AI Transformation Lead

Novaspect, Inc., an Emerson Local Business Partner and a global leader in process systems and solutions, is currently offering an opportunity for an AI Transformation Lead to join our Technology team in Schaumburg, IL. Reporting to the Vice President of Technology, this strategic and hands-on leader will guide the responsible adoption and enterprise-wide application of artificial intelligence—partnering across the organization to identify high-value opportunities, improve business processes, and move practical AI-enabled solutions from concept through implementation, adoption, and measurable business outcomes. The ideal candidate will combine business judgment and technical fluency with a demonstrated ability to build trust, influence stakeholders, and lead enterprise change. This individual will translate emerging AI capabilities into scalable business solutions, establish effective governance and guardrails, and help move Novaspect from experimentation to repeatable, responsible AI adoption and measurable business value. AI Transformation Lead Essential Duties and Responsibilities AI Strategy and Business Alignment Serve as a strategic advisor to the Vice President of Technology and business leaders on where AI—including generative and agentic AI—creates the greatest value and where it introduces risk Develop and maintain a prioritized AI roadmap aligned with Novaspect’s strategic objectives, operating plans, resource capacity, and technology investments Identify, evaluate, and sequence high-impact use cases based on their potential to improve efficiency, quality, customer experience, employee productivity, decision-making, and other business outcomes, while considering feasibility, organizational readiness, scalability, and risk Monitor the evolving AI landscape and recommend the technologies, skills, resources, partnerships, and capabilities required as Novaspect’s AI transformation program matures AI Solution and Process Delivery Lead and coordinate the design, deployment, and ongoing optimization of AI and automation solutions—including generative AI, agentic AI, intelligent workflows, and enterprise knowledge solutions—that address business challenges and improve core processes Establish a scalable approach for moving AI use cases from concept through design, pilot, production, monitoring, and continuous improvement, with appropriate evaluation, human oversight, and guardrails Evaluate whether business needs are best addressed through process redesign, existing technology, automation, generative AI, agentic AI, or a combination of approaches Assess process, data, knowledge, integration, and organizational readiness, partnering with internal technical resources and external providers to ensure solutions are secure, scalable, supportable, and aligned with enterprise architecture and business requirements Governance, Risk, and Responsible AI Develop and maintain Novaspect’s AI governance policies, standards, and responsible-use guidance, partnering with leadership to keep them current as technologies, risks, regulations, and business needs evolve Design practical, tiered, risk-based governance that enables innovation while defining appropriate human review, approval, accountability, and escalation requirements Establish governance across the full AI lifecycle, including evaluation, approval, deployment, monitoring, modification, revalidation, incident response, and retirement Partner closely with IT Security, Legal, Compliance, Human Resources, and Data Governance to integrate AI-specific risks into existing controls and support responsible AI practices, including fairness, reliability and safety, privacy and security, transparency, accountability, and human oversight Enablement, Adoption, and Change Management Develop and deliver role-based training, guidance, and resources that help employees and managers safely and effectively use AI tools, including Microsoft 365 Copilot and other approved enterprise platforms Lead change management activities that address the people, process, and technology impacts of AI-enabled transformation and support sustained adoption Serve as a visible and approachable guide, coach, and subject-matter resource while building and supporting a network of AI champions, super users, and functional advocates across the organization Gather employee and stakeholder feedback and use it to continuously improve solutions, training, communications, and adoption strategies Value Realization and Continuous Improvement Establish clear business outcomes, baseline measures, benefit assumptions, and success criteria for AI initiatives before implementation Manage the AI initiative portfolio in partnership with business sponsors, ensuring initiatives remain aligned with business scope, strategic priorities, and available resources. Track progress, adoption, costs, capacity created, financial and operational value, and realized business outcomes Conduct post-implementation reviews and recommend whether solutions should be enhanced, expanded, redesigned, or retired Develop reusable standards, solution patterns, playbooks, and evaluation methods that allow successful approaches to scale across Novaspect Stakeholder and Partner Leadership Serve as the primary coordinating leader and visible representative for Novaspect’s enterprise AI transformation efforts, building trusted and transparent relationships across the organization Communicate priorities, progress, risks, decisions, changes, and operational impacts clearly and consistently, translating complex technical concepts into practical business language for nontechnical stakeholders and executive leadership Establish clear ownership, decision rights, resource commitments, and accountability across business sponsors, Technology, IT Security, Legal, Human Resources, Data Governance, and other participating functions Evaluate and oversee technology providers, consultants, and implementation partners supporting AI initiatives, including vendor performance, knowledge transfer, documentation, security compliance, and long-term supportability AI Transformation Lead Required Qualifications Eight or more years of progressive experience in technology, business consulting, digital transformation, automation, enterprise applications, or a related field, including leadership of complex cross-functional initiatives Practical experience evaluating, prototyping, deploying, or overseeing generative and agentic AI solutions, with working knowledge of large language models, grounding and retrieval techniques, solution evaluation, human oversight, and guardrails Demonstrated success translating complex business challenges into prioritized use cases, business cases, technology-enabled solutions, implementation plans, and measurable business outcomes Experience leading initiatives from discovery and process design through implementation, adoption, performance measurement, and continuous improvement Experience applying governance and responsible AI practices to technology initiatives, including risk management, privacy, security, accountability, transparency, and human oversight Demonstrated experience leading change management, communication, training, stakeholder engagement, and adoption activities for new technologies and ways of working Proven ability to influence and collaborate with executive leaders, business stakeholders, technical teams, cross-functional governance partners, and external providers Strong communication, facilitation, analytical, prioritization, and problem-solving skills. AI Transformation Lead Preferred Qualifications Experience in both consulting and an internal business, technology, or operational role Experience in industrial automation, manufacturing, engineering, field service, distribution, professional services, or a related business-to-business environment Experience with enterprise AI and automation platforms, including Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot Studio, Power Platform, Azure AI services, or similar technologies Experience designing or deploying AI assistants, intelligent workflows, enterprise knowledge solutions, automations, or AI agents across multiple functions or in an enterprise environment Experience establishing an enterprise AI governance framework, center of excellence, transformation program, or structured AI operating model Advanced degree in artificial intelligence, business, technology, engineering, or a related discipline, or relevant certification in AI, change management, program management, or a related field AI Transformation Lead Key Attributes Curious, technically fluent, and learning-agile, with the ability to remain current in a rapidly evolving field Approachable and relationship-oriented, with the ability to build trust and serve as a visible guide, coach, and mentor Strategic and pragmatic, balancing innovation and speed with business value, responsible use, operational feasibility, and risk Execution-oriented and composed under pressure, with sound judgment, integrity, attention to detail, and the ability to create structure in ambiguous environments AI Transformation Lead Physical Requirements: Ability to work extended hours on a computer AI Transformation Lead Pay: Base Salary: $130,000 - $160,000 Bonus Potential: 5% The final offer will be based on several factors, including, but not limited to the candidate's depth of experience, skill set, qualifications, and internal pay equity. Hiring at the top end of the range would not be typical, to allow for future meaningful salary growth in the position. AI Transformation Lead Benefits: Recognized with a Top Employee Benefit Plan Award in 2020, below you will find our outstanding total rewards package when you join our team including: Generous paid time off; starting at 15 vacation days, 10 holidays, and 10 days of Paid Sick & Safety Time (PSST) 401K with 6% company match Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Excellent health & wellness benefits Student debt & tuition reimbursement Who We Are: Novaspect, Inc., is an employee-owned company that engineers, sells, and services industrial process controls. Our Core Purpose is to improve our customer’s performance through the innovative application of technology. We are passionate about creating effective processes and building customer relationships. We position ourselves to attract the best talent, and ensure we are delivering local services with proven technologies.