AI maturity
building
Director of AI
VP / Director of Data & AI
DENSO · Automotive / Industrial Manufacturing · 📍 Southfield, MI
DENSO North America is hiring a senior AI and analytics executive to build and execute an enterprise-wide data and AI strategy across its North American manufacturing and automotive operations as part of a digital transformation mandate.
Reports to
CTO
Company stage
enterprise
Source
linkedin
Key responsibilities
- Define and execute enterprise data, analytics, and AI strategy aligned to DENSO's digital transformation
- Lead delivery of ML/AI use cases across manufacturing, quality, and operations
- Build scalable data platforms, AI pipelines, and analytics products with cloud and engineering teams
- Establish data governance, model lifecycle management, and responsible AI frameworks
- Build and lead high-performing teams of data scientists, analytics engineers, and AI product leaders
- Drive business ROI from AI investments by partnering with functional and business leaders
- Manage external technology vendors, system integrators, and research partnerships
- Champion data literacy and analytics adoption across the organization
Requirements
- 10+ years in data analytics, AI, or advanced analytics with 5+ years in a senior leadership role
- Proven delivery of enterprise-scale AI/analytics solutions
- Strong understanding of data architecture, cloud platforms, and AI/ML lifecycle management
- Experience leading cross-functional or global teams in a matrixed organization
- Ability to translate technical AI concepts into business outcomes for executive stakeholders
Signals
- ⚠ No salary or compensation range disclosed
- ⚠ Title is 'Director' but scope is enterprise-wide and VP-equivalent — potential title/seniority mismatch
- ⚠ Large Japanese parent company may impose bureaucratic constraints on AI investment pace
- ⚠ No previous posting history to assess role stability
- ✓ Clear enterprise-wide mandate with C-suite partnership implied
- ✓ Established ITDC organizational unit provides structural home for this function
- ✓ Explicit AI-first, data-driven operating model signals genuine executive commitment
- ✓ Strong domain specificity (manufacturing, automotive) suggests real use case pipeline
- ✓ Bonus program and comprehensive benefits package indicate enterprise-grade compensation intent