AI Data Specialist

About Accordion

Accordion is a leading value creation partner in the private equity space, assisting sponsors and CFOs with data-driven financial consulting, technology, and AI solutions. We empower clients to drive end-to-end value creation by supporting the office of the CFO. Join over 1,400 finance and technology experts in a collaborative environment focused on growth and complex problem-solving. Backed by premier private equity firms and headquartered in New York with a global presence, Accordion is a high-growth, entrepreneurial firm seeking individuals eager to make a significant impact.

Data & Analytics Team

Our Data & Analytics (D&A) team delivers advanced, intelligent solutions worldwide, utilizing domain expertise, cutting-edge technology, and deep analytics to address intricate business challenges. We collaborate with Private Equity clients and their Portfolio Companies across various sectors, including Retail, CPG, Healthcare, Media & Entertainment, Technology, and Logistics. This role offers a hybrid work arrangement, allowing for two remote workdays per week, and is open to candidates located near our US office locations. U.S. immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Accordion Intelligence Lab

The AI Lab comprises top software and AI engineers dedicated to pioneering agentic-AI solutions. This group designs and deploys the AI systems that enhance Accordion's consulting capabilities, encompassing agentic architectures, RAG pipelines, evaluation frameworks, and production observability. The Lab works closely with practice leaders to convert research insights into scalable, robust tools, advancing Accordion's AI-driven value creation for PE clients and their portfolio companies.

About The Role

We are seeking a Data Specialist to join one of Accordion's AI-augmented delivery pods. These pods are specialized teams integrating AI engineering, data science, and product management to revolutionize finance and operations in PE-backed companies. As a Data Specialist, you will be instrumental in operationalizing data, efficiently transitioning between various source systems and production-ready pipelines. You will collaborate directly with AI engineers and product managers to define data requirements, identify quality issues, and establish the foundational data infrastructure for AI systems. Client interaction is a key aspect of this role, requiring you to ask insightful questions, clearly explain your findings, and build trust rapidly. This position thrives in a dynamic environment with complex data, tight timelines, and evolving challenges, ideal for those who excel under such conditions.

What You’ll Do

• Build and maintain critical data pipelines, models, and integrations for AI systems, handling data from raw sources to production outputs.
• Scope, design, and develop custom ML models for client-specific problems, covering feature engineering, evaluation, and deployment.
• Rapidly explore diverse datasets to understand structure, detect anomalies, and assess data capabilities and limitations.
• Quickly diagnose data quality issues, articulate their impact, and proactively drive resolutions.
• Collaborate closely with AI engineers and product managers to transform ambiguous client needs into reliable, well-documented data products.
• Lead client working sessions focused on data aspects, including source system walkthroughs, model findings, and quality assessments, confidently managing these interactions.
• Communicate complex data narratives to non-technical audiences through charts, slides, and concise explanations for executives like CFOs.
• Navigate and leverage enterprise data environments, including ERP systems, BI platforms, and financial data infrastructure, to achieve project goals.
• Utilize AI tools to enhance efficiency across exploration, modeling, documentation, and client communication tasks.
• Travel to client sites as necessary for project requirements.

Success in the First 6 Months

• Take ownership of end-to-end data delivery for multiple AI engagements, from initial system assessment to production pipeline implementation.
• Establish yourself as the go-to person within your pod for identifying and resolving data issues before they impact the team.
• Successfully lead client working sessions on data scope, quality, or access, instilling client confidence in your analysis.
• Demonstrate improved efficiency and output quality through the effective application of AI tools.

What You’ll Bring

• Extensive practical data skills encompassing SQL, Python, machine learning, data modeling, pipeline development, and hands-on experience with complex, real-world source systems.
• A strong aptitude for data quality assessment, including problem identification, impact quantification, and clear communication of findings.
• Proven ability to work effectively in fast-paced, sprint-based environments with evolving requirements.
• Proficiency in direct client engagement, including asking pertinent questions, translating technical concepts into understandable language, and establishing credibility.
• A background in finance or private equity-related fields, such as ERP systems, FP&A data, financial close processes, or portfolio company data infrastructure.
• Familiarity with AI and ML workflows, enabling effective collaboration with AI engineers and data scientists.
• Daily integration of AI tools into your workflow, resulting in demonstrably increased productivity.
• Excellent written communication skills for documenting models, summarizing findings, creating data-driven narratives, and drafting client-facing issue logs.

Work Environment

This role operates in a high-velocity setting characterized by short sprints, high client expectations, and continuous engagement. Unlike slower-paced enterprise engineering environments, this role thrives on agility. Individuals who find this pace energizing, rather than draining, will succeed. Success is achieved through internalized good judgment and rapid iteration, amplified by AI tools, clear communication with non-technical stakeholders, and swift adaptation to challenges.

Compensation and Benefits

The annual salary for this position ranges from $144,500 to $230,000 USD, in addition to a significant bonus and comprehensive benefits. The final compensation package will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, specific skill set, depth and breadth of experience, education, certifications, cost of labor, and internal equity.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Accordion is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse team with a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected status.

Recruitment Policy

Please note that Accordion does not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters unless they are formally engaged for a specific opening and align with our diversity values. Submissions of unsolicited resumes by any agency, person, or entity indicate acceptance of Accordion's right to hire the applicant without any associated fee.

Key skills/competency

Data Specialist, AI Engineering, Data Science, Product Management, Data Pipelines, Machine Learning, Data Quality, SQL, Python, Client Engagement.