Director, AI and Data Analytics, Internal Audit

Flex is the diversified manufacturing partner of choice that helps market-leading brands design, build and deliver innovative products that improve the world. 

A career at Flex offers the opportunity to make a difference and invest in your growth in a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative environment. If you are excited about a role but don't meet every bullet point, we encourage you to apply and join us to create the extraordinary.

To support our extraordinary teams who build great products and contribute to our growth, we’re looking to add a Director, AI and Data Analytics, Internal Audit in Chennai, India.

ARMS is undergoing a strategic transformation into an AI-native, data- and intelligence-driven function. We are looking for a Director to lead this transformation by spearheading the department's AI implementation strategy and overseeing all data science, reporting, and dashboarding efforts. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who can set technical direction, build and mentor a high-performing team, and partner closely with audit leadership across regions to embed AI and analytics into everyday audit practice.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical fluency in AI/ML and data engineering with the leadership maturity to manage a mixed team of managers and technical specialists, and the communication skills and executive presence to influence senior stakeholders in a global organization.

What a typical day looks like:

AI Strategy & Implementation

• Own and drive the roadmap for AI adoption across Internal Audit, identifying use cases where AI can improve audit coverage, efficiency, and risk detection.
• Lead the design, build, and deployment of AI/ML solutions (e.g., anomaly detection, natural language processing for control testing, Agentic AI implementation and optimization, generative AI for audit documentation) to meet Audit objectives and Fraud Analytics plan.
• Evaluate and pilot emerging AI tools and vendor platforms; make build-vs-buy recommendations, coordinate with various internal teams and vendor to onboard solutions
• Establish governance, risk, and quality standards for AI models used within audit (model validation, explainability, bias monitoring, usage standardization).

Data Science, Reporting & Dashboarding

• Lead all data science initiatives supporting annual audit planning for the department, individual audit planning, execution, and reporting.
• Own the strategy and roadmap for enterprise audit dashboards and reporting tools used by audit leadership and the broader team.
• Develop and deploy a Data-Analytics Self-service platform to ‘shift-right’ and democratize the technology usage within the team.
• Ensure data pipelines, models, and reporting infrastructure are scalable, well-documented, and maintainable.
• Translate complex analytical findings into clear, actionable insights for non-technical stakeholders.

Team Leadership

• Inspire, lead and develop a highly motivated and high performing team of 4–5 resources, including 2 managers and technical individual contributors (software developers, AI engineers, data scientists/analysts).
• Set team priorities, allocate resources across competing initiatives, and manage delivery quality and timelines.
• Coach managers on individual development and growth, team development, technical direction, and stakeholder management.
• Build a strong engineering/data science culture within an audit function — balancing innovation speed with the rigor and controls expected in audit.

Stakeholder Management & Cross-Functional Partnership

• Serve as the primary point of contact for AI, data science, and reporting initiatives with Senior Directors across regional audit teams.
• Work with stakeholders and audit teams from Asia, India, EMEA and North/South America
• Encourage usage of shared tools, data sources, and methodologies.
• Present strategy, progress, and results to senior audit leadership and other executive stakeholders.

AI Fluency & Enablement

• Design and lead an AI fluency/upskilling program for the broader Internal Audit team, ensuring auditors across all levels understand how to use and interpret AI-driven tools responsibly.
• Develop training materials, workshops, and office hours to build a data- and AI-literate audit culture.
• Act as an internal evangelist and change agent for the department's broader data and intelligence transformation.

The experience we’re looking to add to our team:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Data Science, Statistics, Engineering, Finance or Operations.
• 10+ years of experience in data science, AI/ML, or advanced analytics, including 5+ years in a people leadership role managing technical teams.
• Demonstrated experience leading AI/ML projects from concept to production.
• Track record in data engineering, reporting/BI tools (e.g., Power BI, MSTR, Tableau, SnowFlake), and modern data science stacks (Python, SQL, ML frameworks).
• Experience managing a team with mixed skill sets (management + individual technical contributors).
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical, senior stakeholders.
• Experience in Internal Audit, Risk, Compliance, or a related governance function.
• Experience in manufacturing domain
• Familiarity with fraud analytics, IT audit, or regulatory/controls environments.
• Experience building AI governance frameworks (model risk, explainability, responsible AI).
• Track record of designing enablement/training programs to build data or AI fluency across a broader organization.
• Experience working with global stakeholders and teams.

What you’ll receive for the great work you provide:

• Health Insurance
• PTO

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Flex is an Equal Opportunity Employer and employment selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. We do not discriminate based on: age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, pregnancy status, or any other status protected by law. We're happy to provide reasonable accommodations to those with a disability for assistance in the application process. Please email [email protected] and we'll discuss your specific situation and next steps (NOTE: this email does not accept or consider resumes or applications. This is only for disability assistance. To be considered for a position at Flex, you must complete the application process first).