Director for Artificial Intelligence

About the Job

The Director for Artificial Intelligence is a key member of the Information Technology leadership team, serving as the University's senior IT leader responsible for advancing enterprise AI offerings. In strong partnership with the Vice Provost for Artificial Intelligence, who provides institution-wide academic and strategic leadership, this role translates the University's AI vision into actionable IT strategy and execution. Reporting to the Vice President for Information Technology and CIO, this role leads the development, delivery, and scaling of AI technology services, platforms, and infrastructure that support the diverse needs of colleges, campuses, and administrative units. The Director partners closely with IT leaders across the system to drive alignment, enable shared capabilities, and accelerate responsible AI adoption at scale. This role focuses on advancing the aggressive pursuit of innovation and enhancing the effectiveness of teaching, research, and administrative functions while balancing the implementation of AI technologies in ways that are secure, reliable, and operationally sustainable.This leader is also responsible for building and maturing AI capabilities across the IT community by fostering a culture of collaboration, experimentation, and continuous learning to ensure the IT community is positioned to adapt and lead in a rapidly evolving AI landscape.

Reports To: Vice President and Chief Information Officer (VP/CIO)

Work Modality: Hybrid; candidates must be located near a University of Minnesota campus, or be open to relocation.

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Leadership & Vision

• Partner with AI Hub leadership to operationalize strategy, translating research, innovation, and academic direction into scalable IT service offerings that align with institutional mission and long‑term goals.
• Translate emerging AI opportunities into actionable roadmaps, integrating academic, research, and administrative priorities.
• Manage strategic investment in AI capabilities across IT, prioritizing scalable platforms, infrastructure, and talent to enable responsible innovation and long-term institutional impact.
• Unify AI related IT service offerings across the University, establishing a cohesive portfolio of platforms, tools, and support models that reduce fragmentation, and provide consistent, scalable access to AI capabilities for colleges, campuses, and administrative units.

Governance, Policy & Ethical Stewardship

• Lead the enterprise technology aspect of the University AI governance framework, ensuring transparency, accountability, and ethical use across the university.
• Oversee the development and implementation of AI-related IT policies, guiding ethical and responsible AI use within the Universitys IT technology portfolio.
• Develop policies, standards, and procedures for AI usage, including privacy, explainability, fairness, and risk categorization.
• Facilitate a collaborative process to align AI adoption with institutional security and compliance requirements, including data protection and responsible use.
• Engage stakeholders to ensure AI initiatives reflect institutional needs.

Innovation, Use Case Development & Capability Building

• Support the University's AI innovation pipeline, including ideation, prioritization, and execution of high‑value AI initiatives.
• Communicate complex AI concepts clearly to audiences ranging from technical experts to non‑technical users.
• Champions a culture of continuous learning by advancing AI education initiatives that build capability, promote responsible use, and accelerate innovation.
• Promote pragmatic and strategic use of AI and an adaptive mindset across the institution.
• Oversee the creation of reusable AI use cases, ensuring scalability, operational readiness, and alignment with university priorities.

Responsible Deployment

• Drive appropriate risk acceptance, articulating risks of non-action.
• Ensure robust monitoring of AI models, including performance dashboards, drift detection, and compliance reporting.
• Prioritize cybersecurity and data privacy in all AI deployments and partner proactively with the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) and University Information Security (UIS) to negotiate and establish a modernized, agile risk tolerance framework that safely accelerates AI adoption.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS Degree plus at least 12 years of generally relevant experience (can be non-AI experience), or master's degree plus 10 years of experience (can be non-AI experience).
• Leadership experience, including strategic planning and operational oversight.
• Strong technical knowledge of artificial intelligence, including machine learning, generative AI, large language models (LLMs), natural language processing, automation, and AI-enabled platforms.
• Demonstrated experience in governance, ethics, fairness, transparency, and explainability.
• Ability to navigate complex organizational structures, build support among key stakeholders, and anticipate challenges by understanding institutional dynamics and decision‑making processes.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, manage conflict, and lead through change.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working within higher education, research institutions, healthcare, government, or similarly complex and distributed environments.
• Demonstrated success leading AI transformation in complex organizations.

About the Department

The Office of Information Technology (OIT) is the Universitys central IT unit and provides enterprise-level technologies and services that are broadly consumed, core to central administrative business operations, and tend to offer substantial economies of scale. We are part of a larger ecosystem of IT professionals who work in academic and support units systemwide. Local or collegiate IT units often offer discipline-specific, niche, and complementary services to the OIT central services.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $200,000 - $250,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the

time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures

that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while

maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and

equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates

will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Required application materials: resume, cover letter

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nations most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.