As the Senior Director - Machine Learning and AI, you are the driving force for how Auror harnesses ML and AI to accelerate our mission of reducing retail crime.
Define and deliver Auror’s 3 year AI & ML strategy, ensuring it strengthens customer value, business growth, and our position as the global leader in responsible AI for retail crime intelligence.
Partner with the CPO and Mission Control to shape strategic investment in AI, bringing deep expertise and pragmatic decision-making to the table.
Set a clear vision for how ML/AI accelerates our mission today, while scanning the horizon for what comes next, this includes new technologies, new product directions, and new opportunities for impact.
Lead the roadmap for embedding AI into our platform in ways that drive measurable outcomes, this includes revenue growth, customer retention, competitive differentiation, and meaningful crime-prevention outcomes.
Drive ML/AI powered product innovation, working with Product to shape future product verticals and AI enabled features.
Oversee research and development across machine learning, generative AI, predictive modelling, computer vision, natural language processing, and emerging techniques.
Identify and integrate new data sources, models, and AI capabilities that unlock business and customer value.
Establish and uphold clear guardrails for responsible AI, this includes model lifecycle management, ethical AI, fairness, transparency, and privacy.
Champion AI adoption across Auror by building organisational confidence, raising literacy, and role-modelling best practice.
Act as a thought leader, internally and externally, on responsible AI in retail and law enforcement.
Build strategic partnerships with research institutions, technology providers, and startups to accelerate innovation.

Requirements

Significant experience leading AI/ML functions, with a proven track record of shaping and executing enterprise-level AI strategy.
Demonstrated success deploying large-scale ML systems into production environments that deliver measurable business or customer value.
Strong proficiency in modern ML techniques, frameworks, and tooling, with the ability to guide teams using Python and contemporary ML/AI stacks.
Deep experience with cloud-based ML ecosystems and MLOps practices, including model lifecycle management, monitoring, and continuous improvement.
A builder at heart, you grow systems, strategies, and high-performing teams, with a record of leading and scaling Data Science or ML organisations.
You balance speed and pragmatism, helping teams move from “why not” to “how might we.” and making experimentation feel safe and purposeful.
You anticipate emerging AI trends and position Auror to leverage them responsibly and commercially.
You’re an excellent communicator who is able to influence across teams, engage the ELT, and contribute confidently at Board level, helping leaders and teams see what’s possible with AI while keeping a clear line of sight to practical outcomes.
You are confident as the expert voice in the room, able to challenge assumptions and guide leaders toward practical, impactful AI adoption.
You see leadership as a multiplier, you grow leaders who can operate strategically and execute with excellence, and grow the next generation of AI talent.
You view AI as a strategic differentiator, and you know how to turn cutting edge science into real customer and business value.

Benefits

Competitive salary Range: Depending on level of experience of NZD$200,000 - $270,000 (PL5 / PL6)
Annual bonus: discretionary bonus based on company revenue targets
Employee share scheme: You’ll own part of a company making a real difference!
Flexibility: We are hard-working and outcome focused, but recognise there is more to life than work. We promote a healthy work/life blend.
Shorter work weeks (at full pay): Everyone gets Friday afternoons off, so you can start your weekend early, and do more of whatever it is that makes you happy.
Focus on mental and physical health: We understand how vital our health is and have policies to support your wellness, including: Wellness Days, and up to three expert sessions paid for every year.
Family-friendly: We offer comprehensive paid parental leave - 12 weeks for birth parents and 6 weeks for non-birth parents following birth, adoption, or surrogacy, available to all Aurors from day one.
Personal growth: We support our team to participate in courses, conferences, or events that will help them develop their skills.
Team love: We have regular team lunches and social events where most (if not all) activities are during work hours.

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools

machine learningartificial intelligencepredictive modelingcomputer visionnatural language processingPythonMLOpsmodel lifecycle managementcloud-based ML ecosystemsAI strategy

Soft Skills

leadershipcommunicationstrategic thinkinginfluencingteam buildingpragmatisminnovationproblem-solvingmentoringcollaboration