AI Transformation Lead

substance; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Substance, a Singapore-based technology and advisory firm, seeks a senior transformation leader to drive enterprise AI adoption and intelligent automation across networks, CX, digital, and operations. This role focuses on real-world deployment, governance, and measurable business impact rather than pure research.

You will partner with CTO, CDO, product and operations, translating AI capabilities into business outcomes, leading cross-functional teams, and scaling initiatives beyond pilots while

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 deploying analytics, automation, ML, or AI solutions in real business settings, not just strategy.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive AI transformation roadmap across business units (Network, CX, Digital, Operations).
• Identify high-impact AI use cases tied to revenue, efficiency, and retention.
• Lead implementation of AI initiatives (predictive maintenance, AI-driven service automation, churn models, pricing/personalisation engines, fraud detection).
• Cross-functional leadership with CTO, CDO, Product and Operations; translate AI capabilities into business language.
• Vendor and ecosystem management to build scalable partnerships and avoid low-ROI tools.
• Drive operational transformation and cost optimisation by reducing manual workflows.

Skills

Leadership

Strategy

AI Transformation

Stakeholder Alignment

Job description

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:

• Predictivenetworkmaintenance
• AI-drivencustomerserviceautomation
• Churnpredictionandretentionmodels
• Intelligentpricing&personalisationengines
• AI-enabledfrauddetectionandrisksystems

Youwillbeaccountableforscalingsolutionsbeyondpilotstage.

3.Cross-FunctionalStakeholderLeadership

• WorkwithCTO,CDO,Product,andOperationsteams
• TranslatetechnicalAIcapabilitiesintobusinesslanguage
• Alignvendors,internalAIteams,andexternalpartners
• Navigateorganisationalresistancetochange(veryrealintelco)

4.Vendor&EcosystemManagement

• EvaluateAIvendors,platforms,andsolutions(GenAI,MLOps,automationtools)
• Avoidoverinvestmentinhype-driventoolswithlowROI
• BuildscalableAIpartnershipswithinthetelcoecosystem

5.OperationalTransformation&CostOptimisation

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

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.

AI & Technology Exposure

• 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
• ImprovedcustomerexperienceviaAI-drivenjourneys
• Enterprise-wideAIgovernanceandadoptionframeworkestablished
• ClearROIonAIinvestments

At Substance, we believe in genuine connections, not just filling roles. If your profile is a strong match, you’ll hear from us within 1-2 weeks. If not, no empty promises—just know we appreciate your interest, and we’ll keep you in mind for future opportunities where you can truly make an impact. Our focus is on building meaningful partnerships, so when the right role comes along, we’ll be ready to make it count.

Getsubstance.co Pte. Ltd. | EA License No: 24C2398