Senior Director

Senior Director - Applied Data Scientist Harnessing the power of the spoken word to unlock uniquely human insights that drive workforce and business outcomes. Kerplunk is an AI-powered workforce and business intelligence platform that transforms unstructured conversational data into predictive, actionable talent intelligence. Our platform enables global organizations to move beyond their legacy talent systems, where employee data is static and incomplete, to predictive workforce strategy by capturing the spoken words of employees to form a complete understanding of their people. We are building the Talent Persona System of Record to harness the power of the spoken word to maximize human potential and drive business outcomes. We are seeking an experienced Sr. Director - Applied Data Science to join our growing team. In this pivotal role, you will lead the science powering our AI-driven platform delivering insights that transform how organizations understand, manage, and develop their talent. The work requires application of state‑of‑the‑art LLM and data techniques to extract the right information from human interactions and turn that into actionable recommendations at the individual, team, and organizational levels. This is a unique role that requires deep expertise in machine learning, large language models, and generative AI to effectively collaborate and influence cross‑functional engineering, design, and industrial‑organizational psychology teams. Responsibilities Lead the design and implementation of advanced AI models using the latest LLM and GenAI technologies to develop fair and accurate solutions that form the scientific foundation of Kerplunk's talent intelligence platform. Design and implement natural language processing models to extract meaningful insights from unstructured conversational data. Collaborate with engineering and product teams to translate psychological principles into AI algorithms and agents. Partner with customers to understand their workforce challenges and customize solutions that deliver measurable business outcomes. Develop predictive models that identify talent patterns, potential, and risks within organizations. Lead research initiatives to continuously improve our data science approaches. Publish thought leadership content to establish Kerplunk as an authority in the application of AI to the workforce intelligence space. Qualifications PhD in CS, CE, ML or related quantitative field. Demonstrated expertise in building and deploying applied data science, machine learning, and AI applications for industry. Experience with natural language processing and analyzing unstructured data. Proven track record of translating technical insights into business outcomes. Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complex concepts to diverse stakeholders. Experience working in fast‑paced startup environments preferred. Publication history in relevant academic or industry journals or conferences a plus. Requirements Advanced proficiency in statistical analysis tools and programming languages (R, Python, etc.). Experience with machine learning frameworks and AI development. Strong understanding of ethical considerations in AI. Commitment to data privacy and security best practices. Ability to work effectively in a small, collaborative team environment. Ability to travel occasionally for client engagements (10‑15%). Opportunity to shape the future of workforce intelligence and talent development. Competitive salary and equity package in a high‑growth startup. Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance. Flexible work arrangements with remote options. Professional development budget for conferences and continuing education. Collaborative, innovative work environment with direct impact on product direction. Regular team events and company retreats. Paid time off and company holidays. Seniority level Director Employment type Full-time Industries Software Development At Kerplunk, we're not just building software; we're revolutionizing how organizations understand and optimize their most valuable asset—their people. Join our team and be part of transforming workforce intelligence for the AI era. At Kerplunk, we're committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives who are excited about our mission to revolutionize workforce intelligence. #J-18808-Ljbffr