Director, AI Strategy and Partnerships

It starts with YES!

At Optus, we've an ambitious goal to be Australia’s most loved everyday brand. This is your opportunity to join an award-winning and globally recognised AI team who co-creates new products that are taken to market globally and across many industries.  Optus is seeking an experienced AI strategy and partnerships leader to join our award-winning, globally recognised AI team transforming how Optus delivers most loved customer experiences, building and partnering the global tech companies to co-build innovative world-first solutions that make our customer’s and employee’s lives easier.

The Director, AI Strategy & Partnerships is a pivotal role, responsible for shaping Optus’ AI strategy and fostering strategic partnerships to drive innovation and business growth. This role focuses on identifying and cultivating opportunities that future-proof Optus, ensuring access to critical skills, co-developing industry-leading products and services, and advocating for the responsible use of AI.

We are seeking a dynamic individual to join our team to drive exceptional customer and employee experience through the use of Artificial Intelligence across the enterprise. Optus’ vision is to become an AI-native Telco where AI supports C-suite priorities as a critical focus like engineering, influencing decisions at all levels, and where capabilities are built as products not projects, designed for scalability and reuse. You have a passion for AI, digital and change agility which ignites this growth.  The role sits in the Digital & AI division responsible for AI across Optus and is responsible for shaping and implementing Optus's artificial intelligence strategy and establishing key partnerships to accelerate innovation and growth in the space. Playing a pivotal role in finding opportunities, forging strategic alliances, and driving initiatives to leverage AI technologies across Optus's product and service offerings. Acting as an innovator in this field, bringing a long-term view of the evolution of AI, the telco industry and how Optus will position itself through this evolution.

Role Responsibilities

• Strategy Leadership : Forging a comprehensive AI strategy aligned to Optus’ vision and business objectives and driving adoption of AI technologies across business units to enhance operational efficiencies and customer experience

• Stakeholder management : Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support our AI ambition. Communicate AI strategy, progress and outcomes to key stakeholders.

• Market analysis: Conduct in-depth market analysis and research to identify emerging trends, technologies, and opportunities in the AI landscape. Stay abreast of industry developments, competitive dynamics, and regulatory trends to advise Optus's AI strategy.

• Partnership development: Developing partnership opportunities with stakeholders in the AI ecosystem, including technology providers, start-ups, academic institutions and industry to access the latest technology/applications, secure access to key skills and shape responsible use.

• Innovation : Drive innovation initiatives to harness the power of AI in redefining Optus's business processes, customer experiences, and revenue streams. Develop and validate proofs of concept, and experiments to demonstrate the value of these technologies.

• Engagement: Collaborate closely with multi-functional teams, including product development, engineering, marketing, and sales, to integrate AI capabilities into Optus's products, services, and operations. Championing a culture of innovation and collaboration across the organisation.

• Responsible AI : Promote the responsible use of AI within Optus. Develop frameworks that support transparency, fairness, accountability and safety in AI applications in line with Optus’ AI Principles.

Required Experience

• Deep experience in AI applications and understanding of AI technologies, including machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and predictive analytics. Complimented with proven understanding of the AI partner landscape in Australia and globally.

• Strong relationship building and leadership skills with ability to influence at an Executive level, both internal and external to Optus.

• Extensive experience in partnership development, maintenance, and maximising these partnerships. Designing enterprise-wide partnership strategies and forging commercial relationships to build innovative products and experiences.

• Proven track record of success in developing and delivering customer focused technology/AI strategies in a corporate, start up, tech or consulting environment.

Perks we love at Optus

• 3 days in the office, 2 days remote – with flexible hours to suit!

• Inclusive paid parental leave; up to 14 weeks for the primary care giver

• Connect at work through one of our employee-led volunteer groups: Culture Connect, Elevate Women, Disability Network, Express Yourself (LGBTQIA+), United Veterans and Yarn Network.

Qualifications:

• Education : Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or a related field. Master’s degree, PHD or MBA preferred.

• Experience : Minimum of 5 years of experience in AI strategy, technology partnerships, or a related field. Proven track record of developing and executing successful emerging technology strategies and partnerships. Experience in leading cross-functional teams.

• Skills : Strong understanding of AI technologies, trends, and their business applications. Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills. Strong analytical toolkit. Strategic thinking with the ability to drive innovation and change. Strong leadership and project management abilities.

At Optus, we are strengthened by others and that means valuing diversity and saying ‘yes’ to embracing individual differences. We are committed to ensuring that our application process provides an equal employment opportunity to all job seekers, including individuals from diverse gender, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, individuals with a disability, individuals identifying as being part of the LGBTQIA+ community, individuals who may have served in the armed forces or who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. If you require any adjustments or accessibility support to participate fairly and equitably in the recruitment process, please email [email protected] along with your preferred method of contact and we will be in touch. For more information on Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at Optus, please visit  #LI-LW1

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