AI Transformation Lead

ABB Inc.; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

ABB Energy Industries seeks an AI Transformation Lead to build and operate the AI Factory, the transformation engine enabling AI adoption across functions. You will lead a global virtual network of experts and ensure governance, alignment with IS standards, and scalable value realization.

The role reports to the Operational Excellence Manager and supports multiple countries, with travel approximately 20%. No relocation is required; you will be employed through your current ABB location or the

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Technology, Business, Data Science or related field.
• 8+ years leadership in transformation, digitalization, innovation, technology or consulting.
• Proven experience building a new capability, program or transformation initiative.
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders in a complex global organization.
• Experience developing business cases and investment proposals.
• Strong understanding of AI-driven business transformation.
• Professional fluency in English.
• Willingness to travel internationally ~20%.

Responsibilities

• Define and continuously evolve the AI Factory strategy and operating model.
• Establish the AI Factory as a trusted transformation capability across Energy Industries.
• Drive divisional alignment on AI priorities, principles and governance.
• Ensure AI transformation activities support and accelerate the NewGen transformation framework.
• Govern the divisional AI portfolio with intake, prioritization and stage-gate processes.
• Provide transparency on portfolio performance, maturity, investment and value realization.
• Report divisional AI transformation progress to executive leadership.
• Ensure alignment with IS standards and processes.
• Support functions in developing transformation opportunities, business cases and investment proposals.
• Define the vision and strategy for the AI Academy and develop AI competencies across Energy Industries.
• Promote AI literacy and develop a network of AI champions and advocates.
• Engage senior leaders to align AI opportunities with business priorities and secure sponsorship.
• Drive reuse of AI solutions, methods and assets across functions.
• Promote scalable and sustainable adoption models.
• Support functions in moving from existing processes with added AI features toward AI-designed processes.

Skills

Leadership

Transformation

AI

Stakeholder influence

Strategy

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Technology/Business

Job description

At ABB, we help industries run leaner and cleaner-and every person here makes that happen. You'll be empowered to lead, supported to grow, and proud of the impact we create together. Join us and help run what runs the world.

This position reports to:

Operational Excellence Manager

Your role and responsibilities

Energy Industries is establishing an AI Factory as the AI Transformation Engine for the division. The AI Factory will enable, accelerate and scale AI transformation across functions by providing governance, expertise, delivery capabilities, reusable assets and capability development.

As AI Transformation Lead, you will build, operate and continuously improve this transformation engine. You will create the conditions that enable Energy Industries functions to redesign processes, adopt AI and realize business value at scale.

Functional leaders remain accountable for business outcomes, process transformation, adoption and value realization within their organizations. You will own the transformation engine that enables these outcomes, rather than the functional outcomes themselves.

Global Opportunity - Open to Candidates Worldwide*

This position does not require relocation. The successful candidate will be employed and hosted through their current ABB location or the nearest suitable ABB office

You will be mainly accountable for:

• Define and continuously evolve the AI Factory strategy and operating model.
• Establish the AI Factory as a trusted transformation capability across Energy Industries.
• Drive divisional alignment on AI priorities, principles and governance.
• Ensure that AI transformation activities support and accelerate the NewGen transformation framework.
• Govern the divisional AI portfolio and establish effective intake, prioritization, stage-gate and escalation mechanisms.
• Provide transparency on portfolio performance, maturity, investment and value realization.
• Report divisional AI transformation progress to executive leadership.
• Ensure alignment with applicable IS standards and processes.
• Support functions in developing transformation opportunities, business cases and investment proposals.
• Define the vision and strategy for the AI Academy and drive the development of AI competencies across Energy Industries.
• Promote AI literacy and develop a network of AI champions and advocates.
• Engage senior leaders to align AI opportunities with business priorities and secure effective sponsorship.
• Drive the reuse of successful AI solutions, methods and assets across functions.
• Promote scalable and sustainable adoption models.
• Support functions in moving from existing processes with added AI features toward processes designed around AI capabilities.

You will lead a global virtual ecosystem of subject matter experts, delivery teams, architects, project managers, functional stakeholders and external partners. The role influences a delivery network of a large number of professionals across multiple functions and geographies.

This position has significant influence over divisional priorities, investments, governance decisions and the effectiveness of the AI Transformation Engine. The role operates through leadership, alignment and authority delegated by the AI Factory Steering Committee.

Qualifications for the role

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Technology, Business, Data Science or a related field.
• At least 8 years of leadership experience in transformation, digitalization, innovation, technology, consulting or a comparable environment.
• Demonstrated experience building a new capability, organization, program or transformation initiative.
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders in a complex, global or matrixed organization.
• Experience developing business cases and investment proposals.
• Strong understanding of AI-driven business transformation.
• Professional fluency in English.
• Willingness to travel internationally approximately 20 percent.

• Preferred background

  • Experience in industrial, engineering, energy, infrastructure or technology environments.
  • Experience in consulting, a startup, a scale-up or another fast-moving environment.
  • Experience with AI-enabled transformation programs.
  • Advanced degree in a relevant discipline.

What puts you in front? If you...

• Are a builder who enjoys creating capabilities, not only maintaining established structures.
• Bring an entrepreneurial mindset, resilience and a strong bias for action.
• Can create clarity and structure in an ambiguous environment.
• Combine systems thinking with practical execution.
• Influence stakeholders without relying solely on formal authority.
• Challenge established approaches constructively.
• Care about measurable transformation and sustainable business value.

*This opportunity is open to candidates in multiple countries, with the final work location determined based on the selected candidate. As compensation may vary by location, we are committed to being transparent throughout the hiring process and will share details of the salary range, variable compensation and benefits package with candidates who progress to the first interview stage for a location in the European Union, covered by the EU Pay Transparency Directive.

The final offer will be tailored based on your role location, experience, skills and qualifications, internal market positioning and alignment with ABB internal standards.

Building a cleaner, smarter future takes all kinds of minds: the curious, the courageous, and the creative. That's why we welcome people from all backgrounds and experiences.

Ready to make an impact?