AI Data Annotation Lead

MCI is one of the fastest-growing tech-enabled business services companies in the USA, with a strong call center footprint and operations that extend across multiple countries. We deliver Customer Experience (CX), Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), and Anything-as-a-Service (XaaS) cloud technology solutions across a wide range of industries, including healthcare, retail, government, education, telecom, technology e-commerce, and financial services. Our contact centers are powered by both on-site and remote agents, leveraging advanced technologies to enhance customer journeys, drive scalability and reduce costs. 

At MCI we are committed to fostering an environment where professionals can build meaningful careers, access continuous learning and development opportunities and contribute to the success of a globally expanding, industry-leading organization.  

We are seeking an experienced AI Data Annotation Lead to oversee annotation operations that support the development and training of AI and machine learning models. This role is responsible for leading annotation teams, ensuring quality standards are met, and driving operational excellence across data preparation initiatives.

The successful candidate will combine strong people leadership skills with a passion for data quality and AI development.

To be considered for this role, you must complete a full application on our company careers page, including all screening questions and a brief pre-employment test.

Key Responsibilities:

Annotation Operations Management

• Lead data annotation activities that support AI development.
• Manage annotation workflows and production targets.
• Allocate work and resources across annotation projects.
• Ensure project timelines and quality standards are achieved.
• Monitor team productivity and operational performance.

Quality Assurance & Data Integrity

• Maintain high standards across all annotation activities.
• Develop and enforce annotation guidelines.
• Conduct quality reviews and audits.
• Address quality concerns and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure consistency across annotation teams.

Team Leadership & Development

• Build and support high-performing annotation teams.
• Coach, mentor, and develop annotation specialists.
• Conduct performance management activities.
• Support recruitment and onboarding initiatives.
• Foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Partner with technical and operational teams.
• Work closely with AI engineers, trainers, and product teams.
• Translate project requirements into operational plans.
• Communicate progress and challenges to stakeholders.
• Support cross-functional AI initiatives.

Process Improvement & Innovation

• Drive operational excellence across annotation programs.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and quality.
• Implement process improvements and automation opportunities.
• Support new tool adoption and operational enhancements.
• Contribute to AI data strategy initiatives.

WONDER IF YOU ARE A GOOD FIT FOR THIS POSITION?

All positive, and driven applicants are encouraged to apply. The Ideal candidates for this position are highly motivated and dedicated and should possess the below qualities:

• Bachelor's Degree in Information Systems, Data Science, Business, Operations Management, Communications, or a related field.
• Minimum 4 years of experience in data annotation, content operations, quality assurance, or related fields.
• Minimum 2 years of leadership or supervisory experience.
• Strong understanding of annotation methodologies and quality standards.
• Experience managing operational performance metrics.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to lead and develop teams.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working with structured processes and operational controls.
• Proficiency in reporting and productivity tools.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

Nice to Have

• Experience supporting AI or machine learning initiatives.
• Knowledge of NLP and Generative AI technologies.
• Experience with annotation platforms and tools.
• Experience within technology, BPO, or shared services environments.
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies.
• Understanding of AI governance frameworks.
• Experience implementing operational improvements.
• Exposure to workforce management practices.

This job operates in a professional office environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be largely sedentary and will be required to sit/stand for long periods while using a computer and telephone headset. The employee will be regularly required to operate a computer and other office equipment, including a phone, copier, and printer. The employee may occasionally be required to move about the office to accomplish tasks; reach in any direction; raise or lower objects, move objects from place to place, hold onto objects, and move or exert force up to forty (40) pounds.

All MCI Locations

• Must be authorized to work in the country where the job is based.

Subject to the program and location of the position

• Must be willing to submit up to a LEVEL II background and/or security investigation with a fingerprint.  Job offers are contingent on background/security investigation results.
• Must be willing to submit to drug screening.  Job offers are contingent on drug screening results. (Does not apply in Canada)

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of MCI and its affiliates to provide reasonable accommodations when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability unless such accommodations would cause undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment. If reasonable accommodations are needed, please contact Human Resources.

At MCI and its subsidiaries, we embrace differences and believe diversity is a benefit to our employees, our company, our customers, and our community.  All aspects of employment at MCI are based solely on a person's merit and qualifications.  MCI maintains a work environment free from discrimination, one where employees are treated with dignity and respect. All employees share in the responsibility for fulfilling MCI's commitment to a diverse and equal opportunity work environment.

MCI does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances.  MCI will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with local and federal requirements.

MCI will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.  We adhere to these principles in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, promotion, benefits, social and recreational programs, and discipline. In addition, it is the policy of MCI to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified employees who have protected disabilities to the extent required by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances where an employee works.

MCI helps customers take on their CX and DX challenges differently, creating industry-leading solutions that deliver exceptional experiences and drive optimal performance. MCI assists companies with business process outsourcing, staff augmentation, contact center customer services, and IT Services needs by providing general and specialized hosting, software, staff, and services.

In 2019, Marlowe Companies Inc. (MCI) was named by Inc. Magazine as Iowa’s Fastest Growing Company in the State of Iowa and was named the 452nd Fastest Growing Privately Company in the USA, making the coveted top 500 for the first time. MCI’s subsidiaries had previously made Inc. Magazine's List of Fastest-Growing Companies 15 times, respectively. MCI has ten business process outsourcing service delivery facilities in Georgia, Florida, Texas, New Mexico, California, Kansas, Nova Scotia, South Africa, and the Philippines.

Driving modernization through digitalization, MCI ensures clients do more for less. MCI is the holding company for a diverse lineup of tech-enabled business services operating companies. MCI organically grows, acquires, and operates companies that have synergistic products and services portfolios, including but not limited to Automated Contact Center Solutions (ACCS), customer contact management, IT Services (IT Schedule 70), and Temporary and Administrative Professional Staffing (TAPS Schedule 736), Business Process Management (BPM), Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), Claims Processing, Collections, Customer Experience Provider (CXP), Customer Service, Digital Experience Provider (DXP), Account Receivables Management (ARM), Application Software Development, Managed Services, and Technology Services, to mid-market, Federal & enterprise partners. MCI now employs 10,000+ talented individuals with 150+ diverse North American client partners across the following MCI brands: MCI BPO, MCI BPOaaS, MarketForce,  GravisApps, Gravis Marketing, MarchEast, Mass Markets, MCI Federal Services (MFS), OnBrand24, The Sydney Call Center, Valor Intelligent Processing (VIP), BYC Aqua, EastWest BPO, TeleTechnology, and Vinculum.

The purpose of the above job description is to provide potential candidates with a general overview of the role. It's not an all-inclusive list of the duties, responsibilities, skills, and qualifications required for the job.  You may be asked by your supervisors or managers to perform other duties. You will be evaluated in part based upon your performance of the tasks listed in this job description.

The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time. This job description is not a contract for employment, and either you or the employer may terminate employment at any time, for any reason.