AI Transformation Lead

Getsubstance; Singapore; On-site; SGD 240,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Getsubstance is seeking a senior transformation leader to drive enterprise AI adoption and intelligent automation across business units in Singapore. The role focuses on real, scalable AI implementations rather than theoretical work.

You will partner with C-suite, align AI investments with commercial goals, and lead cross-functional teams to accelerate value, efficiency, and customer outcomes. Experience in large-scale transformation is essential.

Qualifications

• 10–15+ years of experience in Digital Transformation, Data, Technology, Product, or Enterprise Change roles within Telco, Tech, Consulting, or large-scale enterprise environments
• Proven track record leading complex, cross-functional transformation programmes (digitalisation, automation, data transformation, or AI-enabled initiatives)
• Hands-on involvement in deploying advanced analytics, automation, machine learning, or AI-driven solutions in real business settings — not just conceptual strategy
• Strong foundation in technology, data, digital, or AI-related disciplines through formal education and/or substantial enterprise experience
• Ongoing learning in AI and emerging technologies is welcomed, including formal degree programmes or structured postgraduate study
• Consulting (McKinsey, BCG, Accenture, etc.) + AI programmes with proven track record delivering large-scale tech or AI initiatives (not just strategy decks)

Responsibilities

• Define and drive AI transformation roadmap across business units (Network, CX, Digital, Operations)
• Identify high-impact AI use cases tied directly to revenue, efficiency, and customer retention
• Partner with C-suite to align AI investments with commercial priorities
• Lead implementation of AI initiatives such as churn prediction and fraud detection
• Scale solutions beyond pilot stage and drive enterprise adoption
• Work with CTO, CDO, Product, and Operations teams to translate AI capabilities into business language
• Evaluate AI vendors, platforms, and solutions (GenAI, MLOps, automation tools)
• Reduce manual workflows and improve operational efficiency through AI automation

Skills

Enterprise AI strategy

Cross-functional leadership

Digital Transformation

AI initiatives deployment

Change management

Job description

Office: Singapore
Other Locations: Singapore

EveryoneistalkingaboutAI but veryfewareactuallyimplementingitend-to-end.

Thisroleisnotaboutbuildingmodelsinisolation. This is a senior transformation role focused on enterprise adoption of AI and intelligent automation, not a pure technical AI research or model-building position.

Candidates with strong backgrounds in digital, data, automation, or large-scale transformation — and recent exposure to AI-driven initiatives — are highly relevant, even if their career did not start in “AI-specific” roles.

WhatYouWillActuallyBeSolving(NotJustManaging)

• DisconnectedAIpilotsthatneverscalebeyondPOCs
• LegacysystemsblockingAIintegration
• HighOPEXincustomersupport,networkoperations,andmanualworkflows
• LackofAIstrategyalignmentbetweentech,product,andbusinessunits
• Pressurefromleadershiptomodernisewhilemaintainingoperationalstability

Thisisatransformationmandate,notaresearchrole.

CoreResponsibilities

1.EnterpriseAIStrategy&Execution

• DefineanddriveAItransformationroadmapacrossbusinessunits(Network,CX,Digital,Operations)
• Identifyhigh-impactAIusecasestieddirectlytorevenue,efficiency,andcustomerretention
• PartnerwithC-suitetoalignAIinvestmentswithcommercialpriorities

2.AIUseCaseDeployment(Real,NotTheoretical)

LeadimplementationofAIinitiativessuchas:

• Churnpredictionandretentionmodels
• AI-enabledfrauddetectionandrisksystems

Youwillbeaccountableforscalingsolutionsbeyondpilotstage.

3.Cross-FunctionalStakeholderLeadership

• WorkwithCTO,CDO,Product,andOperationsteams
• TranslatetechnicalAIcapabilitiesintobusinesslanguage
• Alignvendors,internalAIteams,andexternalpartners
• Navigateorganisationalresistancetochange(veryrealintelco)
• EvaluateAIvendors,platforms,andsolutions(GenAI,MLOps,automationtools)
• Avoidoverinvestmentinhype-driventoolswithlowROI
• BuildscalableAIpartnershipswithinthetelcoecosystem

5.OperationalTransformation&CostOptimisation

• ReducemanualworkflowsusingAIautomation
• Improveoperationalefficiencyacrossnetworkandserviceoperations
• DrivemeasurableKPIs(costsavings,speed,CXimprovements)

Requirements

Experience & Background

• 10–15+ years of experience in Digital Transformation, Data, Technology, Product, or Enterprise Change roles within Telco, Tech, Consulting, or large-scale enterprise environments
• Proven track record leading complex, cross-functional transformation programmes (e.g. digitalisation, automation, data transformation, or AI-enabled initiatives)
• Hands-on involvement in deploying advanced analytics, automation, machine learning, or AI-driven solutions in real business settings — not just conceptual strategy
• Strong foundation in technology, data, digital, or AI-related disciplines through formal education and/or substantial enterprise experience
• Ongoing learning in AI and emerging technologies is welcomed, including formal degree programmes or structured postgraduate study
• Surface-level certifications, short bootcamps, or purely theoretical AI credentials without proven large-scale implementation experience will not be considered a substitute for hands-on transformation leadership
• Consulting (McKinsey, BCG, Accenture, etc.) + AI programmes with proventrackrecorddeliveringlarge-scaletechorAIinitiatives(notjuststrategydecks)

This role does not require a decade of pure AI experience. It requires senior leaders who have evolved alongside emerging technologies and successfully integrated new capabilities into legacy and enterprise environments.

• Demonstrated experience implementing AI, automation, advanced analytics, or data-led initiatives within operational or customer-facing functions
• Strong understanding of how AI integrates into enterprise systems (CX platforms, network operations, CRM, billing, digital channels, etc.)
• Ability to translate AI capabilities into measurable business outcomes such as cost optimisation, service automation, customer experience enhancement, and operational efficiency
• We are not looking for a research scientist or pure AI engineer but we are looking for a transformation leader who can operationalise AI at scale. (Practical, Not Academic)

Leadership & Stakeholder Capability

• Experience working directly with C-suite stakeholders (CTO, CIO, CDO, COO, CEO) on strategic technology or transformation agendas
• Strong ability to align technical teams, business units, and external vendors within large, matrixed organisations
• Credibility to influence both technical specialists and non-technical leadership in a traditionally structured industry such as telecommunications

Industry & Environment Fit

• Experience in Telco, Digital Infrastructure, SaaS, Consulting, or other large-scale, regulated, or legacy-heavy environments is highly preferred
• Prior exposure to enterprise-scale systems, legacy integration challenges, and organisational change management
• Familiarity with vendor ecosystems, system integrators, and enterprise technology deployment cycles

What Will Make a Candidate Stand Out

• Experience scaling initiatives beyond pilot stage into enterprise-wide adoption
• Background in digital transformation, data transformation, or automation programmes prior to recent AI initiatives
• Ability to balance innovation with operational stability in complex, legacy environments
• Commercial mindset with a focus on ROI, efficiency, and measurable transformation impact

Thisisnotaplug-and-playhire.

Impact&SuccessMetrics(12–24Months)

• AIinitiativessuccessfullydeployedatscale(notstuckinpilot)
• MeasurableOPEXreductionthroughautomation
• Enterprise-wideAIgovernanceandadoptionframeworkestablished
• ClearROIonAIinvestments