Director of AI & Data Architecture

Job Description

Ready to take your career global?

Make your mark at one of the biggest names in payments. We're looking for an architecture leader who has designed AI and data systems at enterprise scale, sees what's coming next, and can bring business and technical leaders along. You'll have real ownership in shaping the data and AI capabilities that will power our business for years to come.

Help shape one trusted AI and data foundation for one of the world's largest payments companies. Global Payments is putting AI to work across the business, built on one trusted data foundation that also powers analytics and merchant-facing solutions. Reporting to the Head of Data Strategy, Products & AI Architecture in the Office of the Chief Data Officer, you'll own the architecture that makes this real: what our AI and data capabilities should be, and how they fit together.

You'll set the target state and standards, and partner closely with the engineering and platform teams who build and run what you design. You'll work closely with Enterprise Architecture, AI and ML teams, Data Governance, Security, Risk and the business, and lead a team of data and AI architects.

What you'll own

• Target architecture. Own the target-state AI and data architecture and the path to get there, aligned to the enterprise Target Architecture Model, with a lightweight review process and a clear record of major decisions and tradeoffs, and advise on build, buy or partner choices.
• AI architecture. Define the reference architecture for ML, generative AI and agents, including the model lifecycle (feature stores, MLOps and LLMOps), retrieval, the AI gateway, and how agents reach data and tools.
• AI trust and controls. Design levels of autonomy, approvals and kill switches for AI agents, linked to model risk management.
• AI-ready data. Set the standards so domains, data products and the semantic layer are ready for AI models and agents to use.
• Enterprise data. Design enterprise data domains, including master data and the merchant match key, that unify data across our heritage businesses, acquisitions and cloud platforms.
• Data products and semantics. Set the standards for data layers (bronze, silver, gold), domains, data products and the semantic layer, so we build once and reuse everywhere, from BI to conversational analytics and AI agents.
• Security and compliance by design. Design PCI DSS, privacy and responsible-AI requirements into every pattern.
• Simplification. Design the path to retire duplicate warehouses, pipelines, tools and AI models, with measurable savings.
• Business value. Tie every major design choice to a business outcome, a date and a measure.
• Team. Lead and grow a team of data and AI architects.
  

What you'll bring

• Proven track record architecting ML and AI solutions that run in production and deliver measurable business results.
• Hands-on understanding of generative AI patterns such as retrieval, LLM gateways and agents, and how to control them in production.
• Thought leadership in AI and data, with a record of spotting shifts early and turning them into action.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain architecture choices plainly to executives, business leaders and technical teams.
• Deep data architecture experience at enterprise scale: lakehouse or cloud warehouse, streaming and real-time data, data modeling, master data, metadata and semantic layers, with deep experience in at least one major cloud (AWS, Google Cloud or Azure).
• Experience leading and developing architects, and getting standards and designs adopted by teams you don't manage.
• 10+ years of experience in data and technology architecture, including recent AI architecture experience.
• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• It's a bonus if you have
• Experience designing AI agent architectures for production in a regulated environment.
• Payments or fintech experience.
• Experience in a regulated industry such as payments, banking or insurance, including PCI DSS, audit or model risk.
• Post-merger or large consolidation experience.
• Experience with Snowflake or Databricks at scale.
• Experience with data products, data mesh or federated governance.

About the team

Our inclusive and global teams win together every day. We’re proud to have the best minds in the industry, who you can learn from as you grow your career. The people, the energy, the connections – it’s unmatched. Come and be part of an ever-evolving company and get dynamic opportunities that go beyond borders.

What makes a Globalpayer?

Globalpayers think like a client, act like an owner and win as one team. We’re curious and innovative – always finding better ways to deliver impact. We empower each other to make decisions, and it’s our passion that drives excellence in everything we set out to do.

Does this sound like you? Then you sound like a Globalpayer. Apply now to take your career global.

https://jobs.globalpayments.com/en/why-global-payments/benefits/

Applicant must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future; We will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work visa status for this opportunity (no sponsorship is available for H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, F-1, J-1, OPT, CPT or any other employment-based visa).

Diversity and EEO Statements

Global Payments is an organization that stands against racism, intolerance and injustice in all its forms — one that respects, honors and celebrates the diversity of our team members and the differences among us. Our commitment to fostering a company culture that values and respects Inclusion and Diversity is steadfast. Standing together as one company, we will continue to work to drive positive change for the communities in which we live and work and stamp out injustice.

Global Payments is an equal opportunity employer. Global Payments provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected by law. Those applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application and/or interview process should notify a representative of the Human Resources Department.

linkedin.com/in/shonali-r-66744622 -SB

EEOC Statement

Global Payments is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, genetic information, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other protected characteristics. The EEO is the Law poster is available here.

If you are made a conditional offer of employment and will be working in the United States, you will be required to undergo a drug test. In developing this job description care was taken to include all competencies and requirements needed to successfully perform the position. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for individuals with qualified disabilities both during the hiring process, as well as to allow the individual to perform the essential functions of the job, if hired.

Washington Candidates: Click here for information on the Fair Chance Act.