Head of Data & AI Operating Model & Strategy

Burns & McDonnell; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Burns & McDonnell is seeking a Director to own the Enterprise Data & AI strategy and operating model, driving the 1–3 year roadmap and ensuring cohesive execution across business units. You will lead program management, governance, and cross-location teams, delivering measurable value and aligning with enterprise priorities.

You will partner with Finance and senior stakeholders to validate benefits, guide investment, and sustain a high‑trust culture with rigorous execution and continuous

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, computer science, or a related field with at least 15 years of leadership experience across enterprise strategy execution, operating models, portfolio/program management, data/technology transformation, or business operations.
• Experience running complex cross‑functional operations and converting enterprise strategy into roadmaps, portfolios, operating cadences, and measurable execution.
• Experience leading program/portfolio management, business analysis, agile/Scrum, or comparable delivery‑management capabilities.
• Proven ability to hire and develop top talent and to lead teams across multiple locations.
• Strong understanding of Data & AI delivery lifecycles and how business demand, engineering capacity, governance, adoption, and value realization connect.
• Experience establishing enterprise OKRs/KPIs, executive reporting, portfolio health measures, and risk/dependency management.
• Strong executive communication, facilitation, and influence skills in a matrixed environment, with the ability to create clarity from ambiguity and build accountability without unnecessary bureaucracy.
• Strong business and financial acumen, including investment prioritization, workforce/capacity planning, vendor management, and value realization, with a track record of measurable business impact from data.
• Experience in engineering, construction, EPC, professional services, or another federated, project‑centric enterprise preferred.
• Experience establishing or operating enterprise Data & AI strategy, governance, and operating models preferred.
• Experience with AI governance, responsible AI frameworks, enterprise technology governance, or cross‑functional risk/control models preferred.
• Experience partnering with Finance on investment governance and benefits/value validation preferred.
• Experience leading transformation across autonomous business units while preserving local agility and enterprise standards preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own and drive the Enterprise Data & AI strategy and operating model, aligning with business priorities and enabling execution across the organization.
• Lead and evolve the Data & AI portfolio process, including backlog, milestones, risks, and capacity planning.
• Ensure governance through DOC/DEOC and cross-functional collaboration among IT, Security, Legal, Risk, and Finance.
• Hire, develop, and retain top talent across multiple locations with a focus on scalable capabilities.
• Occasionally present to executives, translating complex data initiatives into measurable business value.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Executive communication

Cross-functional leadership

Portfolio management

Data & AI delivery lifecycles

Financial acumen

Influence in matrixed environments

Change management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, computer science, or related field

Job description

Burns & McDonnell is seeking a Director to own the Enterprise Data & AI strategy and operating model, driving the 1–3 year roadmap and ensuring cohesive execution across business units. You will lead program management, governance, and cross-location teams, delivering measurable value and aligning with enterprise priorities.

You will partner with Finance and senior stakeholders to validate benefits, guide investment, and sustain a high‑trust culture with rigorous execution and continuous