensuring the ethical and responsible deployment of these powerful technologies. This role demands a leader who can not only navigate complex technical challenges but also articulate a compelling vision for how Generative AI can reshape our business, from enhancing customer experiences to optimizing internal processes.

Collaboration will be a cornerstone of this role. The candidate will work extensively with a diverse and talented team, including Machine Learning Engineers, Software Engineers, and AI Researchers. This interdisciplinary approach will be crucial for accelerating our AI journey, fostering both the rapid development of talent within the organization and the generation of significant, tangible value for Capital One Auto Finance. The ideal candidate will be adept at fostering a culture of innovation, continuous learning, and cross-functional synergy, empowering teams to push the boundaries of what's possible with Generative AI.
 

In this role, you will:

• Generative AI Strategy & Research: Define and execute the strategic roadmap for Generative AI research and development within Capital One Auto Finance. Lead the exploration and evaluation of cutting-edge Generative AI models, techniques, and tools. Drive innovative research efforts to develop novel Generative AI solutions.

• Model Development & Training: Oversee the end-to-end lifecycle of Generative AI model development, including data preparation, model architecture design, training, and fine-tuning. Implement robust methodologies for evaluating and validating Generative AI model performance and ethical considerations. Ensure models are trained on high-quality, representative datasets and adhere to data governance policies.

• Application & Integration: Identify and prioritize high-impact use cases for Generative AI across various aspects of auto finance, such as customer experience, risk assessment, fraud detection, and operational efficiency. Collaborate with Machine Learning Engineers and Software Engineers to seamlessly integrate Generative AI solutions into existing platforms and workflows. Drive the adoption and scaling of Generative AI applications to deliver measurable business value.

• Collaboration & Leadership: Foster strong partnerships with cross-functional teams, including Machine Learning Engineering, Software Engineering, AI Research, Product, and Business Operations. Mentor and develop a high-performing team of Data Scientists, providing technical guidance and career development opportunities. Champion the ethical and responsible use of AI within the organization, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and internal policies. Represent Capital One Auto Finance in external AI communities, conferences, and partnerships.

Basic Qualifications:

• Currently has, or is in the process of obtaining one of the following with an expectation that the required degree will be obtained on or before the scheduled start date :

  • A Bachelor's Degree in a quantitative field (Statistics, Economic