Head of Data Science - Generative AI

About the opportunity

We are seeking an inspirational and strategic Head of Data Science to lead our Generative AI team. This is a critical leadership role where you will define and drive the strategy for developing production-ready generative AI applications, transforming how N26 operates and serves its millions of customers across Europe.

Your team develops cutting-edge generative AI workflows, agents, and agentic systems for internal automation and to enable innovative, high-impact customer-facing product features.

Are you ready to lead a high-performing team and accelerate the application of generative AI and machine learning to projects that affect millions of users all over Europe? Would you like to set the technical direction and investigate new generative AI capabilities to implement novel, strategic use cases? Come join us! 🤗

In this role, you will:

Architect and drive the end-to-end AI transformation across N26. This technical leadership role involves designing the MLOps infrastructure for scalable Generative AI solutions, establishing robust enterprise-wide technical standards for responsible AI governance, and championing the organizational and cultural change necessary to integrate and scale innovative GenAI solutions across all business units.

• Strategy and Leadership: Define, communicate, and execute the overall Data Science roadmap and vision for the Generative AI function, ensuring alignment with N26’s product and business goals.
  
  
• Team Management: Lead, mentor, and grow a diverse team of experienced AI experts, fostering a culture of technical excellence, continuous learning, and impact.
  
  
• Technical Oversight: Provide strategic and architectural guidance on the delivery of robust and compliant generative AI (both language and vision) solutions, including workflows, agentic systems, advanced prompt engineering, model selection, and the implementation of strong guardrails.
  
  
• Execution Excellence: Oversee cutting-edge AI projects end-to-end, driving best practices from applied research and initial experimentation (discoveries and MVPs) through advanced validation strategies to scalable production deployment.
  
  
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Partner closely with Product Managers, Backend Engineering, Compliance, and Executive Leadership to identify high-leverage opportunities, deliver measurable value, and maximize the impact of the team’s solutions.
  
  

What you need to be successful:

Background:

• An advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in a quantitative discipline such as Computer Science, Data Science, or Mathematics/Statistics is highly preferred.
  
  
• Significant professional experience (8+ years) in the development, production, and scaling of ML/AI solutions.
  
  
• Proven leadership experience (5+ years) managing, mentoring, and scaling Data Science or AI/ML teams.
  
  

Skills:

• Exceptional strategic thinking and a track record of defining and executing ambitious technical roadmaps.
  
  
• Mastery of common machine learning algorithms, deep learning principles, and generative AI architectures.
  
  
• Strong programming proficiency in Python and experience with generative AI frameworks, such as LangChain and LangGraph.
  
  
• Demonstrated ability to drive a team to write production-ready, high-quality code.
  
  
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and executive leadership.
  
  
• Proven ability to continuously learn, challenge the status quo, and drive proactive applied research around the latest advances in generative AI and machine learning.
  
  
• Language skills: English full professional proficiency; Proficient knowledge of German, French, Italian or Spanish will be appreciated.
  
  

What’s in it for you:

• Accelerate your career growth by joining one of Europe’s most talked about disruptors 🚀.
• Employee benefits that range from a competitive personal development budget, work from home budget, discounts to fitness & wellness memberships, language apps and public transportation. 
• As an N26 employee you will have access to a Premium subscription on your personal N26 bank account. As well as subscriptions for friends and family members.    
• Additional day of annual leave for each year of service.  
• A high degree of autonomy and access to cutting edge technologies - all while working with a friendly team of peers of diverse nationalities, experiences, and backgrounds. 
• A relocation package with visa support for those who need it.

Who we are

N26 has reimagined banking for today’s digital world. Technology and design empower everything we do and it’s how we are building the global banking platform the world loves to use.

We've eliminated physical branches, paperwork, and hidden fees for an elegant digital experience and supreme savings. Giving people the power to live and bank their way is what gets us out of bed in the morning and inspires the work that we do. 

We are headquartered in Berlin with offices in multiple cities across Europe, including Vienna and Barcelona, and a 1,500-strong team of more than 80 nationalities. 

Do you see yourself thriving in this role? We’d love to see your application even if you don’t meet 100% of the criteria. You may just be the right fit for this or other roles!

Equal opportunities for all

At N26, we believe our strength lies in our people and the varied perspectives they bring. We strive to build diverse teams that drive innovation and business success. We actively seek talent from all backgrounds and welcome applications from all genders, cultures, sexual orientations, abilities, neurodiversities, and ages.

We are committed to providing an excellent and accessible candidate experience. If you require any accommodations to make this process work for you, please let us know. We’re here to support you!

Discover more about Diversity & Inclusion at N26: https://n26.com/en-eu/diversity-and-inclusion