AI Velocity Head of Data Foundation and AI Platforms

## About this opportunity: Ericsson is seeking an experienced AI Velocity Head of Data Foundation and AI Platforms to help shape how Ericsson Americas works, delivers and competes in an AI-enabled future. Our AI Velocity vision is clear: combine trusted data, shared platforms and human expertise to simplify operations, accelerate innovation and create intelligent offerings. Based in Plano, Texas, this senior leader reports to the Head of Commercial Management & AI Velocity, a member of the Americas Leadership Team. This role is foundational to the Americas AI Velocity journey to give every unit in Market Area Americas trusted data and the right AI platforms at the best value. You will lead 2 Velocity sectors: Data Foundation and AI Platforms with a team of AI solution architects. Every big rock and every AI team in the Americas builds on the data and platforms it provides. You will build the foundations that enable AI at enterprise scale and set the data and AI architecture for the Americas. You will partner with Global Data & AI and Enterprise IT and help shape their decisions, so the Americas can move fast while maintaining alignment with Group global functions. This is an exciting opportunity to drive measurable impact for the Americas with value adding AI agents and assets for both cost efficiency and new areas to monetize. Your leadership will come through expertise, trusted relationships and influence across organizational boundaries. ## What You Will Do * Set the data and AI architecture for the Americas, with shared platforms that power teams across the Americas and governed building blocks for data, integrations and agents that every team reuses. * Match each use case to the right platform and AI model at the best value, choose a small set of AI platforms for the Americas, retire the rest, and drive adoption of the shared platforms. * Define flow-level data and knowledge insight requirements, including sources, schemas, structured, and unstructured data. * Build and run the Unified Data Layer as the single trusted source of data for decisions and AI, delivered as trusted data products with governance, security, quality and business context built in so the data is AI-ready. * Provide a trusted, governed path to connect and reuse AI capabilities by aligning enterprise capabilities such as MCP gateway, authorization & policy, AI & LLM gateway, observability & logging, Agent registry, MCP registry, AI governance control and workflow orchestration * Be accountable for FinOps for AI: unit economics, tiered model selection, cost attribution and consumption controls, and planning the investments needed as AI use grows. * Partner with Global Data & AI and Enterprise IT, and shape their decisions with results such as proofs of concept. Once decisions are made, move in lockstep with them. * Be accountable for the next paradigm of AI: track how AI moves from assistants to agents and beyond, decide when each stage is ready for MACS, and ensure platform enablement supports demand. * Lead relationships with data and AI platform partners, bring in new ones with Global involved from the start, and represent the Americas' AI thought leadership internally and externally, where appropriate. * Set objectives, coach the team, and build a culture of accountability, trust and collaboration. * Lead hands-on data architects who bring new data into Snowflake and build prototypes that AI Engineering and domain AI teams take forward. ## The Skills You Bring * Track record of setting data and AI platform strategy and architecture, and of operationalizing cloud data platforms (data warehouse and lakehouse) and enterprise AI platforms. * Proven record of taking data and AI platforms from strategy to adoption, while consolidating platforms and managing their cost. * Systems thinking across a multi-team, multi-platform landscape * Experience in both global and market area roles in a matrixed organization, ideally at Ericsson. * Ability to represent data and AI platform initiatives in MA and unit governance and leadership forums, and to influence stakeholders and partners, with strong financial acumen. * Ability to explain AI in plain words to non-technical leaders and turn it into business priorities. * Understanding of where AI is heading, with a record of thought leadership in data and AI such as innovation, publications or industry talks. * Collaborative, accountable and comfortable building in ambiguity, moving fast while partnering closely with Global. * Strong Leadership experience with direct reports or cross functional teams. * Critical thinking and gap resolution * Commercial and financial judgment to evaluate AI project proposals and business cases. * Executive presence and concise communication, with the ability to turn complex information into clear recommendations and lead discussions that result in decisions and action. * Proven ability to mobilize teams and influence senior stakeholders without direct reporting authority, including navigating competing priorities and holding owners accountable for commitments. * The curiosity to challenge established ways of working, the judgment to navigate ambiguity and the persistence to turn ambitious goals into sustained results. ## Education Requirements * Bachelors of Science or Masters of Science in Mathematics, Computer Science, AI. Data Scientists considered ## Notice: Ericsson Inc. does not sponsor U.S work authorizations for this job position including U.S. immigration filings for initial and/or change of employer paperwork for H-1's, H-1B1's, E-3's, O-1's, and TN's. Ericsson also does not hire F-1's working on CPT or EAD for this position. Why join Ericsson? At Ericsson, you´ll have an outstanding opportunity. The chance to use your skills and imagination to push the boundaries of what´s possible. To build solutions never seen before to some of the world’s toughest problems. You´ll be challenged, but you won’t be alone. You´ll be joining a team of diverse innovators, all driven to go beyond the status quo to craft what comes next. What happens once you apply? Click Here to find all you need to know about what our typical hiring process looks like. Ericsson uses a merit-based hiring approach that values people with different experiences, perspectives and skillsets. We truly believe this approach drives innovation, which is essential for our future growth. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply and realize their full potential as part of our Ericsson team. Ericsson is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer, learn more. If you need assistance or to request an accommodation due to a disability, please contact Ericsson at hr.direct.americas@ericsson.com. DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this position. They are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for this position, and you may be required to perform additional job tasks as assigned. Primary country and city: United States (US) || Plano (Country/ City) Job details: IT Strategic Product Manager