Manager, Data Science & AI Strategy

Job Description

We are the movers of the world and the makers of the future. We get up every day, roll up our sleeves and build a better world -- together. At Ford, we're all a part of something bigger than ourselves. Are you ready to change the way the world moves?

Do you believe data tells the real story? We do! Redefining mobility requires quality data, metrics and analytics, as well as insightful interpreters and analysts. That's where Global Data Insight & Analytics makes an impact. We advise leadership on business conditions, customer needs and the competitive landscape. With our support, key decision makers can act in meaningful, positive ways. Join us and use your data expertise and analytical skills to drive evidence-based, timely decision making.

The Data Science Leader is a critical leadership position responsible for shaping and executing Ford's Data Science and AI strategy within Integrated Services (IS) Analytics. This role will be instrumental in driving the transformation of IS Analytics through advanced data science, machine learning, and AI technologies. This individual will lead end-to-end delivery of Data Science and AI products, scale solutions across platforms, and establish best-in-class Data Science and AI engineering practices.

As a hands-on leader, this individual will:

• Define and communicate advanced analytics and AI roadmap aligned with Integrated Services strategic priorities.
• Build and mentor IS Analytics teams, fostering innovation and technical excellence.
• Engage directly in solution design, model development, and deployment to ensure scalability and reliability.
• Collaborate with business and technology stakeholders to integrate Data Science and AI into core offerings and deliver measurable outcomes.

This role requires a unique blend of strategic foresight, technical depth, and leadership capability to transform IS and position Ford as a leader in Data Science and AI-driven customer experiences.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Product Ownership: Define and execute the advanced analytics and AI strategy, partnering with business leaders to translate complex challenges into scalable, impactful solutions. Own the product vision and delivery, establishing clear success metrics and driving accountability.
• Hands-on Technical & Engineering Leadership: Provide hands-on technical guidance in solution design, model development, and deployment. Lead technical and design reviews, direct advanced Data Science and AI research, and build robust engineering practices for architecture, MLOps, and software engineering rigor.
• End-to-End Delivery & Scalability: Own the end-to-end delivery of analytics, AI products and services from concept to production, ensuring rapid iteration, quality, reliability, and scalability in partnership with cross-functional teams. Influence product direction through data-driven insights.
• Expert Technical Application: Apply deep expertise in cloud-based AI platforms, modern ML frameworks, Python, containerization, and version control to design, implement, and optimize end-to-end ML pipelines and large-scale data processing for production deployment, including advanced ML algorithms, statistical modeling, and Generative/Agentic AI applications.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• Education: Master's Degree in a related field (e.g., Data Science, Predictive Analytics, Statistics, AI, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science).
• Delivery Leadership: Seasoned leader in Data Science and AI applications, with proven experience delivering and scaling multiple advanced analytical and AI solutions in production environments.
• Technical Expertise:
  • 3+ years of hands-on experience with advanced analytics, machine learning, and data science software (e.g., Python-based tools), with experience in Generative AI or Agentic AI a plus.
  • Experience using cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, or GCP) and enterprise Data Science/AI platforms.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in modern ML frameworks, statistical modeling, and data analysis techniques. Experience with Gen AI technologies is a plus.
• Leadership & Team Development:
  • 3+ years leading and managing direct reports.
  • Proven ability to hire, grow, and mentor high-performing AI and Data Science teams.

Preferred Requirements

• PhD in a related field (e.g., Data Science, Machine Learning, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, AI).
• Expertise in advanced and predictive analytical methods (e.g., Simulation, Design of Experiments, Genetic Algorithms, Ensemble Methods, Naïve Bayes, Neural Networks, Regression, Image Processing, NLP).
• Working knowledge of Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
• Expertise in open-source data science technologies such as Python, R, Spark, SQL.

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder...or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:
• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

This position is a leadership level 6.

For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/LL6SP2

Visa sponsorship is available for this position.

Domestic relocation is not available for this position.

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.

This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week.

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About Us

At Ford Motor Company, we believe freedom of movement drives human progress. With our incredible plans for the future of mobility, we have a wide variety of opportunities for you to accelerate your career and help us define tomorrow's transportation.

About the Team

We are trusted advisers enabling Ford to see our business, know our customers and act in a meaningful way. We drive evidence-based decision making by providing timely, actionable and forward-looking insights to our One Ford business partners. We seek to provide the thought leadership essential to achieving Ford's strategic objectives. We translate insight into action by driving toward robust points of view, timely decisions and responsible allocation of enterprise resources.