Vice President, Product Management - Data & AI

Sphera is a leading global provider of enterprise software and services that enables companies to manage and optimize their environmental, health, safety and sustainability. Our mission is to create a safer, more sustainable and productive world.

Sphera is a portfolio company of Blackstone, a U.S.-based alternative asset investment company that focuses on private equity, technology and innovation, and more. Blackstone businesses succeed through strong partnerships, a personalized approach and a commitment to exceptional performance with uncompromising integrity. Sphera and Blackstone are leaders in the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) space.

We are guided by our core values of Customer Centricity, Accountability, Bias to Action, Innovation, and Collaboration. These values help us recruit the right talent to join our rapidly expanding team around the globe. It is important to us that each and every Spherion is not only eager to challenge themselves and knows how to get work done but is an awesome addition to our company culture.

We are seeking a visionary and results-oriented VP of Product - Data & AI to join our Product Management leadership team. This role will define and lead our company-wide data and artificial intelligence strategy, partnering closely with product development, engineering, and business leaders to drive innovation, efficiency, and revenue growth.

As the leader for data and AI within the product organization, you will own the strategic roadmap for leveraging our data assets, rolling out AI-powered capabilities across our product portfolio, and identifying creative ways to monetize data in alignment with customer needs and market opportunities.

You will combine deep expertise in AI technologies, data architecture, and product strategy with a proven track record of delivering scalable, impactful solutions in a software environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive data and AI strategy that aligns with the company’s vision, product goals, and growth objectives.
• Define the long-term roadmap for AI capabilities, data infrastructure, and analytics across the organization.
• Identify emerging technologies and trends in AI/ML, data platforms, and analytics that can be applied to our products and services.

Product & Engineering Partnership

• Collaborate with product development teams to embed AI-driven features and data insights into products from concept through delivery.
• Work with engineering leadership to ensure the data infrastructure, governance, and architecture can support AI initiatives at scale.
• Oversee the prioritization, resourcing, and execution of AI projects in coordination with product roadmaps.

Monetization & Innovation

• Develop creative business models to monetize data and AI capabilities while ensuring compliance with data privacy and security standards.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives to create differentiated, AI-enabled product experiences that drive customer adoption and retention.
• Explore partnerships, acquisitions, and licensing opportunities to accelerate AI innovation and commercialization.

Governance & Compliance

• Establish data governance frameworks, ensuring quality, security, privacy, and ethical AI practices.
• Maintain compliance with global data protection and AI regulations.

Team Leadership & Influence

• Build and mentor a high-performing team of data scientists, AI engineers, and analytics leaders.
• Foster a culture of experimentation, rapid prototyping, and data-informed decision-making.
• Represent the company’s AI and data strategy internally and externally, including thought leadership at industry events.

Qualifications:

• Experience:
• 10+ years in data, analytics, or AI-related roles, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership capacity.
• Proven track record of developing and executing successful data and AI strategies for software products.
• Hands-on experience with modern AI/ML technologies, cloud-based data platforms, and big data ecosystems.
• Demonstrated success in integrating AI into commercial software products and delivering measurable business impact.
• Experience with data monetization models and productizing AI capabilities.
• Skills:
• Strong business acumen and understanding of market dynamics in software and AI.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to bridge technical depth with strategic vision.

Pay:

$224,000.00 - $336,000.00 + Eligible for Variable Compensation Plan

Commensurate with relevant qualifications and experience

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

• Health Savings Account

• Flexible Spending Account

• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Life and Disability Insurance

• Critical Illness Insurance

• Accident Insurance

• Hospital Indemnity Insurance

• Paid Time Off and Holidays

• Flexible Working Schedule

Sphera is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all colleagues. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for a disability during the application or recruiting process, please email us at accommodations@sphera.com to make your request. To help us best respond, please include your name and the position you are applying for in your message.

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the job and the general nature and level of work performed by job holders within this job. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.