Principal AI COE

Job Summary

The Principal, AI Center of Excellence (CoE) is responsible for leading and evolving the AI Center of Excellence for Optimum.
The vision for the Optimum AI COE is to responsibly harness Artificial Intelligence across the enterprise to drive efficiency, improve employee experience, enhance decision-making, and strengthen operational resilience. Thus, enabling our employees to focus on Innovation, Customers and Growth.
•    Our role is to foster the responsible use of AI across the organization
•    While we are not driving AI initiatives directly, we ensure they are implemented securely and safely
•    We support teams by making AI capabilities accessible and by helping surface and validate ideas through a lens of protection – for the company, its employees and contractors.
The AI COE is embedded within the Chief Information Security Office (CISO) organization but serves all of Optimum and its subsidiaries.

Responsibilities

•    Set the vision, strategy, and governance model for the AI Center of Excellence, ensuring alignment with company transformation goals.
•    Plan for and lead monthly cross functional AI COE meetings.
•    Establish relationships with leaders across all business units to support the identification, prioritization, and execution of high-impact AI use cases, balancing feasibility, impact, and ethical considerations.
•    Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure AI product success, adoption, and business value.
•    Drive a culture of responsible AI, embedding risk management, compliance, and ethical frameworks into all AI initiatives.
•    Champion change management and upskilling, partnering with business leaders to promote AI fluency and adoption.
•    Collaborate with internal and external partners to evaluate AI platforms, tools, and vendors, ensuring best-in-class solutions.
•    Support business leaders in capturing and communicating ROI from AI investments.
•    Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory developments to inform AI strategy.
•    Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of AI professionals, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
•    Other duties as assigned.
Leadership Responsibilities:
•    Provide direction, guidance, and support to the AI CoE team. Set clear expectations, delegate tasks, and ensure effective communication.
•    Evaluate team performance, provide feedback, and conduct performance reviews. Identify areas for development and create growth plans.
•    Remove barriers for the team, ensuring access to tools, resources, and context needed for execution.
•    Actively coach and develop individual team members, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment.
•    Make decisions that balance strategic priorities and operational realities, contributing to the overall success of the organization.
•    Cultivate relationships with clients, partners, and other departments to facilitate collaboration and achieve common goals.
•    Recruit, interview, hire, and train new team members as needed.

Qualifications

Education & Experience:
•    Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or related field
•    10+ years of experience in technology leadership roles, with a focus on AI/ML, digital transformation, or product management
•    Experience in formation and leadership of COE functions with a focus on technology programs
•    Experience managing cross-functional teams and complex portfolios in fast-paced, high-growth environments
•    Deep understanding of modern AI/ML architectures, cloud platforms, and AI technology stacks
•    Demonstrated ability to drive change management, adoption, and upskilling across diverse business units
•    Experience with risk management, compliance, security and ethical frameworks in AI
•    Strong executive presence and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels
Skills & Abilities:
•    Strategic, innovative, and creative thinker with strong analytical skills
•    Ability to balance vision with hands-on execution and operational rigor
•    Strong collaboration, facilitation, and interpersonal skills to engage stakeholders and drive alignment
•    Ability to create and present complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences