Manager, AI/ML Strategy

Job Summary:

The Manager, AI/ML Strategy is a hands-on role dedicated to supporting the discovery and delivery of AI and machine learning opportunities across Universal Destinations & Experiences. Partnering with engineering, operations, and commercial teams, this role helps analyze business challenges, assess the potential of AI/ML solutions, and contribute to their development from concept through launch. The position assists with advancing the AI/ML product roadmap, applies data-driven insights, and ensures projects align with guest experience, revenue, and efficiency goals. Success in this role comes from strong collaboration, effective communication, and the ability to work across cross-functional teams and external partners to advance innovation.

Major Responsibilities:

Opportunity Discovery & Roadmapping

• Mine internal data, market trends, and user feedback to surface AI/ML ideas that advance company objectives.
• Define and continuously refine a multi-horizon AI/ML product roadmap that balances quick wins with longer-term bets.
• Prioritize initiatives using objective criteria (value, effort, risk, strategic fit).

SOLUTION VALIDATION & BUSINESS CASE DEVELOPMENT

• Lead rapid experiments, proofs-of-concept, and pilots to confirm technical viability and commercial impact.
• Establish success metrics and conduct ROI / cost-benefit analyses.
• Present recommendations and secure go/no-go decisions from executive stakeholders.

Stakeholder Engagement & Change Enablement

• Serve as primary liaison between technical teams and business units, translating requirements and evangelizing AI/ML value.
• Track milestones, remove roadblocks, and ensure solutions meet quality, privacy, and ethical-AI standards.
• Craft communication plans and training assets to drive adoption and measurable outcomes.
• Maintain transparent reporting on portfolio status and results.

Vendor & Partnership Management

• Evaluate external platforms, research institutions, and startups that accelerate time-to-value.
• Understands and actively participates in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities by following established UO policy, procedures, training and team member involvement activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering, Data Science, or a related field is required.
• An advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in a relevant field is strongly preferred, emphasizing computer science, machine learning, robotics, or business management.

Experience:

• 7+ years in data science, AI/ML strategy, product management, product strategy or related roles delivering data-driven or AI/ML-enabled solutions.
• Demonstrated record of launching at least one end-to-end AI/ML product or feature in a complex organization; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Your talent, skills and experience will be rewarded with a competitive compensation package.

Universal is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Universal Orlando via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from Universal Orlando HR/Recruitment will be deemed the sole property of Universal Orlando. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Universal Orlando as a result of the referral or through other means.

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