Senior Director, Applied AI and Data Solutions

Job ID: 291793
Location Name: FSC REMOTE SF/NY/DC -173(USA_0173)
Address: FSC, Remote, CA 94105, United States (US)
Job Type: Full Time
Position Type: Regular
Job Function: Information Technology
Work Location: Remote

Your Role at Sephora:

Ready for a career glow up? As Senior Director of Applied AI and Data Solutions, you'll be establishing and leading the Applied AI & Data Solutions vertical within Business Systems. This is a rare opportunity to build from the ground defining strategy, assembling a team, and driving transformative Agentic AI adoption, Business Automation across Supply Chain, Merchandising, and Finance domains. This leader will help translate cutting-edge AI capabilities into tangible business outcomes, working directly with business leaders to identify high-impact opportunities and deliver production-ready solutions that drive measurable value. This role requires equal parts strategic vision and hands-on execution expertise.

What You'll Do:

• Build AI Business Cases. Develop ROI-driven business cases for Agentic AI initiatives, partnering with domain leaders to identify high-impact opportunities and translate them into scalable AI/data solutions — including digital agents, productivity automation, and AI-assisted decision-making.

• Drive Executive Stakeholder Relationships. Manage C-level and cross-functional relationships across Supply Chain, Merchandising, and Finance, grooming AI ideas into strategic initiatives, innovation programs, and actionable roadmaps aligned with enterprise objectives.

• Lead and Scale a High-Performing Team. Build, mentor, and grow a team of data scientists, ML engineers, and analytics professionals — fostering a culture of innovation, experimentation, and continuous learning while developing talent pipelines across the organization.

• Define Agentic AI and Automation Strategy. Set the vision and execution strategy for Agentic AI and Business Automation aligned with enterprise goals, identifying and prioritizing AI/ML opportunities across key retail domains.

• Partner with Technology Leadership. Collaborate directly with VP/CTO/CIO on AI enablement and foundational technology setup, influencing all levels of the organization to embrace AI-first transformation and new ways of operating.

What You'll Bring:

• 10+ years in AI/ML and data science leadership, including Director-level or above experience delivering production AI/ML solutions at scale in enterprise environments.

• Deep technical expertise in modern AI/ML techniques — including generative AI (LLMs, RAG), NLP, predictive modeling, computer vision, supervised/unsupervised learning, and data engineering platforms such as Databricks and Snowflake.

• Proven domain knowledge in retail operations — specifically Supply Chain, Merchandising, or Finance — with a demonstrated track record of driving organizational change and AI adoption at a strategic leadership level.

• Strong communication and executive influence skills, with the ability to build AI fluency across an organization, present to C-suite stakeholders, and balance long-term vision with short-term execution.

• Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering or MBA from a prestigious institution required; AI/ML certifications preferred.

What You’ll Get: 

The annual base salary range for this position is $244,350.00 - $301,700.00 The actual base salary offered depends on a variety of factors, which may include, as applicable, the applicant’s qualifications for the position; years of relevant experience; specific and unique skills; level of education attained; certifications or other professional licenses held; other legitimate, non-discriminatory business factors specific to the position; and the geographic location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will perform the job. Individuals employed in this position may also be eligible to earn bonuses. This job will be posted for a minimum of five days. 

• Caring Community. You’ll collaborate with teammates who are equally passionate about innovating and driving the industry forward – together, united in beauty. 

• Fulfilling Path. Your career transformation starts here, with opportunities that will challenge, stretch and develop your skills. 

• Meaningful Work. As you make an impact on beauty, you’ll feel and see the positive change (consumer, industry, and social) that your individual voice is a part of. 

Rewards as Unique as You: 

Some benefits have eligibility requirements and may depend on job classification and length of employment. 

• Health. Choose a healthcare plan to fit you and your family’s needs with medical, dental, and vision coverage. Sephora also fully covers our employees’ disability and life insurance. 

• Wealth. We offer a competitive 401k with 4% match as well as FSA and HSA programs. We also offer a Student Debt Retirement plan, where your student loan payments qualify to earn the 401k match from Sephora. 

• Balance. You’ll be empowered to find the perfect blend of work/life balance that actually works for you with PTO, flexibility, protected leave, and more. 

• Growth. Career growth is built into every role, with access to training, development, and tuition reimbursement. 

• Perks. Think you’ve tried it all? Enjoy a 30% discount on all merchandise/services, opportunities for free product or “gratis,” and flash sale discounts on LVMH brand products. 

• Support. Join a team that truly cares – with free mental health and financial coaching resources with 24/7 access to Modern Health and Financial Finesse. Plus, volunteer and donation matching. 

Sephora values a diverse and inclusive workplace and considers all applicants without regard to sex, pregnancy, race, color, national origin, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), age, religion, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, disability, or any other protected category. Sephora is committed to providing reasonable accommodation ta applicants with disabilities or other medical conditions.  

Sephora will consider all qualified applicants, including those with arrest and conviction records in a manner consistent with the requirements of all applicable laws, including the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act.  

Join Us and Belong to Something Beautiful