Dir, AI CoE

Horizon Healthcare Services•Newark, NJ

About The Position

The Director of the AI Center of Excellence will lead the strategic vision, development, and execution of enterprise-wide Artificial Intelligence initiatives within the organization. This role is responsible for driving innovation, ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations, and delivering AI solutions that enhance operational efficiency, improve member experience, and support clinical and financial outcomes. The Director serves as a thought leader and advisor to senior leadership, ensuring the CoE delivers measurable value and operational efficiency.

Requirements

Requires bachelor’s degree in technical discipline (computer science, engineering or data sciences) or 12 years of relevant experience in lieu of degree
15+ years of relevant overall experience in enterprise technology strategy, architecture and governance roles
Experience in AL/ML, data science and at least 5 years in leadership or strategic roles
Proven track record in implementing AI solutions in health care industry
Experience in evaluating, selecting emerging technologies, assessing potential impacts and developing adoption strategies
Expertise in AI/ML principles, techniques, technologies and lifecycle management
Deep knowledge of Generative AI, LLMs, RAG pipelines, NLP and advanced ML techniques
Strong technical knowledge of cloud environments (AWS, Azure), LLMOps and MLOps practices and tools, and enterprise data ecosystems.
Knowledge of AI ethics and responsible AI principles`
Proven ability to translate business needs into scalable, secure, and ethical AI solutions.
Strong leadership skills, along with exceptional soft and interpersonal skills, including teamwork, facilitation and negotiation.
Strong consulting skills, such as in targeted communications, engagement management, stakeholder management and business development
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners.
A self-starter with strong consulting, communication and influencing skills
Strong leadership and management skills with the ability to mentor, motivate, and lead a team of technology professionals.

Nice To Haves

Higher degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, MIS or equivalent preferred (or equivalent work experience)
Healthcare Industry experience and knowledge of Payer domain preferred
AI/ML certifications (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud AI)

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision Guide the strategic vision, roadmap, and execution of the AI CoE, ensuring the delivery of measurable business value in alignment with organizational priorities
Communicate the AI strategy and roadmap to stakeholders at all levels of the organization in a collaborative and consultative manner; build strong relationships with key stakeholders to drive AI adoption and alignment
Partner with business and IT stakeholders to identify high-value AI technology enabled use cases, assess feasibility, and prioritize initiatives based on impact and ROI
Stay current with emerging trends in AI and healthcare technologies to guide future innovation
Influence and navigate the corporate landscape to secure resources and support for AI initiatives
Assess and quantify AI-related risks, including potential business losses and human impacts
Ensure stakeholders are informed (e.g. explainable AI and bias detection) and promote ethical use of AI
Promote the value of AI to all levels of the organization; drive enterprise change management, including training programs to upskill staff and foster an AI-first culture
AI Project Execution & Delivery Oversee AI project lifecycle, from ideation to proof-of-concept, MVP, production deployment and maintenance; ensure successful execution of AI initiatives, on time, within budget, and in adherence to quality standards
Ensure responsible and ethical AI deployment, including explainability, bias mitigation, and secure data handling
Manage global resources, including FTEs, contractors, and external partners
Develop business cases, manage budgets, and track AI investment ROI
Technology & Innovation Maintain a strong understanding of digital technologies and trends, with a focus on AI, machine learning, data analytics, and cloud computing; participate in industry forums and working groups to help shape future AI business technology
Collaborate with IT, architecture, and cloud teams to design scalable AI infrastructure leveraging technologies such as AWS, Azure, Databricks, Snowflake, etc.
Ensure that security and appropriate guardrails are in place for AI systems and data
Operational Excellence & Governance Define AI governance and ethics frameworks, policies and processes to ensure responsible and compliant AI practices
Establish and maintain performance metrics, KPIs and dashboards to track AI solution performance and adoption
Lead development and maintenance of AI architecture and development artifacts, roadmaps, blueprints, patterns other best practices; drive simplification and efficiency in AI operations
Identify opportunities for application, technology rationalization to reduce redundance and obsolescence
Oversee the selection and implementation of tools and processes that support the effective delivery of AI services
Oversee IT risk, security, and controls related to AI systems and data; develop standards, exception process and manage technology lifecycle and obsolescence risk.
Work to continually mature the AI Practice
Leadership & Talent Development Build, develop and mentor a high-performing AI CoE team of AI Architects and Engineers; develop and implement talent planning strategies to attract, retain, and develop top AI talent.
Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement within the AI COE, encouraging knowledge sharing and experimentation
RFP/RFI Support & Vendor Management Oversee vendor selection, evaluation, and integration for AI platforms, models, and tools while managing strategic partnerships and staying current on vendor roadmaps
Support development and evaluation of RFP, RFI, RFQ process and support AI vendor contract negotiations and renewals