Director, AI Strategy

Academy of Art University•Bentonville, AR

2d•Remote

About The Position

Academy of Art University is seeking a Director of AI Strategy to serve as a trusted internal advisor to academic and administrative leadership. This role will lead the development and execution of institution‑wide AI strategies that support creative excellence, student success, workforce readiness, and operational effectiveness. The Director of AI Strategy combines strategic thinking and vision, executive advisory skills, and practical execution, translating emerging AI technologies into responsible, human‑centered solutions aligned with the university’s mission and values. This role reports to the Chief of Staff and partners closely with university leadership to align AI initiatives with institutional mission, values, and long-term goals, ensuring innovation enhances student outcomes, faculty enablement, and operational excellence.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience in AI strategy, digital transformation, technology consulting, or a related field
Proven ability to advise and collaborate with senior leaders and cross‑functional stakeholders
Strong conceptual understanding of AI, data, and cloud technologies, with the ability to communicate clearly to non‑technical audiences
Experience leading assessments, developing strategic roadmaps, and supporting implementation efforts
Excellent facilitation, storytelling, and presentation skills

Nice To Haves

Experience in higher education, creative industries, or mission‑driven organizations
Knowledge of responsible AI, ethics, governance, and workforce transformation
Familiarity with both enterprise and creative AI tools and platforms
Consulting or internal advisory experience within a complex organization

Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted advisor to university leadership on AI, emerging technologies, and digital transformation.
Translate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable strategies for non-technical stakeholders.
Facilitate executive-level discussions to define AI vision, priorities, and enterprise-wide decision-making.
Lead comprehensive AI capability and readiness assessments across academic and administrative units, including: Evaluation of current-state of employees, processes including workflows across departments, technologies, data, and tools Identification of gaps, risks, and opportunities related to AI adoption, governance, and workforce readiness Synthesis of findings into concise, actionable insights for leadership and stakeholders.
Develop and maintain AI strategy roadmaps aligned with University objectives, including student success, faculty support, creative innovation, and operational efficiency.
Design phased implementation plans that balance innovation, feasibility, risk management, and human impact.
Define success metrics and expected outcomes, including adoption, maturity, and capability development.
Advise on AI enablement strategies, including governance frameworks, ethical use, accessibility, academic integrity, and responsible AI practices.
Support workforce transformation through learning strategies, training programs, and capability building.
Evaluate and recommend build vs. buy decisions for AI tools, platforms, and solutions.
Design and lead workshops, executive briefings, and AI use case discovery sessions for diverse audiences, including faculty, administrators, and creative practitioners.
Partner with stakeholders to identify high-value, responsible AI use cases across academic, creative, and operational domains.