Senior Director of AI Strategy and Innovation, Fuqua School of Business

Position Summary

The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University seeks an experienced and forward-looking leader to serve as Senior Director of AI Strategy and Innovation (Analyst, IT, Sr., Band

D). Reporting to the Associate Dean for Information Technology at Fuqua, with a dotted‑line relationship to the Senior Associate Dean for Innovation, the Senior Director will lead the development, evaluation, and implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives across the school.

This role operates at the intersection of strategy, technology, and operations, translating emerging AI opportunities into scalable, secure, and high‑impact solutions aligned with Fuqua’s academic and administrative priorities.

• Identify and evaluate AI‑driven opportunities across Fuqua academic programs, research activities, and administrative functions.
• Lead proof‑of‑concept development and pilot initiatives for AI and automation use cases.
• Develop business cases, implementation plans, and success metrics aligned with Fuqua’s strategic priorities.
• Monitor emerging AI trends and advise Fuqua leadership on implications for management education and operations.
• Serve as a strategic bridge between Fuqua’s Office of Innovation and Fuqua IT.

• Design and manage processes for evaluating and managing AI projects.
• Develop and oversee formal project plans, including scope, timelines, milestones, risks, and resource needs.
• Ensure appropriate development, testing, deployment, and post‑implementation evaluation for AI initiatives.
• Provide regular project updates to Fuqua leadership and key stakeholders.
• Manage project budgets and recommend investments in software and hardware.

Partner with IT leadership to ensure solutions align with enterprise architecture, data governance, cybersecurity, and compliance standards, including the protection of sensitive and confidential data.

• Support stakeholder engagement, change management, and adoption of AI‑enabled solutions.
• Support the development and adoption of AI tools by contributing to internal education efforts, including consultation, documentation, and train‑the‑trainer engagements.
• Collaborate effectively with stakeholders translating academic and administrative needs into actionable plans.

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, including computer science, information systems, software development, business or project management. Advanced degree in business, technology or related field preferred.

• At least four years of professional experience leading complex projects.
• Significant experience in AI strategy, digital innovation, or technology‑enabled transformation.
• Demonstrated ability to move from concept to execution in complex organizational environments.
• Strong cross‑functional leadership and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Familiarity with data governance, responsible AI principles, and enterprise technology environments.
• Experience in higher education or similarly complex institutions preferred.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.