AI Program Lead

Seeking an AI Program Lead12-Month Contract
Adelaide, SA
Your new company
A higher education organisation is seeking an experienced Senior AI Program Lead (Contractor) to lead the definition and delivery of a University-wide Artificial Intelligence (AI) Program. This senior engagement will play a pivotal role in translating the University's emerging AI strategy into practical, scalable, and value-driven capabilities across teaching, research, and operations.

Your new role
Key responsibilitiesAI Roadmap Development & Activation

• Translate the University's AI strategy into a clear, actionable IT-led roadmap and delivery plan
• Support prioritisation of AI use cases aligned to agreed institutional objectives and measurable value

Governance, Risk & Compliance (Delivery Focus)

• Implement practical AI governance, risk, and compliance controls aligned to University frameworks
• Ensure strong focus on cyber security, data protection, privacy, and responsible AI practices

Operating Model & Capability Enablement

• Define an IT operating model to support AI delivery, including roles, responsibilities, and ways of working
• Partner with AI and Data Platforms teams to uplift internal capability, delivery maturity, and knowledge transfer

Program Leadership & Delivery

• Establish and lead a structured AI program of work within IT
• Oversee delivery of initial pilots and proofs of concept, defining clear pathways to scale successful initiatives

Technology & Platform Alignment

• Work with the CTO and platform teams to align AI initiatives with existing and emerging data and cloud capabilities
• Support the selection, integration, and management of enabling technologies and external vendors where required

Stakeholder Engagement & Adoption

• Engage with IT and business stakeholders to ensure AI initiatives are practical, adopted, and value-driven
• Build understanding of AI capabilities, limitations, and delivery approach across the University

Key deliverables

• Defined and mobilised AI Program within IT, including roadmap, delivery plan, and governance approach
• Established foundational AI infrastructure, data integration approach, and operating model (in partnership with platform teams)
• Delivery of initial AI use cases and pilots, with clear scalability pathways
• Embedded governance and risk controls aligned to University standards
• Clear articulation of capability uplift requirements and the ongoing AI delivery model within IT

What you'll need to succeed
Essential

• Proven experience leading AI or large-scale digital programs from strategy through to delivery
• Senior IT leadership experience (Director level or above), reporting to CIO or equivalent
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into executable, value-driven programs
• Experience delivering complex, multi-stakeholder enterprise programs
• Strong knowledge of AI/ML and Generative AI concepts and applications
• Experience implementing AI governance, risk, and compliance controls in enterprise environments
• Solid understanding of enterprise technology, cloud platforms, and data architectures

Leadership capability

• Strong executive stakeholder engagement, influencing, and communication skills
• Proven experience driving organisational adoption, change, and capability uplift

Desirable

• Experience working within complex or federated organisations
• Familiarity with the Australian higher education environment
• Experience supporting large-scale transformation or merger-related change programs

What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV.
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