SVP, Insights Technology

Business Title SVP Chief Technologist, Insights

Job Location US, Remote (preferred proximity to Los Angeles)

Status Full Time

Job Description:

Material is seeking a seasoned senior technologist to join our dynamic team. As the SVP Chief Technologist for our Insights work, you will focus on the design and delivery of cutting-edge Insights solutions, incorporating advanced data architecture, engineering and AI capabilities to enhance client outcomes. You will engage with some of the most renowned brands in the industry, crafting bespoke solutions that leverage big data, analytics, and generative AI technologies. In addition, you will supervise the design and development of our Insights technology portfolio that facilitate our insights work for clients.

You Are:

• Client-Facing, often sitting face to face with prospective customers to shape technical solutions.
• An Architect, you conceptualize technical solutions to client business problems leveraging your deep understanding of big data, cloud, and AI/ML.
• A Technology Manager, you evolve our suite of Insights technology products and platforms, guiding our team of product management and software engineers.
• A Mentor, you lead by example and challenge others to push their boundaries.
• A Self-Starter, you’re an expert in your field but still eager to improve your skillset in the ever-evolving landscape of Omnichannel solutions.
• Collaborative, you enjoy working with several cross functional teams on a daily basis.
• An effective communicator, you have the charisma to command attention, strategize and problem-solve on your feet when needed with internal and external team members. You have a mastery of written language, able to deliver compelling technical proposals to new and existing clients.

Your Key responsibilities:

Here’s what you’ll be doing day to day…

• Technical Solution Strategy: Create technical solutions with current clients, prospective clients and the internal team and provide innovative new ideas to create functional and attractive offerings to deliver consumer research, insights, and tracking data. You will lead the architectural design and implementation of Insight solutions, integrating data engineering, AI, machine learning, and data platforms technologies for our customer’s needs.
• Product and Engineering Leadership: Provide oversight to our product management and technology teams for our inhouse Insights technology platforms. You will be responsible for the evolution of our technology suite, in line with the evolution of our offerings. This will involve the full gamut of technology management responsibilities including technology direction and selection, engineering team management, product management, management of budget and schedule.
• Cross Functional Collaboration: You will be closely engaged with client partners, strategists, and delivery engagement leaders to shape solutions towards clients explicit and latent needs. You will assess and recommend data platform-oriented solutions, engineering solutions, and closely collaborate with a global distributed delivery team to convert client visions to reality.
• Communicate: Articulate the transition from current to future state in consideration of the future needs of the business, security policies and requirements. Break down complex business and technical strategies and roadmaps into consumable requirements for teams to execute against.
• Conceptualize: share knowledge and thought leadership to the rest of the organization, including recommendations on technical direction as well as team professional development. Research and present new technology trends
• Pre-sales: Participate in discovery of technical project requirements, scope and provide recommendations for phased program delivery. Create or contribute to project delivery estimations based on your recommendations and provide realistic level of effort estimations.

Your Experience & Intangible Traits:

The ideal candidate for the Chief Technologist position will possess the following competencies:

• 15+ years of experience as a senior solution architect, with proven experience consulting with clients.
• At least 5+ years of experience managing product evolution with oversight of engineering and product management teams
• Proven expertise in cloud platforms, big data, and data engineering.
• Recent experience with AI and machine learning technologies, particularly in Generative AI applications.
• Comprehensive knowledge of insights, consumer research, and brand tracking programs.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with clients and stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic, cross-functional team environment.
• Willingness to travel to or be present at office locations as needed.
• Ability to methodically estimate technology execution scope of work in terms of budget and resources
• Ability to leverage existing technology tools plus additionally research and apply new and experimental technologies to achieve business goals
• Ability to translate client goals into achievable technical specifications

Preferred Skills:

• Background in working with leading brands in the Insights industry.
• Experience in a client-facing role, with a track record of delivering tailored technology solutions.
• Experience adopting Generative AI solutions, familiarity with RAG patterns, and predictive analytics.

This role presents an exciting opportunity for a visionary leader passionate about leveraging cutting-edge technologies to drive significant market impact. If you are ready to take on this challenging yet rewarding role, we look forward to hearing from you.

The statements contained in this job description reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility.  It should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences, to equalize peak work periods, or to otherwise balance organizational workload.

Who We Are & What We Care About

• Material is a global company and we work with best-of-class brands worldwide. We also create and launch new brands and products, putting innovation and value creation at the center of our practice. Our clients are in the top of their class, across industry sectors from technology to retail, transportation, finance and healthcare.

• Material employees join a peer group of exceptionally talented colleagues across the company, the country, and even the world. We develop capabilities, craft and leading-edge market offerings across seven global practices including strategy and insights, design, data & analytics, technology and tracking. Our engagement management team makes it all hum for clients.

• We prize inclusion and interconnectedness. We amplify our impact through the people, perspectives, and expertise we engage in our work. Our commitment to deep human understanding combined with a science & systems approach uniquely equips us to bring a rich frame of reference to our work.

• A community focused on learning and making an impact. Material is an outcomes focused company. We create experiences that matter, create new value and make a difference in people's lives.

What we offer: 

In addition to Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability and FSA, Material offers: 

• A work environment that works best for you. Whether that’s fully remote, in one of our offices, or hybrid.

• Flexible & synchronous time off. We trust our colleagues to take responsibility for and manage their workloads. That’s why we offer Flexible Time Off along with synchronous companywide closures and 11 company holidays.

• 12 weeks of paid parental leave. Every parent deserves to spend the first few months of their new child’s life with them. 

• Help planning for your future. We offer 401K match, as well as periodic financial wellness and planning sessions throughout the year.

Pay Range: $152,000.00 - $250,000.00

The rate shown represents a relevant range currently in use at Material. Actual range for this position may differ, depending on location and specific skillset required for the work itself. 

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors prohibited by law.

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