Colorado School of Mines · 4 hours ago
Director of AI Acceleration
Colorado
Full-time
Hybrid
Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
$140K/yr - $175K/yr
5+ years expColorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university focused on solving grand challenges related to Earth, energy, and the environment. They are seeking a Director of AI Acceleration to develop and execute an AI vision that enhances operational efficiency and innovation across the university. The role involves leading an agile team, fostering collaboration with stakeholders, and driving the adoption of AI solutions to position Mines as a leader in AI-driven transformation.
EducationInformation Technology
No H1B
Responsibilities
Envision, develop, and implement an AI strategy collaboratively with the CIO and key stakeholders that aligns with the university’s mission and business, academic, and research priorities
Drive transformative change by identifying key opportunities for AI-powered efficiencies, cost optimization, and service excellence across university operations
Lead the adoption of AI solutions ensuring scalable, secure, and sustainable value delivery
Guide the exploration and integration of emerging AI technologies to enhance business models and advance academic excellence
Establish a culture of innovation by fostering experimentation, learning, and continuous improvement in AI-driven initiatives
Champion the end-to-end lifecycle of AI product development from ideation and prototyping to deployment and iteration
Accelerate the adoption of cloud-based and enterprise AI services, ensuring seamless integration and alignment with business strategy
Adhere to the Mines AI governance policy ensuring transparency, accountability, and ethical use
Ensure data privacy and security best practices are followed in all solutions
Define and track outcome-quality measures and key performance indicators to validate accuracy, minimize hallucinations, and sustain results
Empower teams to translate complex AI technologies and concepts into practical solutions that drive stakeholder engagement and operational success
Inspire and orchestrate collaboration among academic, administrative, and technical stakeholders to ensure broad alignment and buy-in for the AI vision
Chair AI steering committees and advisory groups, proactively seeking input, feedback, and guidance, as well as providing strategic counsel and fostering a community of practice around innovation
Lead the development of comprehensive AI literacy programs, training resources, and change management campaigns to elevate skills and confidence across the institution
Serve as a trusted advisor and visible ambassador for AI, building strong partnerships and promoting a shared vision of future success
Lead, mentor, and develop the AI team to ensure high performance, technical excellence, and strong customer service
Set and communicate expectations related to service quality and customer experience
Recruit and retain top talent; support team growth through training and development
Oversee daily operations and ensure that teams prioritize work effectively to meet institutional goals
Foster collaboration across IT functions to support operational stability and timely project delivery
Forecast staffing and resource needs for ongoing operations and project commitments
Implement best practices for operational processes and promote continuous improvement
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year institution in computer science, data science, engineering, business administration, or a related field; or equivalent advanced training and experience
5+ years of progressive leadership experience in one or more of the following domains: Executive product management or ownership in technology-driven organizations, Strategic implementation of AI, machine learning, or digital transformation initiatives, Business analysis, process optimization, or IT strategy, Data analytics, governance, or enterprise data strategy, Leading technology enablement or transformational programs
Visionary leader with deep expertise in AI/ML concepts, generative AI, advanced prompt engineering, and model evaluation
Exceptional ability to translate innovative and complex technical ideas into actionable, high-impact strategies for multiple audiences
Comprehensive familiarity with cloud and enterprise AI platforms (Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, AWS)
Advanced knowledge of data privacy, compliance, and governance frameworks (FERPA, HIPAA, GDPR)
Outstanding communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills with executive and technical stakeholders
Proven track record of leading organizational transformation and inspiring cross-functional excellence
Preferred
Master's degree in computer science, business, data science, engineering, or a related discipline
Experience leading AI, data-driven, or transformational initiatives in complex, regulated, or higher education environments
Strategic leadership within research, higher education, or public sector organizations
Experience designing and leading AI governance initiatives, model transparency, and risk management frameworks
Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), Project Management Professional (PMP), Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate, Google Cloud Professional Machine Learning Engineer, or Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)
Fluency in advanced AI/ML development, including model evaluation, prompt design, and iterative testing
Expertise in AIOps tools and practices for continuous integration, monitoring, and optimization of AI systems
In-depth knowledge of Microsoft 365 Copilot, Google Gemini, and other enterprise AI platforms
Proficiency in Agile methodologies, strategic product management, and transformational leadership
Benefits
Flexible health and dental care options
Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for entire campus.
Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution
Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)
Free RTD Ecopass
Discount programs through the State of Colorado
Free tickets for Mines Athletics home games
Access to the state of the art Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more)
Equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center
On campus daycare center
Company
Colorado School of Mines
Colorado School of Mines is a public teaching and research university in Golden, Colorado.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$19.92MKey Investors
US Department of EnergyNational Nuclear Security AdministrationNational Institute of Standards and Technology
2024-09-17Grant· $1.5M
2024-03-13Grant· $3M
2023-05-19Grant
Leadership Team
Shannon Tyler
Mines Biomechanics Club Co-Founder and Secretary
Kirsten Volpi
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Recent News
Business Standard India
2025-12-26
Colorado School of Mines
2025-11-12
Company data provided by crunchbase