Deputy Director - AI Transformation Office

Deputy Director – AI Transformation Office

Location: UPES, Dehradun

Reporting to: Head – AI Transformation Office

About the Role

UPES is embarking on an institution-wide AI transformation to integrate AI across academic delivery, research, student services, administration, and decision-making. The Deputy Head – AI Transformation Office will play a critical leadership role in translating strategy into execution, ensuring that AI initiatives are effectively planned, implemented, monitored, and scaled across the university. The ideal candidate will combine strategic thinking, strong programme management capabilities, technical familiarity with AI technologies, and have proven experience leading multidisciplinary teams in complex organisational environments.

Key Responsibilities

AI Strategy & Transformation

• Support the development and execution of the university-wide AI transformation roadmap.
• Identify opportunities for AI adoption across academic, administrative, operational, and student-facing functions.
• Translate institutional priorities into actionable AI programmes and projects.
• Contribute to AI governance, policy frameworks, responsible AI adoption, and change management initiatives.
• Monitor emerging AI technologies and assess their relevance and applicability to higher education.

AI Deployment & Implementation

• Lead the planning, coordination, and deployment of AI initiatives across multiple departments.
• Work closely with faculty, IT teams, administrators, external partners, and solution providers to ensure successful implementation.
• Facilitate pilot projects, proofs-of-concept, and enterprise-scale AI deployments.
• Ensure AI projects are aligned with institutional objectives, budgets, timelines, and compliance requirements.
• Drive adoption and capability-building initiatives across stakeholder groups.

Programme Management & Project Tracking

• Establish robust project governance, reporting structures, and performance tracking mechanisms.
• Develop and maintain dashboards to monitor project status, milestones, risks, dependencies, and outcomes.
• Track execution across multiple concurrent initiatives and ensure timely delivery.
• Escalate critical issues, recommend corrective actions, and maintain accountability across project teams.
• Prepare executive reports and presentations for senior leadership and governance committees.

Stakeholder Engagement & Leadership

• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary teams comprising academic leaders, technology specialists, operations personnel, and external consultants.
• Build alignment among diverse stakeholders and drive institution-wide collaboration.
• Facilitate workshops, reviews, and strategic planning sessions related to AI transformation.
• Represent the AI Transformation Office in internal and external engagements, partnerships, and industry forums.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Information Systems, Management, or a related discipline.
• Additional certifications in Project Management, Digital Transformation, AI, Data Analytics, or Change Management will be advantageous.

Experience

• 10–15 years of relevant professional experience, including leadership roles in large and complex organisations.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully delivering large-scale transformation, technology, digitalisation, or AI-enabled initiatives.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary and cross-functional teams.
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining quality, timelines, and stakeholder alignment.
• Prior experience in higher education, consulting, technology, digital transformation, or enterprise programme management is desirable.

Leadership & Communication Skills

• Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Strong presentation, facilitation, and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Demonstrated leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• High degree of organisational ability, attention to detail, and execution focus.
• Ability to work effectively across academic, administrative, and technical environments.

Success Measures

Success in this role will be measured by:

• Effective execution of the university's AI transformation roadmap.
• Timely delivery of AI initiatives and programmes.
• Demonstrable institutional adoption of AI-enabled practices.
• Quality of stakeholder engagement and collaboration.
• Achievement of programme milestones, impact metrics, and transformation outcomes.
• Establishment of robust governance, tracking, and reporting mechanisms across the AI portfolio.