Senior Director, CAIO Office and Institutes

The Senior Director serves as the senior administrative, strategic, and operational leader for the Chief AI and Data Science Officer (CAIO) and affiliated functional areas. The position provides strategic leadership and oversight for the Office of Responsible Artificial Intelligence (ORAI), the Arizona Institute for AI and Society (AI2S), AI Health Initiative, CB2, AI strategy, research development, fiscal management, organizational operations, communications, and administrative activities across a major university functional area. Working directly with the Chief AI and Data Science Officer and senior University leadership, the Senior Director supervises the development of operational plans, campus AI fluency/education planning, research and departmental programs, policies, and systems that advance the University's institutional AI priorities. The position manages professional staff and subordinate managers and collaborates extensively with academic, research, administrative, government, industry, and other external partners to advance the University's AI research and institutional mission.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Strategic and Operational Planning:

• Facilitates and leads strategic planning for the University's institutional AI activities under the direction of the Chief AI and Data Science Officer.
• Translates institutional priorities and the CAIO's strategic direction into comprehensive operational plans, programs, and systems affecting multiple research, academic and administrative units.
• Provides strategic advice and recommendations to the CAIO and senior University leadership regarding institutional AI priorities, emerging opportunities, organizational needs, and resource requirements.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates strategies, policies, and processes designed to advance the university's AI priorities and respond to emerging trends, institutional needs, and external opportunities.

Research Development and Program Administration:

• Leads and oversees research, education, and operational development and administration activities supporting the university's AI research portfolio and strategic research priorities.
• Identifies and evaluates federal, industry, foundation, philanthropic, and other external funding opportunities and develops strategies to position the university for major research investments.
• Facilitates development of interdisciplinary research programs, centers, institutes, consortia, proposals, and strategic partnerships in and outside the institution.
• Coordinates with faculty, research leaders, academic colleges, research institutes, and research administration units to develop and implement research programs and agendas.
• Writes proposals, staying on top of new funding opportunities, and attending meetings to stay engaged.
• Monitors program performance and evaluates opportunities to strengthen the university's research competitiveness and national leadership in artificial intelligence.

Fiscal, Resource and Administrative Oversight:

• Provides strategic oversight of financial and administrative activities for the Office of Responsible AI, the Arizona Institute for AI and Society, and research initiatives.
• Effectively manage budgets, monitor expenditures, forecast funding needs, and ensure resources are aligned with organizational priorities.
• Develops annual budget submissions and multi-year financial plans for review and approval and manages resources in accordance with approved budgets and university policies.
• Oversees resource allocation, financial forecasting, administrative operations, space and facilities, staffing, procurement, contracts, communications and other resources necessary to support strategic priorities.
• Evaluates financial and operational information, identifies risks and opportunities, and recommends resource strategies that promote effective stewardship and sustainable growth of institutional AI initiatives.

Organizational Leadership and Management:

• Provides leadership and oversight for the organizational structure and administrative workforce, including management of individuals and subordinate managers.
• Recruits, develops, coaches, and evaluates managers and professional staff and establishes expectations for performance, accountability, and professional development.
• Develops staffing models and organizational structures aligned with strategic priorities and changing institutional needs.
• Provides leadership for tactical and strategic change through subordinate managers and ensures effective implementation of organizational policies, processes, and operational plans.
• Promotes collaboration, innovation, continuous improvement, and effective use of organizational resources.

Institutional Partnerships, Policy and Accountability:

• Works collaboratively with academic colleges, research institutes, University Information Technology Services, the Office of Research and Partnerships, The Office of the Provost, Finance, and other university entities to strategically position the Office of Responsible AI and the Arizona Institute for AI and Society to achieve its strategic goals and objectives.
• Influences senior leadership and develops, modifies, and executes strategic programs, policies, and practices that may have enterprise-wide impact. Represents the Office of Responsible AI in university committees, working groups, external partnerships, and other engagements as delegated.
• Establishes performance measures and accountability mechanisms, evaluates outcomes, and prepares strategic reports, recommendations, and briefings for the CAIO and senior university leadership.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Broad knowledge and expertise in research administration, research development, strategic planning, organizational management, and institutional operations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex programs, projects, and functional areas involving multiple disciplines and organizational units.
• Advanced knowledge of financial planning, budget administration, resource allocation, and financial stewardship.
• Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate strategic and operational plans, programs, policies, and systems.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and develop individuals and managers.
• Ability to influence senior leaders and stakeholders and build consensus around institutional priorities.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and executive communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and initiatives of varying scope and scale.
• Ability to analyze complex organizational issues and develop innovative and effective solutions.
• Knowledge of current and emerging artificial intelligence research, technologies, and applications preferred.
• Knowledge of federal research funding, research development, and external partnership development preferred.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum of 9 years of related work experience, including 5 years of managerial experience leading a team, project, program, or function is required.

• Master's Degree preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex programs or functional areas, developing and implementing strategic and operational plans, managing budgets and resources, and working collaboratively across organizational boundaries.