Principal AI COE

Optimum•Plano, TX

12d

About The Position

We are Optimum, a leader in the fast-paced world of connectivity, and we're on the hunt for enthusiastic professionals to join our team! We understand that connectivity isn't just a luxury anymore – it's a necessity that empowers lives, fuels businesses, and drives innovation. A career at Optimum means you'll be enabling progress and enhancing lives by providing reliable, high-speed connectivity solutions that keep the world connected. We owe our success to our amazing product, commitment to our people and the connections we make in every community. If you are resourceful, collaborative, team-oriented and passionate about delivering consistent excellence, Optimum is the Company for you! We are Job SummaryThe Principal, AI Center of Excellence (CoE) is responsible for leading and evolving the AI Center of Excellence for Optimum.The vision for the Optimum AI COE is to responsibly harness Artificial Intelligence across the enterprise to drive efficiency, improve employee experience, enhance decision-making, and strengthen operational resilience. Thus, enabling our employees to focus on Innovation, Customers and Growth.• Our role is to foster the responsible use of AI across the organization• While we are not driving AI initiatives directly, we ensure they are implemented securely and safely• We support teams by making AI capabilities accessible and by helping surface and validate ideas through a lens of protection – for the company, its employees and contractors.The AI COE is embedded within the Chief Information Security Office (CISO) organization but serves all of Optimum and its subsidiaries.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or related field
10+ years of experience in technology leadership roles, with a focus on AI/ML, digital transformation, or product management
Experience in formation and leadership of COE functions with a focus on technology programs
Experience managing cross-functional teams and complex portfolios in fast-paced, high-growth environments
Deep understanding of modern AI/ML architectures, cloud platforms, and AI technology stacks
Demonstrated ability to drive change management, adoption, and upskilling across diverse business units
Experience with risk management, compliance, security and ethical frameworks in AI
Strong executive presence and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels
Strategic, innovative, and creative thinker with strong analytical skills
Ability to balance vision with hands-on execution and operational rigor
Strong collaboration, facilitation, and interpersonal skills to engage stakeholders and drive alignment
Ability to create and present complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences

Responsibilities

Set the vision, strategy, and governance model for the AI Center of Excellence, ensuring alignment with company transformation goals.
Plan for and lead monthly cross functional AI COE meetings.
Establish relationships with leaders across all business units to support the identification, prioritization, and execution of high-impact AI use cases, balancing feasibility, impact, and ethical considerations.
Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure AI product success, adoption, and business value.
Drive a culture of responsible AI, embedding risk management, compliance, and ethical frameworks into all AI initiatives.
Champion change management and upskilling, partnering with business leaders to promote AI fluency and adoption.
Collaborate with internal and external partners to evaluate AI platforms, tools, and vendors, ensuring best-in-class solutions.
Support business leaders in capturing and communicating ROI from AI investments.
Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory developments to inform AI strategy.
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of AI professionals, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
Other duties as assigned.
Provide direction, guidance, and support to the AI CoE team. Set clear expectations, delegate tasks, and ensure effective communication.
Evaluate team performance, provide feedback, and conduct performance reviews. Identify areas for development and create growth plans.
Remove barriers for the team, ensuring access to tools, resources, and context needed for execution.
Actively coach and develop individual team members, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment.
Make decisions that balance strategic priorities and operational realities, contributing to the overall success of the organization.
Cultivate relationships with clients, partners, and other departments to facilitate collaboration and achieve common goals.
Recruit, interview, hire, and train new team members as needed.