Director of AI

Open to Remote - EST/CST Required.
Dallas, Columbus, Cincinnati and Richmond

Our client is a national, multi-company services organization operating in complex, field-based environments. They're hiring their first dedicated AI leader to build an enterprise AI program from the ground up.

This isn't a role about experimenting with AI or rolling out new tools for their own sake. The Director will own the enterprise AI program end to end: strategy, governance, the AI Center of Excellence (CoE), adoption of AI assistants and agents, use-case delivery, and building a high-performing AI team. The goal is turning AI investment into measurable productivity, operational and financial results.

You'll partner closely with executive leadership, IT, Operations, Finance, and the leaders of each operating company. If you're energized by building something new, bringing structure to emerging technology, and getting AI into real production use, this is the opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

AI Strategy, Governance & Risk

• Develop and lead the enterprise AI strategy, roadmap and governance framework, aligned with business priorities and growth objectives.
• Build an AI risk management framework using the NIST AI RMF and industry best practices.
• Set standards for AI evaluation, model performance, accuracy, monitoring, risk mitigation and ongoing governance.
• Create visibility into the AI tools, models and capabilities in use across the organization, including embedded and emerging AI.
• Partner with Cybersecurity, Enterprise Architecture and IT leadership so AI solutions meet security, compliance and technology standards.

AI Center of Excellence

• Launch and lead the AI CoE: operating model, governance, priorities and performance expectations.
• Build a scalable approach for identifying, evaluating, prioritizing and implementing AI opportunities across operating companies, based on business value, risk, data readiness and organizational impact.
• Establish a network of AI champions across the organization.
• Build a multi-year AI roadmap that balances near-term opportunities with longer-term capabilities.

AI Solution Delivery

• Lead development and deployment of AI solutions that solve meaningful business problems.
• Prioritize opportunities in document-heavy and operational workflows, such as estimating, proposal analysis, contract review, project documentation and field operations.
• Build evaluation frameworks that measure accuracy, reliability, cost and business impact before production deployment.
• Partner with Data, Enterprise Architecture, Applications and Integration teams so solutions are scalable, secure and backed by reliable data.
• Define business cases, success metrics and performance reporting.
• Move AI solutions beyond proof of concept into sustained production use with measurable results.

AI Adoption & Change Management

• Lead the enterprise adoption strategy for AI productivity tools, including Microsoft Copilot and other enterprise AI assistants.
• Develop training, resources and practical use cases for employees.
• Identify AI-enabled workflow improvements and automation opportunities with business and functional leaders.
• Track adoption by actual usage, productivity gains and business outcomes.
• Support development of AI assistants and agents that improve access to information and streamline processes.
• Lead change management that builds trust and encourages responsible adoption across field and office teams.

Team Leadership & Executive Partnership

• Build and lead the AI function, including talent, capabilities and operating structure.
• Manage technology providers, implementation partners and external AI advisors.
• Oversee AI investments, licensing and operating costs.
• Evaluate emerging AI technologies based on business value, performance, scalability and risk.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, with executive-level reporting on AI initiatives, adoption, financial impact and opportunities.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive technology experience, including at least 3 years leading AI, data or advanced analytics programs with accountability for business outcomes.
• Experience building and implementing enterprise AI governance frameworks using NIST AI RMF or comparable methods.
• Experience developing AI evaluation frameworks covering model accuracy, reliability, risk management, performance monitoring and production controls.
• A track record of moving AI solutions from pilot into production with measurable adoption and business results.
• Experience evaluating and selecting AI models and platforms on performance, accuracy, cost and business requirements.
• Experience designing or implementing AI agents and automated workflows with appropriate human oversight and risk controls.
• Working knowledge of the Microsoft AI ecosystem, including Copilot, Copilot Studio, Azure OpenAI and Microsoft Fabric.
• Experience with other leading AI platforms and model providers.
• Strong understanding of AI architecture, enterprise data environments, integration requirements and information security.
• Experience building business cases, managing budgets, and communicating technology investments and risks to executives.
• Proven ability to build technical teams and manage external vendors and implementation partners.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, including translating complex AI concepts into practical business recommendations.
• Commitment to staying current with fast-moving AI technologies and practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience building or leading an enterprise AI Center of Excellence.
• Experience in construction, mechanical or field services, manufacturing, distribution, or other complex operational environments.
• Experience with document intelligence solutions involving contracts, RFPs, specifications, project documentation or other unstructured data.
• Experience deploying agentic AI solutions and orchestration frameworks in production.
• Experience with AI cost optimization, model monitoring and production performance management.
• Experience supporting decentralized, multi-company organizations.
• Hands-on experience with Microsoft Purview and enterprise AI governance tools.

Benefits

Comprehensive package including medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) with company match, an HSA with employer contributions, short-term disability and life insurance, an Employee Assistance Program, wellness programs and paid time off.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status