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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Head of Data and AI - **Company:** Star Tribune Media Company - **Location:** Minneapolis, MN, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $137,300.0 - $225,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Amazon Web Services, JIRA, Data Architecture, Information Engineering, Data Governance, Data Infrastructure, Data Security, Cursor, Github, Machine Learning, Recommender Systems, Next.js, Technical Data Management Systems, Datadog, Application Enhancement Tool, Snowflake, Usage Tracking, Information Technology, Slack, Graphql, Data Management, Domo, NestJS, GPT, Service Stack - **Published:** September 13, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=916f8ce0184ad3d8 ## About the Role * Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Engineering, or related technical field; advanced degree preferred. * Minimum of 10 years of experience in data, analytics, AI, or machine learning, including a minimum of 3 years in leadership roles. * Deep expertise in enterprise data architecture, modern data platforms, Snowflake, data modeling, cost governance, and transformation frameworks such as dbt. * Proven experience building and leading AI/ML functions and scaling solutions from prototype to enterprise production environments. * Strong knowledge of AI governance, responsible AI practices, bias mitigation, risk management, and handling sensitive data. * Experience with data privacy, compliance reporting, data security controls, and incident response management. * Hands-on experience developing recommendation engines, personalization systems, predictive models, or subscriber/customer intelligence solutions. * Practitioner-level expertise with AI-powered tools and agentic workflows (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, Cursor, AI agents). * Strong business acumen with experience managing budgets, vendor relationships, and aligning technology investments with organizational goals. * Excellent communication and executive-level stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence both technical and non-technical audiences. * Demonstrated success leading teams, developing talent, and driving organizational change and technology adoption. * Experience within media, publishing, subscription, or consumer-focused businesses preferred. * Experience partnering with Legal, Editorial, Product, Revenue, and Technology stakeholders preferred. * Must be currently legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status, 0-1, TM, CPT, OPT, etc.). We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time. ## Description The Head of Data and AI at our headquarters in Minneapolis MN leads the enterprise data and artificial intelligence function and is accountable for the data platform, the Custom AI team, and the governance surrounding both. The role reports to the Chief Product and Technology Officer, manages the data and AI team across data engineering, analytics, and applied AI, owns the function's technology and vendor budget, and sets long-term data architecture, technology stack, and standard operating procedures for the corporation rather than for Product and Technology alone. The role owns enterprise-wide AI accountability and strategic alignment applying AI principles to AI Accelerator efforts across all departments. Owns governance standards, and partners with Legal, Editorial, and Product and Technology on responsible AI governance and the handling of sensitive data. Our platform spans Next.js, NestJS, Apollo GraphQL with Stellate, AWS, Vercel, Snowflake, Domo, Piano, Sailthru, Datadog, VictorOps, GitHub, Slack, and Jira. Responsibilities * Lead enterprise data architecture, platform strategy, and modernization initiatives, including Snowflake, dbt, and AI/data technology frameworks. * Ensure data platform reliability, governance, performance, and cost management, including pipeline operations, incident response, and budget oversight. * Lead the development and deployment of custom AI solutions and establish standards for production AI, including model governance, deployment, monitoring, and ownership. * Develop and maintain the enterprise AI roadmap, ensuring alignment across Product, Technology, and business functions. * Establish and oversee AI governance frameworks, responsible AI practices, bias mitigation, risk management, and compliance for sensitive data usage. * Create and manage data governance programs, including data stewardship, quality standards, lineage, retention policies, and Data as a Product initiatives. * Partner with Legal, Editorial, Product, Engineering, and IT teams to ensure compliance, data security, and enterprise AI accountability. * Lead data security efforts, access controls, incident response, and remediation processes related to sensitive data exposures. * Manage, mentor, and grow data and AI teams, including hiring, performance management, workforce planning, and employee development. * Drive AI adoption across the organization through training, change management, and enablement programs. * Build and optimize AI-driven personalization, recommendation, and subscriber intelligence solutions to improve engagement, retention, and business outcomes. * Monitor and balance AI model performance, operational costs, fairness, and bias mitigation across production systems. ## Related Videos - [Coffee with Developers - Maria Apazoglou](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1209-coffee-with-developers-maria-apazoglou) - [GitOps for the people](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/461-gitops-for-the-people) - [Livecoding with AI](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1201-livecoding-with-ai) - [The Data Phoenix: The future of the Internet and the Open Web](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1116-the-data-phoenix-the-future-of-the-internet-and-the-open-web) - [Data Science in Retail](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/586-data-science-in-retail) - [Improving quality with Agentic AI with Rovo Dev and Xray](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2005-improving-quality-with-agentic-ai-with-rovo-dev-and-xray) ## Related Articles - [Coffee with Developers - Maria Apazoglou - Making AI understandable for all in production](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/475-coffee-with-developers-maria-apazoglou-making-ai-understandable-for-all-in-production) - [Navigating the AI Shift](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/629-navigating-the-ai-shift) - [How to Become an AI Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/331-how-to-become-an-ai-engineer) - [MLOps And AI Driven Development](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/82-mlops-and-ai-driven-development) - [What Industries Outside of AI Are Hiring The Most AI Experts?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/98-what-industries-outside-of-ai-are-hiring-the-most-ai-experts) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers)