Applied AI Lead

Get started on an exciting career at Element!

Element is the largest publicly traded pure-play automotive fleet manager in the world.Our success is driven by our Purpose to Move the world through intelligent mobility, and fueled by our team members who help our clients manage fleets that deliver the goods and services our communities rely on. We are looking for more Purpose-driven, client-centered, and inclusive team members to join us.

We are looking for..

The Applied AI Lead is responsible for embedding Artificial Intelligence into the Leasing Function's Continuous Improvement strategy, identifying and delivering AI-enabled opportunities that improve operational performance, client outcomes, employee productivity, and decision-making. The role defines and executes the Applied AI roadmap, translating emerging AI capabilities into practical, production-ready solutions that enhance operational efficiency, effectiveness, and business value, with an initial focus on Credit Risk. As an individual contributor, the Applied AI Lead collaborates cross-functionally with business, technology, and data teams, reporting into Continuous Improvement to drive the successful delivery, governance, and adoption of AI-enabled capabilities.

Responsibilities & Duties

Applied AI Strategy & Roadmap Development

• Identify high-value AI use cases by partnering with business functions to understand operating priorities and pain points.
• Develop and maintain a prioritized Applied AI roadmap that aligns with Continuous Improvement objectives, business strategy, and enterprise priorities, delivering measurable operational and financial outcomes.
• Evaluate emerging AI technologies and approaches to inform strategic direction and operating model.

AI Product Development & Delivery

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of AI-powered product features and internal solutions, ensuring scalability, reliability, and alignment with user needs.
• Oversee the translation of machine learning models, data pipelines, and AI workflows into production-ready applications in collaboration with all functional leads and teams.
• Ensure solutions follow best practices in performance, monitoring, and responsible AI usage.

Leadership & Capability Building

• Lead and coach team members on the identification, development and application of AI-powered solutions
• Provide technical guidance and foster a collaborative, innovative, growth-oriented environment.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Partner with functional leads and their teams align priorities, dependencies, and delivery timelines.
• Translate complex AI concepts into clear, actionable insights for non-technical stakeholders.
• Drive alignment and adoption of AI solutions across all impacted business functions.

AI Governance, Experimentation & Continuous Improvement

• Establish and promote best practices for experimentation, model evaluation, and lifecycle management, including monitoring, retraining, and performance optimization.
• Contribute to responsible AI practices, including transparency, risk awareness, and appropriate use of data.
• Continuously identify opportunities to improve processes, tools, and frameworks supporting applied AI delivery.

Additional Information

• This role influences business performance by identifying and delivering AI-driven solutions that improve efficiency, decision-making, risk management effectiveness and the businesses operating model.
• Success in this role supports improved practices, internal productivity through scalable AI capabilities and (internal and external) client satisfaction.
• This role is an individual contributor with no direct management responsibility.
• The role provides technical leadership and influence across the business and partnering teams, including Commercial, Product, Engineering, Data, and business stakeholders, without direct authority.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or related field (or equivalent practical experience)
• 5+ years of experience in applied AI, machine learning, or AI-enabled product development
• Experience leading or mentoring technical teams
• Experience delivering AI solutions into production environments
• Experience working cross-functionally within product, engineering, and data organizations
• Experience in the Finance industry is preferred

Knowledge & Competencies

• Decision Making & Impact: Makes independent decisions on prioritization of AI use cases, solution design approaches, and implementation strategies. Decisions directly impact product capabilities, operational efficiency, and adoption of AI across the organization. Errors in judgment may result in misaligned investments, delayed delivery, or reduced solution effectiveness.
• Complexity & Independent Judgment: Operates in a highly complex and evolving technical landscape, requiring evaluation of multiple approaches, tools, and trade-offs. Exercises independent judgment in ambiguous situations, balancing technical feasibility, business value, and scalability.
• Leadership & Autonomy: Leads with initiative and a high degree of autonomy in defining priorities and execution approaches. Provides direction, coaching, and technical leadership while aligning with broader Risk function and organizational strategy.
• Innovation & Problem Solving: Drives innovation by identifying and applying emerging AI technologies to solve business problems. Solves complex, non-routine challenges requiring integration of data, models, and systems. Encourages experimentation and iterative development to achieve scalable solutions.
• Behaviors & Traits: Collaborative and adaptable with strong communication skills. Demonstrates curiosity and continuous learning in a rapidly evolving AI landscape. Balances strategic thinking with hands-on execution and maintains a strong focus on delivering business value.

#LI-Hybrid

As a Purpose-driven, client-centric organization, we are aligned by our shared Values across our global organization.

Our Values:

• We are always a force for good.
• We are experts defining the future of mobility.
• We are driven by client success. 

Our Values define who and how we show up for each other and our clients, every day

Element and its wholly owned subsidiaries are an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We are pleased to consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religious belief, age, disability, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins and membership of the travelling community. Disability-related accommodations during the application and interview process are available upon request. Should you require an accommodation with our hiring process, please send an email to [email protected].

Applicants will be required to undergo a background check only if and after a conditional offer of employment has been extended.