Director of Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning - Thorn

About the Role

As Thorn’s Director of Machine Learning & AI, you will lead and build the team responsible for applying machine learning and AI to some of the most difficult technical challenges in our mission. You will shape and lead the strategy for the function, develop its people and technical leaders, and ensure ML expertise is deeply integrated into Thorn’s products, technical innovation, and broader Build strategy.

You will lead an established core of passionate ML engineers with deep technical and mission expertise, while also having the opportunity to grow the team and shape the capabilities Thorn will need next. This role requires an exceptional people leader who can earn trust, build on the strengths already present, recruit outstanding new talent, and help the team evolve as Thorn’s needs and technical opportunities change.

What You’ll Do

Technical Strategy and Innovation

• Shape and lead Thorn’s Machine Learning and AI strategy in partnership with Build leadership, Product, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Identify promising ML and AI technologies, translating research and experimentation into actionable recommendations.
• Support Thorn’s Technical Innovation Roadmap through exploration, prototyping, and validation of new capabilities.
• Ensure ML systems meet expectations for privacy, security, responsible AI, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence.
• Partner with the Business Development and Strategic Impact (BDSI) team to inform technical research roadmaps.

Develop an Exceptional ML Team

• Build on the strengths of an established ML team while developing the leadership and capabilities needed for the future.
• Recruit, develop, empower, and retain exceptional ML talent.
• Lead, coach, and develop technical leaders and individual contributors.
• Foster psychological safety, high expectations, healthy disagreement, and continuous learning.
• Partner with People & Culture on hiring, onboarding, and performance management.

One Build Collaboration

• Build deep partnerships across Engineering, Product, and BDSI to ensure research and production delivery remain connected.
• Partner with Engineering leadership to ensure ML capabilities are reliable, scalable, and production-ready.
• Align ML priorities, dependencies, and investments with Build’s broader strategy.

Execution and Organizational Leadership

• Establish clear priorities and operating rhythms to help the team deliver predictably while maintaining space for innovation.
• Partner with Finance and Build leadership on resource allocation, headcount planning, and budget stewardship.
• Serve as a member of the Build leadership team, contributing to organizational planning and complex problem-solving.
• Represent Thorn’s ML work externally with partners, funders, and the technical community.

What We’re Looking For

• Significant experience leading ML, AI, or Data Science teams responsible for production capabilities at scale.
• Strong technical judgment with the ability to guide direction and evaluate tradeoffs in modern AI/ML.
• Deep understanding of AI/ML applications, content detection technologies, and software development.
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and strengthen high-performing technical teams.
• Track record of strong collaboration with cross-functional partners (Engineering, Product, Research).
• Ability to lead with empathy, humility, and a trauma-informed approach.
• Commitment to putting the children we serve at the center of your work.