Head of Language Models (The Linguistic Innovator)

Are you passionate about advancing the frontier of language models and natural language processing? Do you have the expertise to lead a team in developing and refining large language models that enhance conversational AI, automated content creation, and language understanding? If you’re ready to set the vision and direction for language model innovation, our client has the perfect opportunity for you. We’re seeking a Head of Language Models (aka The Linguistic Innovator) to spearhead the development, deployment, and optimization of language models that drive intelligent and empathetic interactions across platforms.

As the Head of Language Models at our client, you’ll be responsible for guiding research and application of large-scale language models to build conversational systems, text generation tools, and other NLP applications. Your leadership will ensure the development of robust, scalable, and ethically designed language models that enhance user experience and align with business goals.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Develop and Implement the Strategy for Language Models:
• Set and execute a strategic roadmap for language model research and applications, aligning with organizational objectives. You’ll prioritize research areas and guide development that supports user engagement, accuracy, and innovation.
2. Lead Language Model Research and Development:
• Oversee R&D in advanced NLP techniques, including transformer-based models, fine-tuning, transfer learning, and zero-shot learning. You’ll drive projects that push the boundaries of what language models can achieve in various applications.
3. Ensure Model Optimization for Scale and Efficiency:
• Design strategies to optimize language models for performance, scalability, and cost-efficiency. You’ll work with engineering teams to implement best practices in model compression, latency reduction, and cloud deployment.
4. Collaborate on Cross-Functional AI Initiatives:
• Partner with product, UX, and engineering teams to ensure that language models align with user needs and business objectives. You’ll help translate language model innovations into actionable features that enhance product offerings.
5. Promote Ethical and Responsible NLP Practices:
• Develop and enforce guidelines for ethical language model usage, addressing issues such as bias, fairness, and transparency. You’ll champion responsible AI practices to ensure that language models serve users fairly and inclusively.
6. Drive Continuous Improvement through Feedback and Evaluation:
• Implement feedback loops and quality assessments to refine model outputs based on real-world usage. You’ll use metrics and user feedback to iteratively improve language model accuracy, contextual understanding, and relevance.
7. Stay Informed on NLP Trends and Advancements:
• Keep up with advancements in NLP and large language models, including new architectures, training methods, and best practices. You’ll apply cutting-edge research to maintain the company’s competitive edge in language technology.

Requirements

Required Skills:

• Language Model Expertise: Extensive experience with NLP and language model architectures, including transformer-based models like BERT, GPT, and T5. You’re proficient in language model training, fine-tuning, and deployment for various applications.
• Strategic Vision and Innovation: Ability to set a strategic vision for language model development and align it with business goals. You can identify emerging NLP opportunities and guide the team toward impactful innovation.
• Optimization and Scalability Knowledge: Expertise in optimizing language models for production, focusing on performance, cost-efficiency, and scalability. You’re skilled in model compression, latency reduction, and memory management.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Experience working closely with product, UX, and engineering teams to bring language model innovations to life. You’re adept at aligning technical solutions with user needs and business objectives.
• Ethical AI and NLP Practices: Strong advocate for responsible AI with knowledge of fairness, transparency, and bias mitigation practices in NLP. You’re committed to creating language models that promote inclusive and ethical interactions.

Educational Requirements:

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Natural Language Processing, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field. Equivalent experience in language model research and applications may be considered.
• Publications in leading NLP conferences (e.g., ACL, EMNLP, NAACL) or journals are highly advantageous.

Experience Requirements:

• 10+ years of experience in NLP and language model development, with a strong track record in large-scale language model applications.
• 5+ years of experience in a leadership role, managing NLP or AI research teams and directing strategic projects.
• Experience deploying large-scale language models in real-world applications and optimizing them for production is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Health and Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans with low co-pays and premiums.
• Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation, sick leave, and 20 paid holidays per year.
• Work-Life Balance: Flexible work schedules and telecommuting options.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, certification reimbursement, and career advancement programs.
• Wellness Programs: Access to wellness programs, including gym memberships, health screenings, and mental health resources.
• Life and Disability Insurance: Life insurance and short-term/long-term disability coverage.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services for personal and professional challenges.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Financial assistance for continuing education and professional development.
• Community Engagement: Opportunities to participate in community service and volunteer activities.
• Recognition Programs: Employee recognition programs to celebrate achievements and milestones.