Senior Director - Machine Learning And AI (Retail Crime)

TL;DR

Senior Director - Machine Learning and AI (Retail Crime): Driving the strategic vision and implementation of ML and AI to reduce retail crime, focusing on product innovation, responsible AI governance, and measurable customer and business impact. Focus on leading the Data Science organization, partnering with cross-functional teams, and shaping the future of AI within hirify.global.

Location: This role works closely with our Product and Engineering teams, who are based in New Zealand. To enable strong collaboration, we will prioritise candidates who are open to relocating to New Zealand. hirify.global will provide relocation support.

Salary: USD$200,000 - $260,000

Company

hirify.global empowers the retail industry to tackle theft and Organised Retail Crime, a $150 Billion problem globally, by connecting people and intelligence to reduce crime.

What you will do

• Define and deliver hirify.global’s 3-year AI & ML strategy, ensuring it strengthens customer value and business growth.
• Lead the roadmap for embedding AI into the platform to drive measurable outcomes, including revenue growth and customer retention.
• Oversee research and development across machine learning, generative AI, and other emerging techniques.
• Establish and uphold clear guardrails for responsible AI, including model lifecycle management and ethical AI practices.
• Champion AI adoption across hirify.global by building organizational confidence and raising literacy.
• Lead and grow a high-performing Data Science team, mentoring the next generation of ML/AI leaders.

Requirements

• Significant experience leading AI/ML functions, with a proven track record of shaping and executing enterprise-level AI strategy.
• Demonstrated success deploying large-scale ML systems into production environments that deliver measurable business or customer value.
• Strong proficiency in modern ML techniques, frameworks, and tooling, with the ability to guide teams using Python and contemporary ML/AI stacks.
• Deep experience with cloud-based ML ecosystems and MLOps practices, including model lifecycle management, monitoring, and continuous improvement.
• A builder at heart, you grow systems, strategies, and high-performing teams, with a record of leading and scaling Data Science or ML organizations.
• Excellent communicator who is able to influence across teams and contribute confidently at Board level.

Culture & Benefits

• Competitive salary range and discretionary annual bonus based on company revenue targets.
• Employee share scheme, allowing you to own part of a company making a real difference.
• Flexibility and shorter work weeks with Friday afternoons off.
• Focus on mental and physical health, including Wellness Days and funds for expert sessions.
• Comprehensive paid parental leave and family-friendly policies.
• Support for personal growth through courses, conferences, and events.

Hiring process

• Submit a cover letter as part of your application to tell your story and explain your interest in the role.
• The hiring team will acknowledge your application and provide assistance with any questions or accessibility requirements.