Head of Data Science Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Head of Data Science roles qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations, making employer sponsorship straightforward for candidates with a relevant advanced degree. Many employers also support EB-2 or EB-3 green card paths. Senior leadership scope and cross-functional ownership strengthen both initial visa petitions and long-term permanent residence cases.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Global Head of Data Science, Analytics & AI for Mars Snacking is a pivotal senior leadership role, that will be joining at a time of transformation for the Segment, following the recent acquisition of Kellanova. We are seeking a visionary leader to shape and execute our segment's Analytics & AI strategy. Reporting to the SVP Chief Data & Analytics Officer, and a member of the CDAO leadership team, you will be instrumental in powering our strategic priorities delivering leading digital products and capabilities, developing the governance & frameworks for how we lead in this space, and building a best-in-class team. Mars Snacking is at the start of a hugely exciting journey, integrating two incredibly successful organizations with exciting and category leading brands. This position requires a leader who can innovate, excite, and help shape our future; ensuring data, analytics, and AI are core enablers of our growth across a newly expanded portfolio. As a key member of the CDAO leadership team, you will be responsible for co-creating a vision and strategy that will help steer the organisation through complexity and change, keeping a sharp focus on value creation and a winning culture.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree or PhD in a quantitative field such as Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, or a related discipline preferred.
- 12+ years of experience in the data and analytics space with at least 5 years in a senior leadership capacity managing large, technical teams.
- Proven experience in Product Management, specifically within the AI, Data Science, and Machine Learning domains.
- Strong stakeholder relationship management skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate with senior leaders across a large enterprise.
- Deep technical knowledge in Machine Learning, Data Science, and Computational Science.
- Demonstrated experience in AI strategy development and successful implementation.
- Experience managing vendor and partner relationships to drive innovation and execution.
- A strong understanding of User Experience (UX) principles in the context of AI and analytics products.
- Solid experience in business case development and feasibility assessment for technical projects.
- Ideally experience in a CPG or Retail environment.
- Experience working across leading technology platforms including GCP Gemini, Databricks, Azure, etc.
Responsibilities
- AI Strategy & Vision: Lead the development and application of the strategic vision for data science, analytics, and AI for the Snacking segment, partnering with functional, regional, and divisional leaders to deliver innovative and scalable solutions.
- Team Leadership: Build, engage, and develop a high-performing global team of Data Science, Analytics & AI associates, establishing clear ways of working and accountabilities.
- Stakeholder Management / Business Partnership: Be the strategic partner of choice for the segment regions, functions & divisions by deeply understanding the business needs, identifying opportunities for scale and providing innovative solutions and recommendations.
- Deliver Business Value: Support the regions, functions and divisions on the delivery of our integration priorities with purpose and pace.
- Operational Excellence: Ensure operational excellence and accelerate quality growth through the creation of advanced analytics and AI capabilities, such as SRM (Strategic Revenue Management) and Perfect Store, Perfect Service agentic tools.
- Capability & Governance: Establish a clear vision, strategy, and framework to ensure a consistent, scalable, and high-quality approach to Analytics & AI, ensuring value realization and adherence to governance and ethical practices.
- Elevate AI Literacy: Act as an accelerator and champion for AI maturity growth across the segment, elevating capabilities and sponsoring valuable experimentation and scale.
- Technology & Architecture: Contribute to the architectural direction for analytics technology solutions and partner with internal IT and external partners to maximize the value derived from our technology platforms.
- Innovation & Research: Lead the research and evaluation of emerging skills, models, and market trends, bringing forward recommendations and solutions to achieve our long-term vision.
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM MARS?
- Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
- Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
- A strong focus on learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
- An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.
INTRODUCTION
The Global Head of Data Science, Analytics & AI for Mars Snacking is a pivotal senior leadership role, that will be joining at a time of transformation for the Segment, following the recent acquisition of Kellanova. We are seeking a visionary leader to shape and execute our segment's Analytics & AI strategy. Reporting to the SVP Chief Data & Analytics Officer, and a member of the CDAO leadership team, you will be instrumental in powering our strategic priorities delivering leading digital products and capabilities, developing the governance & frameworks for how we lead in this space, and building a best-in-class team. Mars Snacking is at the start of a hugely exciting journey, integrating two incredibly successful organizations with exciting and category leading brands. This position requires a leader who can innovate, excite, and help shape our future; ensuring data, analytics, and AI are core enablers of our growth across a newly expanded portfolio. As a key member of the CDAO leadership team, you will be responsible for co-creating a vision and strategy that will help steer the organisation through complexity and change, keeping a sharp focus on value creation and a winning culture.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree or PhD in a quantitative field such as Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, or a related discipline preferred.
- 12+ years of experience in the data and analytics space with at least 5 years in a senior leadership capacity managing large, technical teams.
- Proven experience in Product Management, specifically within the AI, Data Science, and Machine Learning domains.
- Strong stakeholder relationship management skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate with senior leaders across a large enterprise.
- Deep technical knowledge in Machine Learning, Data Science, and Computational Science.
- Demonstrated experience in AI strategy development and successful implementation.
- Experience managing vendor and partner relationships to drive innovation and execution.
- A strong understanding of User Experience (UX) principles in the context of AI and analytics products.
- Solid experience in business case development and feasibility assessment for technical projects.
- Ideally experience in a CPG or Retail environment.
- Experience working across leading technology platforms including GCP Gemini, Databricks, Azure, etc.
Responsibilities
- AI Strategy & Vision: Lead the development and application of the strategic vision for data science, analytics, and AI for the Snacking segment, partnering with functional, regional, and divisional leaders to deliver innovative and scalable solutions.
- Team Leadership: Build, engage, and develop a high-performing global team of Data Science, Analytics & AI associates, establishing clear ways of working and accountabilities.
- Stakeholder Management / Business Partnership: Be the strategic partner of choice for the segment regions, functions & divisions by deeply understanding the business needs, identifying opportunities for scale and providing innovative solutions and recommendations.
- Deliver Business Value: Support the regions, functions and divisions on the delivery of our integration priorities with purpose and pace.
- Operational Excellence: Ensure operational excellence and accelerate quality growth through the creation of advanced analytics and AI capabilities, such as SRM (Strategic Revenue Management) and Perfect Store, Perfect Service agentic tools.
- Capability & Governance: Establish a clear vision, strategy, and framework to ensure a consistent, scalable, and high-quality approach to Analytics & AI, ensuring value realization and adherence to governance and ethical practices.
- Elevate AI Literacy: Act as an accelerator and champion for AI maturity growth across the segment, elevating capabilities and sponsoring valuable experimentation and scale.
- Technology & Architecture: Contribute to the architectural direction for analytics technology solutions and partner with internal IT and external partners to maximize the value derived from our technology platforms.
- Innovation & Research: Lead the research and evaluation of emerging skills, models, and market trends, bringing forward recommendations and solutions to achieve our long-term vision.
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM MARS?
- Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
- Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
- A strong focus on learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
- An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Head of Data Science Jobs
Frame your CV around specialty occupation evidence
H-1B petitions for Head of Data Science roles require proof the position demands a specific degree field, not just any bachelor's. Tailor your CV to show the direct link between your advanced degree in statistics, computer science, or a related discipline and your day-to-day leadership responsibilities.
Target employers with active LCA filing history
Use Migrate Mate to browse Head of Data Science roles at companies with verified LCA sponsorship history, so you're applying to employers who have already navigated the filing process for this occupation tier rather than those encountering it for the first time.
Distinguish your role from general management at offer stage
USCIS scrutinizes senior titles to confirm the position is a specialty occupation, not a generalist management role. When reviewing your offer letter, confirm it specifies a technical degree requirement and includes duties like model architecture decisions, algorithm selection, and research leadership rather than purely supervisory language.
Request a prevailing wage determination before the LCA is filed
Head of Data Science roles typically sit at DOL wage Level III or IV. Before your employer files the LCA, verify the offered salary meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for your metro area by cross-referencing the OFLC Wage Search, so a wage deficiency can't delay or derail the petition.
Prepare for PERM early if a green card is part of your plan
EB-2 PERM labor certification for a Head of Data Science role requires the employer to document that no qualified U.S. workers are available. Starting that process during your first or second year of H-1B status gives you the most runway against per-country backlogs, particularly if you're from India or China.
Use O*NET to anchor your specialty occupation argument
If your employer needs to respond to a USCIS Request for Evidence about specialty occupation status, the O*NET occupation profile for data science directors and managers explicitly lists graduate-level analytical training as a standard entry requirement, which supports the petition's core eligibility argument.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Head of Data Science role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes. USCIS evaluates specialty occupation based on whether the role normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field. Head of Data Science positions consistently meet this standard because they require specific expertise in machine learning, statistical modeling, or a related quantitative discipline, not just general management experience. Your offer letter and job description should make the degree requirement explicit.
Which visa types are realistic for a Head of Data Science seeking U.S. sponsorship?
H-1B is the primary route for most candidates and covers initial employment in up to six years of status. Candidates from Australia can pursue the E-3 visa, which has a separate cap and no lottery. If you hold a U.S. master's or PhD in a qualifying STEM field, your employer may also be able to file an EB-2 NIW self-petition or sponsor an EB-2 or EB-3 green card after your H-1B is in place.
Will USCIS challenge a Head of Data Science petition because the title sounds managerial?
It's a real risk if the job description is written too broadly. USCIS has issued Requests for Evidence on senior data roles where the duties read as general business leadership rather than technically specialized work. The petition is strongest when it documents specific degree requirements, describes hands-on technical responsibilities like algorithm design or model evaluation, and distinguishes the role from a generic VP or director position.
What degree is typically required for a Head of Data Science sponsorship petition?
Most employers require at minimum a master's degree in statistics, computer science, mathematics, data science, or a closely related quantitative field. Some roles accept a bachelor's plus substantial equivalent experience, calculated at three years of experience per year of missing education under USCIS guidelines. A doctorate strengthens both the specialty occupation argument and eligibility for an EB-2 advanced degree green card petition.
Where can I find Head of Data Science roles where employers are already open to visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate lists Head of Data Science positions at employers with verified LCA sponsorship history, so you can focus your search on companies that have already filed for this occupation tier. That's a faster starting point than applying broadly and discovering a company's sponsorship policy mid-process.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Head of Data Science jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.