Executive Director – AI and Data

Arizona State University; Tempe (AZ); On-site; USD 132,300 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Arizona State University is seeking a visionary Executive Director, AI and Data to architect the next generation of the AI-enabled university. This senior leader will shape ASU’s AI-ready data ecosystem, enterprise integration strategy, and intelligent platform architecture to power real-time intelligence and organizational agility.

You will collaborate with executive leadership, faculty, and operational teams to enable responsible AI, scalable data services, and interoperable systems across

Qualifications

• Experience leading AI, data, or platform modernization in large-scale environments such as universities or enterprises.
• Ability to translate visionary strategy into modern AI-ready architectures and enterprise integrations.
• Proven track record in building trusted data ecosystems and scaling enterprise services.

Responsibilities

• Shape how AI is embedded responsibly, securely, and strategically at a public research university.
• Define foundations to support AI-enabled student success, adaptive digital experiences, and intelligent operations.
• Define enterprise architecture to support AI-enabled institutional operations and scalable digital experiences for students and staff.
• Engage with executive leadership and cross-functional teams on institutional change and the future of work in higher education.
• Advance architectures that enable experimentation, interoperability, and responsible AI adoption.

Skills

Leadership

AI/ML platforms

Cloud-native

APIs

Data governance

Enterprise data architecture

Cybersecurity

Organizational change leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

Cloud platforms

APIs

Job description

Executive Director, AI and Data

Arizona State University — Enterprise Technology

Reimagining the Future of AI, Data, and the Intelligent University

Arizona State University is seeking a visionary executive leader to help architect the next generation of the AI‑enabled university. As one of the nation’s leading innovation universities, ASU is advancing a bold transition from traditional “EdTech” models toward a new TechEd paradigm: intelligent, interoperable, AI‑augmented systems designed around learners, discovery, and lifelong impact.

This senior Enterprise Technology leader will shape the university’s AI‑ready data ecosystem, enterprise integration strategy, and intelligent platform architecture. The role will help move ASU from fragmented systems and isolated data environments toward connected “data rivers” capable of powering real‑time intelligence, institutional agility, and AI at scale.

Essential Duties

• Help shape how AI becomes embedded responsibly, securely, and strategically into the fabric of a modern public research university.
• Establish the technical foundations that support AI‑enhanced student success, personalized and adaptive digital experiences, intelligent institutional operations, research acceleration, responsible AI governance, human‑centered automation, and cross‑functional interoperability at enterprise scale.
• Define and advance the enterprise architecture required to support AI‑enabled institutional operations, intelligent workflow orchestration, modern enterprise integrations, trusted and governed data ecosystems, semantic and analytics infrastructure, agentic AI systems and services, and scalable digital experiences for students, faculty, researchers, and staff.
• Engage with executive leadership, faculty innovators, operational leaders, and cross‑functional teams in conversations about institutional change, human‑centered design, and the future of work in higher education.
• Advance architectures and practices that enable experimentation, interoperability, responsible AI adoption, and continuous organizational learning.

Desired Qualifications

Leadership Experience

• Experience leading complex AI, data, or platform modernization initiatives within large-scale environments such as research universities, global enterprises, cloud and platform organizations, digital‑native organizations, or large healthcare, technology, or public‑sector ecosystems.
• Track record of executing on strategic vision, designing modern AI‑ready architectures, leading enterprise integration strategies, building trusted data ecosystems, scaling teams, platforms, and enterprise services, driving organizational transformation, influencing executive stakeholders, bridging technical and non‑technical audiences, developing high‑performing technical teams, leading with empathy, curiosity, and a growth mindset, translating emerging technology into measurable institutional value, and operating amid ambiguity and rapid technological change.

Technical Expertise

• Enterprise data architecture and governance
• AI/ML platforms and AI operations
• Cloud‑native infrastructure and platform engineering
• Enterprise systems integration and APIs
• Semantic data models and modern analytics ecosystems
• Intelligent automation and agentic workflows
• Scalable AI deployment patterns
• Cybersecurity, privacy, and responsible AI practices
• Organizational change leadership
• Fostering a positive culture, upholding organizational values, and championing engagement
• Cross‑functional collaboration in decentralized environments

Work Environment

• Activities primarily take place in a standard, climate‑controlled office environment and may involve extended periods of sitting, standing, or moving between office spaces.
• Regular use of a computer (desktop and/or laptop), including a keyboard and mouse.
• Effective communication and proficiency with a variety of technologies are essential for collaboration with the broader team.
• Frequent standing for varying lengths of time and walking moderate distances to perform work.

Employment and EEO Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.

Salary Range: $132,300.00 - $200,000.00. Maximum Pay – Depends on experience: $200,000.00 USD Annual.