Director, AI Strategy

Driven. Engaging. Innovative. Do these words motivate you? If so, then we want to talk with you. Academy of Art University offers a rewarding employment experience for those who excel in a dynamic environment and who can consistently deliver high-caliber customer service. We thrive on ingenuity and pursue ideas every day that lead to extraordinary opportunities for tomorrow. Apply here for your next career! ArtU is seeking a Director of AI Strategy to serve as a trusted internal advisor to academic and administrative leadership. This role will lead the development and execution of institution‑wide AI strategies that support creative excellence, student success, workforce readiness, and operational effectiveness. The Director of AI Strategy combines strategic thinking and vision, executive advisory skills, and practical execution, translating emerging AI technologies into responsible, human‑centered solutions aligned with the university’s mission and values. This role report to the Chief of Staff and partners closely with university leadership to align AI initiatives with institutional mission, values, and long-term goals, ensuring innovation enhances student outcomes, faculty enablement, and operational excellence. Responsibilities: Strategic Advisory & Leadership Serve as a trusted advisor to university leadership on AI, emerging technologies, and digital transformation. Translate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable strategies for non-technical stakeholders. Facilitate executive-level discussions to define AI vision, priorities, and enterprise-wide decision-making. AI Assessment & Readiness Lead comprehensive AI capability and readiness assessments across academic and administrative units, including: Evaluation of current-state of employees, processes including workflows across departments, technologies, data, and tools Identification of gaps, risks, and opportunities related to AI adoption, governance, and workforce readiness Synthesis of findings into concise, actionable insights for leadership and stakeholders Strategy & Roadmap Development Develop and maintain AI strategy roadmaps aligned with University objectives, including student success, faculty support, creative innovation, and operational efficiency. Design phased implementation plans that balance innovation, feasibility, risk management, and human impact. Define success metrics and expected outcomes, including adoption, maturity, and capability development. Enablement, Governance & Responsible AI Advise on AI enablement strategies, including governance frameworks, ethical use, accessibility, academic integrity, and responsible AI practices. Support workforce transformation through learning strategies, training programs, and capability building. Evaluate and recommend build vs. buy decisions for AI tools, platforms, and solutions. Engagement & Facilitation Design and lead workshops, executive briefings, and AI use case discovery sessions for diverse audiences, including faculty, administrators, and creative practitioners. Partner with stakeholders to identify high-value, responsible AI use cases across academic, creative, and operational domains. Qualifications & Experience: Required Demonstrated experience in AI strategy, digital transformation, technology consulting, or a related field Proven ability to advise and collaborate with senior leaders and cross‑functional stakeholders Strong conceptual understanding of AI, data, and cloud technologies, with the ability to communicate clearly to non‑technical audiences Experience leading assessments, developing strategic roadmaps, and supporting implementation efforts Excellent facilitation, storytelling, and presentation skills Preferred Experience in higher education, creative industries, or mission‑driven organizations Knowledge of responsible AI, ethics, governance, and workforce transformation Familiarity with both enterprise and creative AI tools and platforms Consulting or internal advisory experience within a complex organization What Success Looks Like in This Role Clear, actionable AI strategies aligned with ArtU’s creative and educational mission Increased institutional readiness and confidence in AI adoption Responsible, human‑centered AI use across academic and administrative functions Strong trust and partnership with leadership, faculty, and staff Benefits: Academy of Art University offers full-time employees health insurance, 401k options, paid vacation based on years of service (15 days' accrual at start), paid holidays, paid sick leave and a commuter benefit program. The Academy also offers full-time employees an opportunity to take one undergraduate course tuition free each semester. Compensation: $135,000 - $165,000 annually Based on experience and location THIS IS A FULLY REMOTE ROLE with travel to Campus in San Francisco, CA as needed Application Deadline: May 29, 2026 Academy of Art University is based solely in San Francisco, California. This job opportunity may be available for remote work from a predesignated location within the contiguous United States. IND123 Academy of Art University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered regardless of age, Aids or HIV positive status, marital status, domestic partnership, medical condition or genetic characteristics, race or national origin, pregnancy, religion, sex, gender identity, gender or sexual orientation, name change, citizenship, physical or mental disability, veteran status or other status protected by federal, state, local or other law. Academy of Art University will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. Equal access to the hiring process, services, and employment is available to all persons. Applicants requiring accommodations to the application and/or interview process should contact the Human Resources Department at View email address on click.appcast.io. Academy of Art University, established in 1929 by Richard S. Stephens, transforms aspiring students into professional artists and designers. For three generations, the Stephens family has been devoted to the development of aspiring artists and has held the fundamental belief that with proper instruction, hard work and dedication, students can learn the skills necessary to become artistic professionals.