Associate Director

Who We Are

At Kyndryl, we design, build, manage and modernize the mission-critical technology systems that the world depends on every day. So why work at Kyndryl? We are always moving forward – always pushing ourselves to go further in our efforts to build a more equitable, inclusive world for our employees, our customers and our communities.

The Role

Associate Director – Data Consulting (PhD, 5+ Years Experience)
Location: Newcastle | Division: Artificial Intelligence Team – Genie & Agentic Systems

As an Associate Director at Kyndryl, you will be at the forefront of creating and deploying cutting-edge solutions within the rapidly evolving fields of genie systems and agentic systems. Your extensive experience in data consulting, coupled with your PhD, will empower you to lead teams in developing advanced AI-driven solutions that push the boundaries of intelligent systems. This role combines strategic leadership with deep technical expertise to drive transformative changes in how organizations leverage autonomous, self-directed AI agents and predictive modeling systems to solve complex business challenges.

Key Responsibilities:

• Genie & Agentic Systems Leadership: Lead the development and implementation of genie systems—AI systems capable of understanding and interpreting complex queries, providing decision support, and autonomously performing tasks. Additionally, design and scale agentic systems, which involve self-directed agents that can take actions in dynamic environments to achieve specified goals.

• Advanced Data Analysis & Modeling: Use your deep expertise to analyze large, complex data sets, uncovering meaningful insights and designing models that power genie and agentic systems. You will leverage advanced statistical, machine learning, and reinforcement learning techniques to create models that adapt, learn, and optimize based on real-time data.

• AI System Design & Innovation: Harness your PhD-level knowledge of agentic systems, autonomous decision-making, and self-learning AI models to develop innovative solutions that drive significant business transformation. Work on both the technical challenges of creating intelligent agents and the business use cases that drive their real-world applications.

• End-to-End Solution Ownership: Oversee the full lifecycle of AI-driven systems—from data collection and preprocessing to the design, deployment, and maintenance of agentic and genie systems. Ensure that your models deliver sustained, measurable business value by seamlessly integrating them into business processes and applications.

• AI Strategy, Governance & Ethics: Lead the efforts to establish ethical frameworks and governance structures for the use of autonomous systems. You will ensure that the systems you develop maintain privacy, security, fairness, and compliance with regulatory standards, while also addressing key issues like explainability and bias in agentic decision-making.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Inspire and mentor a team of data scientists, engineers, and consultants, guiding them through the intricacies of developing genie and agentic systems. Foster an environment of creativity, problem-solving, and continuous learning, driving innovation in AI at Kyndryl.

Qualifications:

• PhD in a relevant field (e.g., Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, AI, Robotics, or similar).

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in data consulting with a proven track record in designing and deploying genie systems and agentic systems.

• Expertise in developing self-directed AI agents, reinforcement learning, decision-making algorithms, and autonomous systems.

• Experience with natural language processing (NLP), machine learning, and deep learning techniques applied to genie systems.

• Strong business acumen with the ability to understand strategic business challenges and translate them into AI solutions that generate real business value.

• Deep knowledge of AI system governance, data management, privacy, security, and compliance, particularly in the context of autonomous systems.

• Proven leadership experience, with a focus on mentoring teams to build cutting-edge AI solutions and foster cross-functional collaboration.

• Strong communication skills to effectively convey complex AI concepts and solutions to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Why Join Kyndryl:

At Kyndryl, we offer unparalleled opportunities for growth, innovation, and career development. You’ll have the chance to work on groundbreaking AI projects that are reshaping industries and transforming businesses. Whether you want to broaden your knowledge or specialize in the exciting fields of genie and agentic systems, Kyndryl provides the resources and opportunities for you to thrive.

Join us in Newcastle to lead the way in developing autonomous and self-learning AI systems. Together, we will redefine what’s possible in the world of artificial intelligence.

Ready to lead the future of intelligent systems? Join us at Kyndryl and shape the world of tomorrow.

Who You Are

Who You Are

You are an expert in the field of data science and AI, with a strong background in genie systems and agentic systems. You bring a wealth of experience, having successfully designed and deployed self-learning, autonomous systems that drive business value. You have a growth mindset, always seeking to stay at the forefront of cutting-edge technologies and methodologies in AI, while proactively advancing your professional and personal development.

You are deeply customer-focused, understanding the importance of translating complex AI concepts into solutions that deliver measurable outcomes for business challenges. As a collaborative leader, you thrive in inclusive, cross-functional teams, bringing others along as you develop transformative AI-driven solutions. Your ability to innovate and tackle the toughest AI challenges is matched only by your ability to communicate your vision clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Required Skills and Experience

• Expertise in Modeling Tools and Languages: Proficiency in AI and machine learning platforms such as Azure ML, Vortex AI AutoML, SageMaker, or Python. Deep experience with developing agentic systems (self-directed AI agents) and genie systems (advanced decision support AI).

• Strong Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: You have a solid grasp of reinforcement learning, decision-making algorithms, and autonomous systems, with excellent critical thinking skills to tackle complex AI challenges.

• Communication and Presentation: Able to distill complex AI insights into clear, actionable strategies for both technical teams and senior business leaders. Skilled at presenting and translating the business value of autonomous systems and predictive AI models.

• Project Management: Strong ability to manage multiple high-impact AI projects simultaneously, ensuring delivery while maintaining attention to the technical details that ensure model accuracy, performance, and real-world applicability.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Advanced Degree: PhD in a quantitative discipline such as Data Science, AI, Computer Science, Mathematics, or Robotics.

• Certifications: Relevant certifications such as Open Certified Data Scientist, AWS Certified Machine Learning - Specialty, Google Cloud Professional Machine Learning Engineer, or Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate to demonstrate your expertise in cloud-based machine learning and AI solutions.

• Understanding of Social Coding and IDEs: Experience with platforms like GitHub, Jupyter, and Visual Studio, ensuring best practices for collaborative development in AI projects, especially in environments focused on autonomous systems and reinforcement learning.

• Domain Expertise: Experience in applying AI solutions within specific business domains such as cybersecurity, IT service management, financial services, health care, or autonomous decision-making systems.

Being You

Diversity is a whole lot more than what we look like or where we come from, it’s how we think and who we are. We welcome people of all cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. But we’re not doing it single-handily: Our Kyndryl Inclusion Networks are only one of many ways we create a workplace where all Kyndryls can find and provide support and advice. This dedication to welcoming everyone into our company means that Kyndryl gives you – and everyone next to you – the ability to bring your whole self to work, individually and collectively, and support the activation of our equitable culture. That’s the Kyndryl Way.

What You Can Expect

With state-of-the-art resources and Fortune 100 clients, every day is an opportunity to innovate, build new capabilities, new relationships, new processes, and new value. Kyndryl cares about your well-being and prides itself on offering benefits that give you choice, reflect the diversity of our employees and support you and your family through the moments that matter – wherever you are in your life journey. Our employee learning programs give you access to the best learning in the industry to receive certifications, including Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Skillsoft, and many more. Through our company-wide volunteering and giving platform, you can donate, start fundraisers, volunteer, and search over 2 million non-profit organizations.  At Kyndryl, we invest heavily in you, we want you to succeed so that together, we will all succeed.

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