VP of Data and AI

About the role

The Vice President of Data and AI will own the end-to-end strategy and execution of data and artificial intelligence initiatives that define how Lyra Health generates insights and delivers value at scale. This leader will architect the data and AI foundation that powers Lyra Empower, ensuring the platform delivers reliable, intelligent, and secure mental health support to millions of users worldwide. The role involves translating complex behavioral healthcare challenges into advanced analytical problems that drive measurable improvements in care delivery and business performance. You will establish the vision for treating data as a strategic asset, creating the guardrails and processes that enable responsible and impactful AI across the organization. The position requires balancing long-term innovation with immediate business needs, using data to uncover opportunities and optimize outcomes for employers, health plans, and members. You will build high-performing, cross-functional teams that combine technical depth with a strong understanding of the mental health ecosystem. Success in this role will be defined by your ability to turn ambiguous questions into testable hypotheses and robust analytical solutions that accelerate Lyra's mission.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Architect and execute the enterprise data and artificial intelligence roadmap aligned with Lyra Health's strategic objectives.
• Build and lead high-performing teams in Data Engineering, Data Science, Data Analytics, AI Platform, and AI/ML Engineering to deliver scalable solutions.
• Develop advanced models and monitoring frameworks that ensure Lyra Empower operates reliably, securely, and in compliance with regulatory standards.
• Design and implement secure data pipelines that power analytics for Lyra Empower and internal operational systems, enabling real-time decision-making.
• Establish enterprise-wide governance standards for data and metrics to ensure consistency, transparency, and trust across all dashboards and reports.
• Lead experimentation with predictive and generative AI models to enhance Lyra Health services and partner offerings, driving measurable improvements in outcomes.
• Partner closely with platform engineers to ensure infrastructure can support high-performance analytical workloads and evolving AI requirements.
• Define and implement processes to continuously monitor model performance and data quality, enabling rapid detection and resolution of issues.
• Translate complex executive inquiries into testable assumptions, designing experiments and success metrics that guide strategic decision-making.
• Promote self-serve data exploration tools that empower stakeholders while maintaining rigorous privacy, security, and regulatory compliance.
• Mentor and develop analytics professionals, fostering a culture of data literacy, curiosity, and evidence-based decision-making across the organization.
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to identify opportunities where data and AI can unlock new value and optimize existing care delivery workflows.

Requirements

• Must have extensive prior experience developing and implementing data and AI strategies for large, complex organizations.
• Demonstrated history of successfully managing teams of analytics and data science professionals while mentoring career growth and performance.
• Required to have a proven portfolio of machine learning models that have been deployed and operated in production environments at scale.
• Deep familiarity with contemporary data platforms, architectures, and machine learning operations (MLOps) is mandatory for success in this role.
• Must possess strong communication skills, with the ability to explain sophisticated technical concepts clearly to executive-level stakeholders.
• A minimum of ten years of cumulative experience in analytics or data science leadership roles is mandatory for consideration.
• Demonstrated ability to lead in fast-paced, ambiguous environments while maintaining rigor, discipline, and focus on measurable results.
• Must have a strong track record of using data to drive business impact, including improving efficiency, reducing costs, or increasing access to care.
• Experience navigating highly regulated industries and ensuring compliance with data privacy and ethical AI practices is required.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive, collaborative team environment where diverse perspectives contribute to better decision-making.

Nice to have

• Prior experience working within the healthcare, employee benefits, or mental health sectors is strongly preferred.
• Background collaborating with employer groups or health plan organizations is considered an advantage for this role.

Practical Information

This role is based in the United States and requires full-time employment. The compensation package reflects the strategic impact of this position, with a target range of $330,000 to $360,000 annually. Please verify all details, including application procedures and specific location requirements, on the official application page.