Principal, AI Strategy & Governance

Optimum•Town of Oyster Bay, NY

6d•$155,509 - $222,156

About The Position

Optimum is scaling the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence to drive efficiency, improve employee experience, enhance decision‑making, and strengthen operational resilience. The Principal, Enterprise AI Center of Excellence (CoE) is a senior leadership role responsible for defining how AI is adopted, governed, and scaled safely across Optimum and its subsidiaries. The AI CoE is embedded within the CISO organization and serves the entire enterprise. This role partners closely with Technology, Security, Legal, Compliance, Data, and Business leaders and influences AI execution.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or related field
10+ years in senior technology leadership (AI/ML, digital transformation, or product/platform leadership)
Proven experience establishing or scaling a Center of Excellence or enterprise program
Deep understanding of modern AI architectures, cloud platforms, and enterprise AI stacks (including generative AI considerations)
Demonstrated success in change management, adoption, and upskilling across diverse business units
Experience integrating risk, security, compliance, and ethical frameworks into AI programs
Executive presence with the ability to communicate complex topics to non-technical audiences and influence at all levels
Experience in or alongside Security, Risk, Compliance, Legal, or within regulated industries a plus
Track record quantifying and communicating AI ROI and business value
Vendor/platform evaluation and selection experience
Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S.

Responsibilities

Define and evolve the enterprise AI strategy, operating model, and governance aligned to company transformation goals.
Establish and run the AI CoE forum, including monthly cross-functional meetings and decision-making processes.
Partner with business and technology leaders to identify, assess, and prioritize high-impact AI use cases—balancing feasibility, value, risk, and ethics.
Standardize intake, evaluation, and approval workflows.
Embed responsible AI principles, risk management, privacy, security, and compliance into all AI initiatives.
Establish enterprise AI guardrails, standards, and review mechanisms.
Champion change management and enterprise AI fluency programs.
Drive education and enablement for leadership and teams to accelerate safe adoption.
Evaluate AI platforms, tools, and vendors; partner with Security and Technology to select best-in-class, secure solutions.
Define and track KPIs/OKRs for AI adoption, product success, risk mitigation, and business value/ROI.
Support business leaders in communicating outcomes and impact.
Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing, multidisciplinary AI CoE team.
Remove barriers, align stakeholders, and cultivate a culture of innovation with operational rigor.
Stay current on AI trends, regulations, and emerging risks; translate insights into actionable guidance for Optimum.