Senior Director, CAIO Office and Institutes

The University of Arizona•Tucson, AZ

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Director serves as the senior administrative, strategic, and operational leader for the Chief AI and Data Science Officer (CAIO) and affiliated functional areas. The role provides strategic leadership and oversight for the Office of Responsible Artificial Intelligence (ORAI), the Arizona Institute for AI and Society (AI2S), the AI Health Initiative, CB2, AI strategy, research development, fiscal management, organizational operations, communications, and administrative activities across a major university functional area. Working directly with the CAIO and senior University leadership, the Senior Director oversees operational planning, campus AI fluency and education planning, research and departmental programs, policies, and systems that advance institutional AI priorities. The position manages professional staff and subordinate managers and collaborates with academic, research, administrative, government, industry, and other external partners. Visa sponsorship is not available. The role leads strategic planning and translates institutional priorities into operational plans, programs, and systems across multiple research, academic, and administrative units. It oversees research, education, and operational development and administration supporting the university's AI research portfolio; develops strategies for external funding and interdisciplinary programs; and provides strategic oversight of budgets, resources, administrative operations, staffing, procurement, contracts, communications, and facilities. The Senior Director also leads organizational management, develops staff and managers, supports institutional partnerships and policy development, and establishes measures to assess outcomes and report to the CAIO and senior University leadership. The University of Arizona describes this as a full-time, benefits-eligible position with a 40-hour workweek. The role is based at the Tucson Campus.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional-level experience.
At least 9 years of related work experience.
At least 5 years of managerial experience leading a team, project, program, or function.
Broad knowledge and expertise in research administration, research development, strategic planning, organizational management, and institutional operations.
Demonstrated ability to lead complex programs, projects, and functional areas involving multiple disciplines and organizational units.
Advanced knowledge of financial planning, budget administration, resource allocation, and financial stewardship.
Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate strategic and operational plans, programs, policies, and systems.
Demonstrated ability to manage and develop individuals and managers.
Ability to influence senior leaders and stakeholders and build consensus around institutional priorities.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Excellent written, verbal, and executive communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects and initiatives of varying scope and scale.
Ability to analyze complex organizational issues and develop innovative and effective solutions.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree.
Knowledge of current and emerging artificial intelligence research, technologies, and applications.
Knowledge of federal research funding, research development, and external partnership development.
Demonstrated experience managing complex programs or functional areas, developing and implementing strategic and operational plans, managing budgets and resources, and working collaboratively across organizational boundaries.

Responsibilities

Lead strategic planning for the University's institutional AI activities under the direction of the CAIO.
Translate institutional priorities and the CAIO's strategic direction into operational plans, programs, and systems spanning research, academic, and administrative units.
Advise the CAIO and senior University leadership on institutional AI priorities, emerging opportunities, organizational needs, and resource requirements.
Develop, implement, and evaluate strategies, policies, and processes that advance university AI priorities and respond to emerging trends and opportunities.
Lead research, education, and operational development and administration supporting the university's AI research portfolio and strategic research priorities.
Identify and evaluate external funding opportunities and develop strategies to position the university for major research investments.
Facilitate development of interdisciplinary research programs, centers, institutes, consortia, proposals, and strategic partnerships.
Coordinate with faculty, research leaders, academic colleges, research institutes, and research administration units to develop and implement research programs and agendas.
Write proposals, monitor funding opportunities, and attend meetings to remain engaged.
Monitor program performance and evaluate ways to strengthen research competitiveness and national leadership in artificial intelligence.
Provide strategic oversight of financial and administrative activities for ORAI, AI2S, and research initiatives.
Manage budgets, monitor expenditures, forecast funding needs, and align resources with organizational priorities.
Develop annual budget submissions and multi-year financial plans, and manage resources in accordance with approved budgets and University policies.
Oversee resource allocation, financial forecasting, administrative operations, space and facilities, staffing, procurement, contracts, communications, and other resources.
Evaluate financial and operational information, identify risks and opportunities, and recommend resource strategies that support stewardship and sustainable growth.
Lead the organizational structure and administrative workforce, including individuals and subordinate managers.
Recruit, develop, coach, and evaluate managers and professional staff; establish expectations for performance, accountability, and professional development.
Develop staffing models and organizational structures aligned with strategic priorities and changing institutional needs.
Lead tactical and strategic change through subordinate managers and ensure implementation of organizational policies, processes, and operational plans.
Promote collaboration, innovation, continuous improvement, and effective use of organizational resources.
Collaborate with academic colleges, research institutes, University Information Technology Services, the Office of Research and Partnerships, the Office of the Provost, Finance, and other University entities to advance strategic goals.
Influence senior leadership and develop, modify, and execute strategic programs, policies, and practices that may have enterprise-wide impact.
Represent ORAI in University committees, working groups, external partnerships, and other engagements as delegated.
Establish performance measures and accountability mechanisms, evaluate outcomes, and prepare strategic reports, recommendations, and briefings for the CAIO and senior University leadership.

Benefits

Health insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Life insurance
Disability programs
Paid vacation
Paid sick leave
Paid holidays
Tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members at U of A, ASU, and NAU
Retirement plans
Access to U of A recreation and cultural activities
Innovative work-life programs