General Manager, Data Operations

About the role

The General Manager, Data Operations owns the core machinery of the David AI Data Factory, driving the transformation of raw audio into high-quality training datasets for the world's leading AI labs. This role requires leading the team that builds and scales data pipelines from experimental stages (0 to 1) to full production systems (1 to N). The hire will be responsible for ensuring that our audio data pipeline remains precise, efficient, and aligned with the demands of cutting-edge research. They will serve as a strategic thought partner to executive leadership, advising on the evolution and scaling of delivery capabilities. The position involves initiating new data pipelines and scaling them to significant levels through rigorous validation and industrialization. Success requires a bias for action, navigating ambiguity while maintaining high standards of reliability and quality. The role is critical to integrating AI technology into daily life, leveraging audio as the primary gateway for seamless human-machine interaction.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Lead a team of Data Product Operations Leads, driving the development and scaling of data pipelines from experimental stages to production-level systems.
• Serve as a strategic thought partner to executive leadership, advising on the evolution and scaling of delivery capabilities to meet customer demands.
• Continuously monitor pipeline health, identifying issues related to sourcing, data quality, or process inefficiencies and owning the solutions from start to finish.
• Utilize metrics to inform decision-making, tracking throughput, quality, and cost to guide prioritization and determine where to scale or invest resources.
• Collaborate with researchers at top AI labs to identify new model capabilities and translate these concepts into concrete data workflows and project plans.
• Partner with the internal research team to design and test new data formats, pushing forward frontier model capabilities.
• Own end-to-end outcomes, designing systems, managing execution, removing bottlenecks, and ensuring successful delivery at both prototype and production scales.
• Act as the operational backbone for the Data Factory, ensuring that raw audio is transformed into high-quality, scalable training datasets.
• Navigate ambiguity with comfort, balancing experimental workflows with large-scale production management responsibilities.
• Communicate with a low ego, fostering effective collaboration with research partners dedicated to the success of company initiatives.

Requirements

The ideal candidate brings 5-10 years of experience in high-ownership positions, such as founder, General Manager, COO, or strategy and operations roles within venture-backed startups. Experience in scaling large-scale operational efforts within fast-paced, venture-backed environments is essential. Technical fluency is a requirement, with proficiency in SQL and a solid understanding of data and operational systems. The candidate must have a proven track record of designing and scaling systems, processes, and teams across diverse customer segments and complex product lines. A relentless approach, high standards, a bias for action, and meticulous attention to detail are necessary, even when operating in ambiguous situations. The candidate must thrive in a fast-paced "build while flying" environment and communicate with a low ego, collaborating effectively with research partners dedicated to company success. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

Nice to have

Experience in data, machine learning, or large-scale operations roles is a significant advantage. A background in computer science, industrial engineering, or a related technical field is also beneficial.

Practical notes

The standard work hours are full-time. Flexibility may be required based on business needs. The position is based in San Francisco, and some travel may be necessary for partner work. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

Compensation and Benefits

The base compensation range is $180,000 - $240,000.

Benefits include unlimited PTO, top-tier health, dental, and vision coverage with high contribution rates, FSA & HSA access, 401k participation, two daily meals via DoorDash, office snacks and beverages, and unlimited company-sponsored Barry's classes.

Core Skills

SQL, audio data management, data operations, and experience with David AI systems.

About David Ai

A company with 20 years of experience serving clients across the globe focuses on logo and brand identity projects. Recognition in the form of awards highlights the work. Clients from different regions have been supported over this period. The team maintains this focus on identity design. Long standing experience guides current projects. Global work continues with attention to brand visual language.