Location: Hybrid — 3 days per week in our office (NYC, Holmdel NJ, Boston MA, Stamford CT, Pittsfield MA, or Bethlehem PA).
Remote: Possible for exceptional candidates willing to travel up to 20% to NYC.
Type: Full-Time / Direct Hire

About Our Company
We are one of the largest mutual insurance companies dedicated to inspiring well-being and helping our customers realize their dreams through comprehensive insurance and financial solutions. We serve 29 million customers by delivering transformative products and services that support their overall well-being—mind, body, and wallet.

Our multidisciplinary teams work across the enterprise to create innovative solutions for the evolving needs of our customers, their families, and the communities we serve. Through our data-driven decision-making approach and customer-centric philosophy, we develop and integrate cutting-edge AI and advanced analytics that achieve breakthrough improvements in customer experience, risk management, and operational efficiency.

About the Role
We are seeking an AI Innovation Lead (Managing Lead Data Scientist) to spearhead our AI strategy and lead our Data Science Lab (DSL).
In this role, you will:

• Set the strategic direction of AI initiatives.
• Identify and implement cutting-edge AI/ML capabilities across the enterprise.
• Mentor and grow a high-performing team of data scientists.
• Drive real-world applications of AI to transform insurance and financial services — from underwriting and claims to customer service.
• Collaborate with senior executives on high-visibility projects that directly impact Guardian’s financial performance and customer experience.

This is a high-impact leadership role at the intersection of innovation, business strategy, and AI/ML technology.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the Data Science Lab (DSL), setting vision, priorities, and aligning initiatives with Guardian’s digital transformation goals.
• Manage, mentor, and scale a team of data scientists; foster a culture of innovation and excellence.
• Communicate insights, opportunities, and risks to senior leadership in clear, actionable terms.

AI Innovation & Research

• Stay at the forefront of AI/ML advancements, especially Deep Learning, NLP, LLMs, and Generative AI.
• Build partnerships with academia and industry to test new AI methods.
• Introduce practical AI innovations that enhance Guardian's competitive edge.
• Create patentable methodologies and technologies.

AI/ML Development & Applications

• Design and deploy ML solutions on unstructured data (insurance contracts, medical records, sales notes, service logs).
• Deliver AI capabilities to improve underwriting risk assessment, claims automation, and customer service.
• Leverage GPU, distributed computing, and parallel processing to scale solutions.

Operational Excellence

• Establish scalable frameworks and governance for responsible AI deployment.
• Evaluate and implement cutting-edge platforms and tools to optimize workflows.
• Lead proofs-of-concept for new data, software, and technologies.

Collaboration & Influence

• Partner with executives, product owners, engineers, and business leaders to solve core challenges with AI.
• Standardize data science practices across the enterprise.
• Represent Guardian as an AI thought leader at vendor meetings and industry events.

What We’re Looking For
Must-Have Qualifications
Education:

• PhD + 6+ years experience, OR
• Master’s + 8+ years, OR
• Bachelor’s + 10+ years in Computer Science, Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or related.

Technical Expertise:

• 7+ years hands-on ML model development.
• Deep experience with Deep Learning, LLMs, NLP.
• Strong Python skills with PyTorch and/or TensorFlow.
• Solid knowledge of algorithms and diverse ML models.
• Experience with GPU computing, distributed systems, parallelism.

Leadership:

• Track record managing and scaling teams of 4+ data scientists.
• Proven technical leadership, mentoring, and performance management.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration with product, engineering, and business stakeholders.
• Soft Skills:
• Excellent communication and executive presentation skills.
• Analytical, detail-oriented, and business impact-driven.

Preferred Experience

• Insurance or financial services domain knowledge.
• Patent creation or applied research contributions.
• Experience bringing AI from prototype to market deployment.

Why Join us as AI Innovation Lead?

• Impact at scale: Your work directly shapes our AI strategy and enterprise-wide transformation.
• Leadership visibility: Collaborate with C-suite executives on strategic initiatives.
• Cutting-edge technology: Apply Deep Learning, LLMs, and Generative AI to real-world problems.
• Career growth: Build and lead a team that sets industry standards in responsible AI.
• Flexibility: Hybrid model with relocation support or remote with travel.
• Competitive compensation & benefits: Strong salary, comprehensive health benefits, 12% 401(k) match, 25% bonus.