From Experiment to Advantage: The Case for a Head of AI

AI is no longer a side project.
It’s a boardroom conversation. A competitive advantage. A commercial priority.

For FinTech companies in the US, artificial intelligence is reshaping how products are built, customers are served, and teams are structured. But many are still missing one critical hire to make it stick: a dedicated Head of AI.

Whether you’re experimenting with LLMs or embedding predictive analytics into your product, AI is now a long-term capability, not just a short-term trend. And that means it needs ownership.

In this article, we’ll explore why hiring a Head of AI is the logical next step for growth-focused FinTechs, what this hire unlocks for your business, and how to approach the recruitment process with confidence.

 

The AI Tipping Point

In 2023 and 2024, most FinTechs treated AI as an experimental layer – a tool to test, explore, and tinker with. Think chatbots, basic automation, or productivity boosts.

But in 2025, we’ve seen a clear shift.

AI is no longer an R&D experiment; it’s operational infrastructure. From fraud detection to credit underwriting to custom investment portfolios, AI has moved into the core stack. That shift requires someone to lead it.

A Head of AI does more than manage data science teams, they translate technical innovation into business outcomes. They bring strategic clarity, build scalable infrastructure, and ensure AI is embedded across the product lifecycle, not bolted on.

 

 

What a Head of AI Actually Does

While the scope varies by company, market leaders are hiring Heads of AI to:

 

• • Define and execute an AI roadmap aligned with business goals
  • Collaborate with product and engineering to build AI-native features
  • Lead LLM and ML adoption with speed and commercial clarity
  • Oversee data infrastructure that enables trustworthy insights
  • Build and scale AI teams, including engineers, data scientists, and analysts
  • Represent AI vision externally to clients, investors, and the press

This role sits at the intersection of technology, strategy, and product. It’s not a backend engineering function or a lone innovation outpost. It’s a leadership role driving revenue impact.

 

Want the full breakdown of Head of AI responsibilities, salary benchmarks, and market trends?
Download the full whitepaper

 

Inside the AI Talent Market: Who’s Getting Hired?

At the time of writing:

 

• • There are 9,794 professionals in the US with Head of AI or Director of AI titles
  • The majority are based in San Francisco (1,670) and New York (1,381)
  • Only 21% of current Heads of AI are women
  • 230+ open roles are currently listed with these titles

Most come from backgrounds in Computer Science, Engineering, Computational Science, or Business, with top skills including:

 

• • AI
  • LLMs
  • Machine Learning
  • Deep Learning
  • Product Management

And the fastest-growing skills in this talent pool?

 

• • AI Strategy
  • Applied Machine Learning
  • Unsupervised Learning
  • Software Packaging
  • LLM Deployment

This is a hyper-specialist market and it’s evolving fast. Without a clear hiring strategy, businesses risk missing out on the leaders who are shaping the future of AI in FinTech.

 

The Hiring Playbook: 5 Tips for Recruiting a Head of AI

Hiring for this role requires more than a well-written job spec. You’re competing for high-impact, high-salary talent that’s being courted by Big Tech, startups, and VCs alike.

Here’s what we recommend:

 

1. 1. Define what success looks like in 12 months — tied to commercial impact
   2. Be specific about your AI maturity level — no one wants to walk into a fog
   3. Offer influence, not just a title — show how this role connects to the C-suite
   4. Get clear on compensation — including equity, team scope, and progression
   5. Work with a specialist search partner — the generalist route won’t cut it here

You only get one chance to make a first impression with AI leadership talent. The right recruiter can help you tell your story and close the gap between vision and hire.

 

 

A Recruiter’s Perspective

 

“Every week, I speak to FinTech CEOs who are facing the same question: How do we actually operationalize AI and who’s going to own it?

That’s why we wrote this report. Because hiring a Head of AI isn’t just about finding someone technical but about aligning talent with your company’s commercial roadmap.

I’ve helped high-growth FinTechs across the US hire their first Heads of AI, and I know how fast this market is moving. If you’re even thinking about making this hire, it’s worth having the conversation now.”

— Ryan Beauchesne, Senior Market Specialist, Storm2

 

Your Next Move

Bringing in a Head of AI could be the most important hire you make this year.

If you’re serious about AI adoption, this role will help you scale faster, operate smarter, and innovate ahead of your competitors.

Whether you’re building the business case or actively hiring, we’re here to help.

Download the full whitepaper
Contact Ryan for a confidential hiring consultation