AI Champions Program Lead

ISO New England is the independent system operator responsible for ensuring the safe and reliable flow of electricity in our region and planning for the future of the electric grid. We are at the forefront of New England's ongoing transition to clean energy.

ISO New England is seeking an AI Champions Program Lead to drive enterprise-wide AI transformation. The ideal candidate will help execute AI vision and strategy, help build organizational AI capabilities, and foster a network of AI Champions across business units to accelerate adoption and innovation while maintaining governance and compliance. This role is fundamentally about scaling adoption and novel use case discovery and enablement through people, not just technology.

What we offer you:

• A stable, mission-driven workplace where your impact truly matters

• A highly engaged work environment that values inclusion, collaboration, and employee safety and wellbeing

• Competitive compensation with a base salary + performance bonus

• Robust benefits package, including:

• Enhanced 401(k) and financial planning support

• Tuition reimbursement and professional development

• Wellness programs, including an onsite gym

• Flexible work hours

• Employee Business Networks

• Free coffee at our onsite café

• Hybrid work environment (3 days/week onsite)

• Distance-based relocation assistance available

How you will make an Impact

• Execution of AI Strategic Leadership & Vision
• Collaborate on and help communicate the organizations AI vision, strategy, and business case aligned with ISO New Englands priorities (grid modernization, reliability, operational excellence, and markets efficiency)
• Work with executive leadership to establish clear AI ambitions and translate them into divisional strategies
• Drive operating model changes required for AI adoption across the enterprise
• Building & Facilitating the AI Champions Network
• Establish and formalize a community of practice (CoP) of AI champions drawn from across all business functions
• Define clear roles, responsibilities, and expectations for AI champions (identifying use cases, educating peers, promoting tools, sharing success stories)
• Recruit early adopters and AI enthusiasts who can serve as peer influencers and role models within their teams
• Provide champions with resources, training, and ongoing support to sustain engagement and effectiveness
• Fostering AI Adoption & Culture
• Build and sustain a culture of disciplined innovation by facilitating workshops, hackathons, knowledge-sharing forums, and peer learning forums
• Work with champions to identify, prioritize, and develop AI use cases
• Monitor the champions program continuously, adapting and expanding it as it gains traction across business units
• Governance & Risk Management
• Work with IT Directors to establish AI governance frameworks and policies that balance innovation with risk management, compliance, and responsible AI practices
• Coordinate with AI champions to embed governance policies locally and ensure consistent adherence to enterprise AI principles
• Ensure alignment with regulatory requirements relevant to the energy and utilities industry
• Organizational Capability Building
• Oversee talent upskilling, and development programs to build internal AI expertise
• Collaborate with HR to develop targeted AI literacy initiatives for workforce segments most impacted by AI
• Lead cross-functional initiatives (with IT, data, finance, legal, etc.) to remove barriers to AI adoption
• Collaborate with HR to develop change management program to help adoption of AI at different levels
• Reporting and Metrics for AI Program
• Collaborate with IT and Business Units to design the metrics to measure the progress of AI adoption across different dimensions including business outcomes, applications, teams and employees
• Collaborate with IT Directors, cost center managers, and FinOps Lead to design and develop reports to help budgeting and forecasts related to AI programs

What we are looking for

• Bachelors Degree required, Masters preferred
• 5+ years in enterprise strategy, digital transformation, or IT leadership
• 3+ years building and scaling cross-functional teams or communities of practice
• Demonstrated success driving adoption of new technologies or methodologies at scale
• Proven experience translating technical concepts for business audiences, developing AI use cases, and evangelizing AI benefits
• Strong skills in fostering collaboration across silos, managing resistance, and building coalitions
• Proven ability to establish and sustain communities of practice, activate grassroots advocates, and drive peer-to-peer engagement
• Ability to translate technical concepts for business audiences and evangelize AI benefits
• Track record leading large-scale, cross-functional organizational change initiatives in complex, regulated environments

This employer will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position (ex: H-1B, F-1/CPT/OPT, O-1, E-3, TN, J, etc.).

The expected salary range for this position is $185,000 - $220,000 per year. This role is also eligible for an annual performance bonus, comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental and vision), flexible spending and health savings accounts, a 401(k) plan with generous employer contributions and a student debt benefit, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance, critical illness and hospital indemnity benefits, paid time off, paid leave, a wellness program, an employee assistance program and other great company perks.

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This is a U.S. based role. If the successful candidate resides outside of the U.S., relocation will be required.

Equal Opportunity: We are proud to be an EEO employer. Applicants for employment are considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship, national origin, age, ancestry, marital status, disability (including learning, mental, intellectual, and physical), service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Drug Free Environment: We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.