Lead AI Strategist

Placements24; Midrand; On-site; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a visionary Lead AI Strategist to spearhead the development and implementation of our AI strategy across the organization in Midrand, Gauteng. You will identify opportunities, define strategic roadmaps, and guide investments in AI technologies and talent to drive business value.

Reporting to senior leadership, you will build a cross-functional team, establish governance and ROI metrics, and foster AI literacy to embed data-driven decision making across units.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science or Business.
• 10+ years of experience in technology strategy, innovation, or a leadership role within AI/ML.
• Proven track record of developing and executing successful technology strategies, particularly in AI.
• Deep understanding of AI/ML capabilities, applications, and limitations across industries.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine the comprehensive AI strategy for the organization, encompassing technology, talent, data, and governance.
• Identify and prioritize high-impact AI use cases across business functions.
• Create and manage the AI roadmap, aligning with strategy and resource allocation.
• Evaluate emerging AI technologies and trends for value and applicability.
• Collaborate with business leaders to foster AI adoption and drive innovation.
• Establish frameworks for measuring ROI and impact of AI initiatives.
• Oversee AI governance and ethical guidelines implementation.
• Build and lead a cross-functional team executing the AI strategy.
• Advise senior management on AI opportunities, risks, and best practices.
• Foster AI literacy and data-driven decision-making across the organization.

Skills

AI strategy

Strategic planning

Leadership

Executive communication

Stakeholder management

Cloud computing

Data governance

Team leadership

Education

Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science or Business

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a visionary Lead AI Strategist to spearhead the development and implementation of our artificial intelligence strategy across the organization. This executive-level role involves identifying key opportunities for AI adoption, defining strategic roadmaps, and guiding investments in AI technologies and talent. You will work closely with senior leadership, business units, and technology teams to ensure AI initiatives align with and drive overall business objectives. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of AI's potential, a strong strategic mindset, and proven experience in driving large-scale technological transformations. This is a significant opportunity to shape the future of AI within our client's operations in Midrand, Gauteng, ZA .

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and refine the comprehensive AI strategy for the organization, encompassing technology, talent, data, and governance.
• Identify and prioritize high-impact AI use cases across various business functions.
• Create and manage the AI roadmap, ensuring alignment with corporate strategy and resource allocation.
• Evaluate emerging AI technologies and trends, assessing their potential value and applicability.
• Collaborate with business leaders to foster AI adoption and drive innovation.
• Establish frameworks for measuring the ROI and impact of AI initiatives.
• Oversee the development and implementation of AI governance and ethical guidelines.
• Build and lead a cross-functional team responsible for executing the AI strategy.
• Advise senior management on AI-related opportunities, risks, and best practices.
• Foster a culture of AI literacy and data-driven decision-making throughout the organization.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in technology strategy, innovation, or a leadership role within the AI/ML space.
• Proven track record of developing and executing successful technology strategies, particularly in AI.
• Deep understanding of AI/ML capabilities, applications, and limitations across various industries.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong leadership and team-building capabilities.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior executives.
• Experience in managing complex projects and driving organizational change.
• Familiarity with cloud computing, big data, and data governance principles.
• Business acumen and the ability to translate technical capabilities into business value.

Benefits

• Our client offers an executive-level compensation package, including a highly competitive salary and bonus structure, comprehensive benefits, significant opportunities for professional growth and impact, and the chance to lead transformative AI initiatives.
• Join our client and define the strategic direction of AI in Midrand, Gauteng, ZA .