Head of AI

Waverly Advisors’ primary goal is to serve our clients, one another, and our communities. We aren’t your typical wealth management firm. Our intense client focus is at the center of everything we do. We go far beyond just managing our clients’ investments, offering truly in-depth financial planning. We set ourselves apart by actually living and acting on our guiding principle, ‘Serve.’ It is the reason we go to work every day.   

In this role, you’ll be challenged to take on work that upholds our guiding principle and drives Waverly Advisors forward. We hope you’ll grow as a person and leader in your field and transform those around you as well.    

We are looking to add a Head of AI to our team in our Birmingham, AL location. The Head of AI is an essential part of the Waverly Advisors team. The Head of AI will lead the development of the firm's AI and enterprise data strategy and platform as a critical member of CIO’s leadership team. This role owns the firm's AI vision and roadmap, including the evaluation, implementation, and ongoing management of AI tools and the supporting infrastructure required to scale AI capabilities across the firm. 

The Head of AI will drive the unification of data across all SaaS systems to enable advanced analytics, automated workflows, agentic AI capabilities, and superior client experiences — while ensuring the highest standards of security, governance, and regulatory compliance in a fast-growing RIA. 

 

Responsibilities: 

• Define and execute the firm's AI and enterprise data strategy and roadmap, centered on the Databricks lake on Azure. 

• Lead data ingestion, quality, governance, and integration efforts across all major platforms (Salesforce, Orion, custodians, etc.). 

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of the Salesforce ecosystem and team. 

• Champion the delivery, adoption, and ongoing management of high-impact AI solutions and data-driven applications to ensure sustained productivity gains and measurable ROI. 

• Build and lead a high-performing AI and Enterprise Data team while fostering strong collaboration with Security, Infrastructure, and business partners. 

• Lead the AI Steering Committee, setting the firm's AI strategy, ensuring data readiness for AI, and driving execution of data-powered AI initiatives (agents, workflows, analytics). 

• Drive measurable business outcomes through better data — improving operational efficiency, advisor productivity, and client experience. 

• Manage cloud spend, vendors, and platform economics with a strong focus on ROI. 

 

 

Required Qualifications and Experience:  

• 10+ years of progressive experience in AI, enterprise data, data platform, or data engineering leadership. 

• 4+ years in an AI or data leadership role. 

• Proven expertise designing and operating Databricks (or equivalent lakehouse) platforms on Azure at scale, with demonstrated application of that data foundation to AI and agentic workflows. 

• Significant experience leading Salesforce strategy, governance, or large-scale deployments. 

• Demonstrated success delivering complex data programs in financial services or a regulated industry (RIA / Wealth Management strongly preferred). 

• Strong understanding of SEC regulations, data privacy (Reg S-P), AI governance frameworks (e.g., NIST AI RMF), and enterprise risk management. 

• Bachelor’s degree required (Master’s or advanced certifications preferred). 

 

Preferred Qualifications and Experience: 

 

• Experience building client-facing digital experiences (onboarding, portals, etc.). 

• Background with Microsoft Copilot, Power Platform, or agentic AI workflows; experience evaluating or deploying third-party AI vendors. 

 

 

Travel:  

• Some travel is required.  

 

Physical Requirements:  

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.  

• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.  

• Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization’s facilities.  

 

Benefits:   

• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision coverage to support your overall well‑being.  

• 401(k) retirement plan with match and profit sharing to help you invest in your future.  

• Twelve paid holidays each year.  

• An extra vacation day during your birthday week—so you can celebrate you!  

• Responsible Time Off Policy giving flexibility without annual PTO limits, while balancing team responsibilities and business needs.    

• Paid sabbatical program: Enjoy four consecutive weeks of paid time off after seven years of service.   

• Compensation commensurate with experience.  

 

Legal:   

Waverly Advisors, LLC. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, genetic information, national origin, disability, uniform service, veteran status, age, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law.