Director, AI-First Digital Operations (Hybrid)

Perkins; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 250,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Ashurst Perkins Coie is seeking a Director, Digital Operations in Melbourne to lead the Digital Operations function for the Advance Digital and Data practice. You will own the intake, prioritisation, delivery and measurement of digital, data and AI work across regions and teams.

The role demands 10+ years in technology portfolio management or digital operations, 5+ years in senior leadership, and strong executive communication.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience across technology portfolio management, delivery management, or digital and business operations, across multiple regions.
• 5+ years in a senior leadership role over multi-disciplinary teams, including people managers across offices/time zones/cultures.
• Ability to set operating model for an AI-native enabling function aligned to strategy and measurable outcomes.
• Fluency with generative AI and agentic tools in practical work; understanding of AI architecture, maturity, cost and lifecycle.
• Experience transforming operations to run on AI/automation with measurable gains in speed, scale or cost.
• Deep expertise in agile delivery and portfolio management at scale, including intake, prioritisation, capacity planning, risk management.
• Ability to design and interpret operational reporting including OKRs, metrics and value realization.
• Demonstrated executive presence and ability to explain complex tradeoffs to senior non-technical stakeholders.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience; advanced degree or agile certification a plus; experience in professional services or law is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Digital Operations function within the Advance Digital and Data practice.
• Own the operating model for intake, prioritization, delivery and measurement of digital, data and AI work.
• Ensure AI-first and agile methods drive value with regular visibility of progress.
• Manage portfolio of AI and agentic solutions, balancing cost, performance and business value.
• Partner with senior leadership to align demand with strategy and evidence value realization.

Skills

Portfolio management

Delivery management

Digital operations

Agile leadership

AI fluency

Executive communication

Budget ownership

Vendor negotiation

Stakeholder management

Data visualization

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, information systems, engineering

Job description

Ashurst Perkins Coie is seeking a Director, Digital Operations in Melbourne to lead the Digital Operations function for the Advance Digital and Data practice. You will own the intake, prioritisation, delivery and measurement of digital, data and AI work across regions and teams.

The role demands 10+ years in technology portfolio management or digital operations, 5+ years in senior leadership, and strong executive communication.