The team + the role Pendo runs on data and AI, and this team owns the foundation that makes both work. The Data & AI Platform team builds and maintains the trusted data infrastructure, semantic layer, BI platform, and internal AI tooling that powers every insight, automation, and AI-enabled workflow across the company. The team spans data engineering, analytics engineering, BI, and software engineering, and the edges between those disciplines are intentionally blurry. If you find that energizing rather than uncomfortable, this role was written for you
We're looking for a Director to lead this team. You'll own the data foundation the entire company leans on, drive the AI-ready infrastructure that makes agents and automations actually work, and create the internal AI workspace where every Pendozer can find, use, and contribute without friction. This is a high-autonomy, high-accountability role with real organizational reach and a clear mandate to build ahead of the business
This role is based in Raleigh, NC and follows Pendo's hybrid model: in-office 3 days per week
What this looks like day-to-day Lead organizational strategy and execution across the platform, establishing operating rhythms, prioritization frameworks, and delivery accountability that keep multiple workstreams moving clearly
Create alignment across engineering and business stakeholders, and communicate progress and tradeoffs upward and outward with clarity
Drive planning, staffing, and roadmap alignment across initiatives, partnering with senior technical leaders to translate strategy and architecture into execution
Ship the near-term foundation: governed connectors, a seeded skills library, a validated AI surface, and eval infrastructure
Own Pendo's internal AI platform - the workspace where every Pendozer can find, use, and contribute AI skills and workflows. This includes the skills flywheel, agent surfaces, and observability infrastructure that make it safe to scale
Drive measurable business outcomes: faster time to insight, higher KPI confidence, operational efficiency, and revenue impact tied directly to the team's work
Partner closely with Applied AI, Analytics, Business Systems, IT, and GTM Operations, understanding their needs well enough to build ahead of them
Make informed build vs. buy decisions, including knowing when to throw work away when something better comes along
Translate technical decisions into business impact, clearly and consistently, for leadership and operating stakeholders
Balance scale with moving at the speed the business requires, avoiding over-engineering and knowing when good enough ships
Set a clear direction while remaining open to changing course
Who you are Beyond the qualifications, we hire through a specific lens. The