Senior Director AI​/ML

About the Job

🔎 Confidential Global Hospitality Leader

📩 Search conducted by Reku

We’re partnering with a confidential, global hospitality organization seeking bold technologists, problem solvers, innovators, and builders who are motivated by transformation, not maintenance.

This organization is investing significantly in AI and data modernization. They are looking for a Senior Director of Engineering, AI/ML Products to lead the next chapter of AI-powered product development across guest experience, commercial optimization, operations, and enterprise platforms.

If you are passionate about artificial intelligence, have led high-performing ML and engineering teams, and are energized by the opportunity to embed Generative AI into scaled, real-world products, this is a rare opportunity to make a lasting impact.

This executive will define and lead the strategy for AI/ML product engineering, with a strong emphasis on Generative AI applications and cloud-native data platforms.

You will lead a multidisciplinary organization of:

• Data Scientists
• Machine Learning Engineers
• Software Engineers

A key mandate will be operationalizing cutting-edge Generative AI technologies (e.g., large language models and multimodal AI systems) across customer-facing and internal enterprise products. This includes personalization, revenue optimization, intelligent automation, knowledge copilots, and next-generation digital guest experiences.

AI products will be built on leading hyperscaler environments (AWS, GCP, Azure).

You will also play a critical role in expanding global AI talent capabilities, including building and scaling distributed engineering teams internationally.

• Develop and execute a comprehensive AI/ML product strategy aligned with enterprise business objectives
• Lead the end-to-end AI product lifecycle: research, experimentation, model development, productionization, and deployment
• Integrate advanced Generative AI capabilities into digital and enterprise platforms
• Build scalable data pipelines and ML infrastructure to support large-scale AI applications
• Recruit, develop, and lead high-performing global AI and engineering teams
• Partner with Commercial, Digital, Operations, Revenue Management, and Technology leaders to identify high-impact AI use cases
• Establish responsible AI governance frameworks ensuring fairness, security, and compliance
• Foster a culture of innovation, experimentation, and continuous learning
• Translate complex AI concepts into clear business outcomes for executive stakeholders

Experience & Leadership

• 10+ years leading AI/ML engineering or data science organizations
• Proven track record launching AI/ML products at scale
• Experience leading globally distributed teams
• Demonstrated ability to build organizations from early-stage growth through scaled maturity

Technical Expertise

• Deep understanding of machine learning, MLOps, and cloud-native data architecture
• Experience product ionizing AI models in enterprise environments
• Familiarity with Agile and Dev Ops methodologies

Business & Strategic Orientation

• Strong commercial acumen; understands how AI drives revenue, margin, efficiency, and customer experience
• Ability to translate business needs into technical strategy
• Experience modernizing data ecosystems in complex organizations

• MS or PhD in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)

• Hospitality, travel, consumer platforms, or digitally scaled enterprise experience
• Experience building Generative AI applications in production
• Experience leading 50+ person engineering organizations
• Public speaking or industry thought leadership in AI
• Startup or high-growth environment leadership experience

This is not an incremental AI role. This is an opportunity to shape how a global hospitality leader uses AI to redefine guest experience, commercial intelligence, and operational excellence for the next decade.

If you are energized by building AI products that operate at global scale, and want to do it in an industry where customer experience truly matters, we’d welcome a conversation.