Director of Applied AI and Digital Innovation & Co-Director for the Center for AI Enablement

Midwestern University•Glendale, AZ

16h•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Applied AI and Digital Innovation serves as Co-Director of Midwestern University’s Center for AI Enablement (CAE), alongside the Co-Director of Academic Innovation. The role leads the CAE’s operational, programmatic, and technical-risk management initiatives, connecting health sciences education, digital architectures, and enterprise strategy. The Director deploys human-centered AI, agentic workflows, and automation across the Glendale and Downers Grove campuses, working with university leadership and academic stakeholders to improve efficiency, ensure compliance, and advance educational technology. The Director leads AI integration and strategy, governance and compliance, training and enablement, and day-to-day operations. Responsibilities include establishing an AI community of practice; identifying automation opportunities; developing AI policies and performance measures; managing the AI Fellows Program and annual AI Summit; and supervising staff, budgets, and contracts. The position also represents the university at external conferences and leadership bodies. Midwestern University is a private, not-for-profit graduate and post-graduate health sciences institution with campuses in Downers Grove, Illinois, and Glendale, Arizona. The position requires regular, in-person and predictable attendance. The work environment is generally a business office with computers and printers and a usually moderate noise level.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; preferred fields include Instructional Design and Technology, Higher Education Leadership, Educational Technology, Healthcare Informatics, or a related discipline.
At least 5–7 years of progressively responsible administrative or faculty leadership experience in higher education, including direct supervisory and budget management experience.
Hands-on experience with enterprise generative AI platforms, agentic workflows, and institution-approved ecosystem tools.
In-depth understanding of compliance frameworks, data privacy laws, and healthcare and higher education regulatory standards, including FERPA, HIPAA, PII, and PHI.
Proven ability in change management, process architecture, cross-functional leadership, and building consensus across diverse institutional teams.
Computer proficiency with Google and Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business and professional materials, technical procedures, and governmental regulations; write reports, correspondence, and procedure manuals; and present information effectively to senior management and boards.
Ability to solve practical problems in situations with limited standardization and interpret written, oral, diagrammed, or scheduled instructions.
Intermediate mathematical ability, including calculating figures and applying basic algebra and geometry.
Regular, in-person and predictable attendance, with the ability to remain alert and work safely.
Ability to routinely lift 20 pounds; tolerate prolonged sitting and repeated routine tasks; and stoop, stand, and use fingers, hands, and arms. Vision must be correctable to 20/20 in one eye and hearing correctable to normal.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
At least 8 years of leadership experience in higher education technology, health sciences education, or clinical workflow modernization.
Active involvement or recognized thought leadership in national or regional educational technology initiatives, such as EDUCAUSE or Google Education summits.
Formal credentials or certifications in AI prompt engineering, content creation, process optimization, or data analysis.
Demonstrated commitment to customer service.

Responsibilities

Establish, facilitate, and maintain the university’s AI community of practice.
Partner with the ERP transformation team to identify opportunities for automated administrative operations.
Reduce redundant software licenses and improve cost efficiency by addressing distributed IT where central services support administrative, clinical, and academic units.
Co-direct discovery sessions and listening tours across both campuses to identify workflow bottlenecks and streamline operations.
Assist in drafting and implementing institutional policies on AI usage, data privacy, intellectual property, academic integrity, and clinical ethics in health sciences education.
Establish short- and long-term goals, departmental KPIs, and ongoing evaluation metrics for the CAE.
Evaluate emerging AI tools, vendors, and contract agreements to safeguard data integrity and institutional resources.
Champion institutional values in digital AI initiatives, policies, and personnel practices.
Direct and manage the Midwestern AI Fellows Program, mentoring internal champions and faculty leaders in discipline-specific AI adoption.
Plan, organize, and execute the annual university-wide AI Summit (Innovation Showcase).
Establish AI literacy pathways, workshop series, and professional development programs on enterprise tools.
Manage the CAE’s day-to-day operations and supervise professional and administrative staff while fostering an inclusive, high-performance team culture.
Formulate, monitor, and manage the CAE operating budget, resource allocation, and contract oversight.
Represent the university at national conferences, regional consortia, and external leadership bodies.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Life insurance
Short- and long-term disability
Pet insurance
Flexible spending accounts, including healthcare reimbursement and child/dependent care accounts
Paid holidays, sick/flex days, personal days, and vacation days
403(b) retirement plan
Tuition reimbursement
Child care subsidy reimbursement program
Identity theft protection
Employee assistance program
On-site wellness facility with a fully equipped fitness facility