[Hiring] Assistant Vice President, Data @Vibrant Emotional Health

Role Description

The Assistant Vice President, Data is a senior enterprise data leadership role within Vibrant's Data Pillar, responsible for unifying and leading Vibrant's full data capability - spanning analytics and reporting, data science, machine learning, and AI. Reporting directly to the Chief Technology Officer, this leader serves as the single accountable executive for Vibrant's entire data function during an intentional consolidation phase designed to build integrated data maturity before the function expands into two distinct leadership tracks.

In this role, the AVP, Data ensures that Vibrant's analytics infrastructure, machine learning programs, AI adoption, and data governance operate as a coherent ecosystem. The AVP partners with program leadership and staff as well as Vibrant's executive team to deliver data products, predictive models, and responsible AI capabilities that directly improve outcomes for people in crisis.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Define and lead an integrated data strategy spanning analytics & reporting, data science, machine learning, and AI - aligned to Vibrant's goals and program priorities.
• Serve as Vibrant's senior data executive: advising the CTO, executive leadership, and the Board on data capabilities, AI adoption, and investment priorities.
• Build and manage the departmental roadmap, establishing the organizational architecture and role definitions.
• Lead Vibrant's data governance council responsibilities, including oversight of data standards, KPI frameworks, and program data sharing requirements.
• Own budget planning, tracking, and forecasting for the Data function, ensuring spend aligns with approved FY budgets, funding stream requirements, and grant compliance obligations.
• Manage the AI use approval pipeline with internal and external leadership: preparing documentation, use case justifications, and responsible AI assessments for all AI/ML deployments under the cooperative agreement.
• Lead the strategy, architecture, and delivery of Vibrant's enterprise analytics and reporting platform, supporting operational, compliance, and strategic reporting needs across programs and corporate functions.
• Ensure delivery of program-required reporting, including automated dashboards for network operational and quality metrics, crisis contact center performance reporting, and federally mandated data submissions.
• Design and deliver executive dashboards and performance scorecards for Vibrant's leadership team, Board of Directors, and crisis center network.
• Own the data governance framework for reporting outputs: data definitions, lineage documentation, and quality assurance protocols.
• Evaluate and implement BI and analytics tooling (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Looker) to modernize Vibrant's reporting infrastructure.
• Lead Vibrant's response to audit and compliance data requests, including federal OIG reviews and GAO inquiries.
• Champion data accessibility and health equity analytics across Vibrant's programs, ensuring disaggregated reporting by race, ethnicity, geography, and other equity dimensions.
• Oversee development and deployment of machine learning models across use cases including crisis risk stratification, call routing optimization, quality assurance automation, NLP-driven conversation analytics, and population health analytics.
• Establish responsible AI governance frameworks, including bias auditing, model explainability, and ethical review protocols appropriate for behavioral health contexts and required by the program.
• Partner with peers to advance the research agenda, maintain scientific standards, and translate research findings into production-ready models.
• Evaluate and integrate emerging AI technologies - including large language models and generative AI - with appropriate rigor, human-in-the-loop safeguards, and program approvals for mission-critical applications.
• Ensure all AI/ML systems meet regulatory requirements.
• Build, develop, and retain a high-performing data organization spanning Analytics & Reporting, Data Science, ML Engineering, MLOps, AI Ethics, Data Quality, and Data Governance functions.
• Manage and mentor direct reports.
• Manage the analytics and data science product roadmap in partnership with internal teams, ensuring data investments are sequenced against program stakeholder needs and regulatory requirements.
• Represent Vibrant's data and AI capabilities in external partner engagements, grant applications, and public health research contexts.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Executive-level experience defining and executing integrated data strategies spanning analytics, business intelligence, data science, and AI within complex, mission-driven organizations.
• Deep expertise in enterprise analytics, BI platform architecture, and modern data stack technologies (e.g., dbt, Snowflake, Tableau/Power BI/Looker).
• Strong command of data science and machine learning: proficiency in Python-based ML ecosystems (scikit-learn, PyTorch, Hugging Face), end-to-end model lifecycle management, NLP, and responsible AI.
• Proven ability to build, scale, and lead high-performing multidisciplinary data teams across analytics, data science, and ML engineering functions.
• Demonstrated experience establishing responsible AI frameworks - bias detection, model explainability, and ethical review - in high-stakes, human-centered environments.
• Strong understanding of HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, federal data governance requirements, and AI compliance in health and human services contexts.
• Ability to translate complex data and AI concepts into clear, actionable insights for executive leadership, Board members, federal partners, and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience partnering cross-functionally with Product, Engineering, Legal, and Compliance teams to govern and deploy data and AI capabilities responsibly.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing health equity analytics, inclusive data practices, and mission-aligned AI adoption.

Requirements

• 12+ years of progressive experience in analytics, data science, or data leadership roles, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership capacity with direct accountability for both analytics and data science or ML functions.
• Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field required; Master's degree or higher preferred (Computer Science, Statistics, Data Science, Public Health, or related field).
• Demonstrated experience leading programs, teams, or operational units across multiple data disciplines, with accountability for project execution, team performance, and cross-functional delivery.
• Deep expertise in BI platforms (Tableau, Power BI, Looker, or equivalent), modern data stack technologies (dbt, Snowflake, BigQuery), and ML/AI frameworks (PyTorch, scikit-learn, Hugging Face, or equivalent).
• Proven track record building enterprise data infrastructure and applied AI/ML programs in complex, regulated environments.
• Experience in mission-driven, nonprofit, healthcare, government, or other highly regulated environments, with familiarity in compliance-driven reporting and data governance frameworks preferred.
• Experience with SAMHSA-funded programs, federal cooperative agreements, or similarly regulated grant environments strongly preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position at least 50% of the time.
• Will constantly operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
• Will frequently communicate over video calls with internal and external stakeholders.

Benefits

• Excellent comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, supplemental income insurance, employer paid disability insurance, employer paid life insurance, pre-tax FSA for medical and dependent care, and 401K available.

Company Description

Vibrant Emotional Health’s groundbreaking solutions have delivered high quality services and support, when, where and how people need it for over 50 years. Through our state-of-the-art technology-enabled services, community wellness programs, and advocacy and education work, we are building a society in which emotional wellness can be a reality for everyone.