Senior Director, Enterprise AI Strategy & Governance

Job Summary

Optimum is scaling the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence to drive efficiency, improve employee experience, enhance decision‑making, and strengthen operational resilience. The Principal, Enterprise AI Center of Excellence (CoE) is a senior leadership role responsible for defining how AI is adopted, governed, and scaled safely across Optimum and its subsidiaries.

The AI CoE is embedded within the CISO organization and serves the entire enterprise. This role partners closely with Technology, Security, Legal, Compliance, Data, and Business leaders and influences AI execution.

• Define and evolve the enterprise AI strategy, operating model, and governance aligned to company transformation goals.
• Establish and run the AI CoE forum, including monthly cross‑functional meetings and decision‑making processes.
• Partner with business and technology leaders to identify, assess, and prioritize high‑impact AI use cases—balancing feasibility, value, risk, and ethics.
• Standardize intake, evaluation, and approval workflows.
• Embed responsible AI principles, risk management, privacy, security, and compliance into all AI initiatives.
• Establish enterprise AI guardrails, standards, and review mechanisms.
• Champion change management and enterprise AI fluency programs.
• Drive education and enablement for leadership and teams to accelerate safe adoption.
• Evaluate AI platforms, tools, and vendors; partner with Security and Technology to select best‑in‑class, secure solutions.
• Define and track KPIs/OKRs for AI adoption, product success, risk mitigation, and business value/ROI.
• Support business leaders in communicating outcomes and impact.
• Lead, mentor, and grow a high‑performing, multidisciplinary AI CoE team.
• Remove barriers, align stakeholders, and cultivate a culture of innovation with operational rigor.
• Stay current on AI trends, regulations, and emerging risks; translate insights into actionable guidance for Optimum.

• Bachelor's or Master's in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or related field.
• 10+ years in senior technology leadership (AI/ML, digital transformation, or product/platform leadership).
• Proven experience establishing or scaling a Center of Excellence or enterprise program.
• Deep understanding of modern AI architectures, cloud platforms, and enterprise AI stacks (including generative AI considerations).
• Demonstrated success in change management, adoption, and upskilling across diverse business units.
• Experience integrating risk, security, compliance, and ethical frameworks into AI programs.
• Executive presence with the ability to communicate complex topics to non‑technical audiences and influence at all levels.
• Experience in or alongside Security, Risk, Compliance, Legal, or within regulated industries a plus.
• Track record quantifying and communicating AI ROI and business value.
• Vendor/platform evaluation and selection experience.

Pay is competitive and based on a number of job‑related factors, including skills and experience. The starting pay rate/range at the time of hire for this position in New York is $ – $ per year. For other locations, please inquire with your recruiter. The rates/ranges provided herein are the anticipated pay at the time of hire and do not reflect future job opportunity.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. At this time, we do not provide visa sponsorship for employment.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to recruiting, hiring and promoting qualified people of all backgrounds regardless of gender, race, color, creed, national origin, religion, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.