AI Transformation Director

Holden Richardson LLC; United States; On-site; USD 260,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Holden Richardson LLC is retained by a global materials manufacturer to appoint its first Director of AI Transformation & Intelligent Business Enablement. This blank-slate role will build the enterprise AI strategy, operating model, and governance from the ground up to drive value across a worldwide organization.

You will report to the Chief Innovation & AI Officer and lead change initiatives to embed AI and automation across Shared Services, Manufacturing, and other functions.

Qualifications

• 12+ years in digital transformation, AI, or automation.
• Proven track record building an AI program from scratch.
• Global, matrixed leadership experience.
• Experience transforming shared services processes.
• Experience leading large consulting or SI partners.
• Manufacturing, chemicals, materials, or industrial experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Define and own the enterprise AI strategy and multi-year roadmap.
• Lead AI and automation across Shared Services: Supply Chain, Customer Service, Finance, and HR.
• Drive enterprise-wide change management, adoption, and AI literacy.
• Build the AI operating model, Center of Excellence, and governance.
• Partner with Global IT, Manufacturing, and leading global consultants to deliver measurable value.
• Connect enterprise AI with robotics and plant automation investments.

Skills

AI strategy

Change management

Digital transformation

Leadership

Generative AI

RPA

Tools

Microsoft Copilot

Job description

Holden Richardson has been retained by a multi-billion-dollar global materials manufacturer to find its first Director of AI Transformation & Intelligent Business Enablement. This is a true blank-slate role.

The company’s AI footprint today is limited to Microsoft Copilot, and there is no established AI infrastructure, operating model, or governance framework yet.

You will build all of it.

You will report to a newly appointed Chief Innovation & AI Officer who brings big-tech AI experience. You’ll own the enterprise-wide AI strategy and lead the change management needed to embed AI and automation across a global organization. Leadership is committed to automation and innovation, and the company is actively investing in robotics and plant automation.

What you’ll do

• Define and own the enterprise AI strategy and multi-year roadmap
• Lead AI and automation across Shared Services: Supply Chain, Customer Service, Finance, and HR
• Drive enterprise-wide change management, adoption, and AI literacy
• Build the AI operating model, Center of Excellence, and responsible-AI governance
• Partner with Global IT, Manufacturing, and a leading global consulting firm to deliver measurable business value
• Connect enterprise AI with ongoing robotics and plant automation investments

What you bring

• 12+ years in digital transformation, AI, intelligent automation, or technology-enabled business transformation
• A track record of building an AI or digital program from scratch, not just inheriting one
• Proven change leadership in a global, matrixed organization
• Working knowledge of generative AI, agentic AI, ML, RPA, and the Microsoft ecosystem
• Experience transforming shared services processes
• Experience leading large consulting or systems-integrator partners
• Manufacturing, chemicals, materials, CPG, or industrial experience strongly preferred