Job Description

Global AI Director

Location: Canada, US or UK

Reporting into the Chief Digital Officer, this exciting new role offers a unique opportunity to shape how AtkinsRéalis will leverage and gain value from AI technology, today and in the future.

The successful candidate will deliver against and further evolve the AtkinsRéalis AI strategy, in line with our corporate strategy, and collaborate with global, cross-functional teams and industry leading partners to deliver game-changing solutions that delight our clients and radically improve our operational efficiency.

From ideation to implementation, the Global AI Director will be responsible for selecting, developing and managing new AI initiatives, ensuring they deliver maximum value in a safe and ethical way. Initiatives that harness the power of AI to accelerate outcomes and enhance our collective capability, allowing our people to focus their minds on tackling humanity’s toughest challenges.

Demand for new initiatives will be identified via global “Demand and Deploy” channels and will be ratified and prioritised by the Regional Digital Leads and the Global AI Director. Based in our “Shape” element of the Global Digital Team organisational structure, the Global AI Director will collaborate closely with the Global Portfolio Director for all “Shape: Future Focus” initiatives (this portfolio includes AI, Resiliency, Digital Twin etc), to ensure the whole portfolio is resourced and progressing well. The Global AI Director role will also require close collaboration with the Global Digital Director for “Deliver and Scale”, to take ideas from ideation through Proof of Value and Accuracy, before handing to the “Deliver and Scale” team.

As a senior member of the Global Chief Digital Office (CDO), you will work with professionals around the world to advance AtkinsRéalis’ existing Board Approved AI strategy into action. This will include a clear roadmap, funding, value propositions and business cases, benefit tracking and budget oversight for all AI Proof of Value and Accuracy initiatives.  When an AI Proof of Value and Accuracy pilot is proven, the Global AI Director will work with Regional Digital Leads and the Delivery and Scale team to enable wider adoption across AtkinsRéalis and our customers.

The role will help establish a formal governance process based on our Digital Innovation Pathway 2.0 (DIP2.0), and the Data and AI Governance Committee, to guide priorities and investment decisions and assist with relevant regulatory and ethical considerations.

The role will focus the prioritisation, mobilisation and demonstration of Proof of Value & Accuracy for AI candidate projects that have Regional or Wider Global enterprise scale potential.  It will also focus on developing policies, governance and guiding principles to support AI initiatives at a regional or key

Top 60 client project-level.

Your key responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):

• Leading and overseeing AI initiatives through their full project life cycle, ensuring seamless delivery into business-as-usual.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including regional market and capability leads and data professionals, to identify business and regional client needs and integrate AI solutions.
• Working with Regional Digital Leads to prioritise AI ideas based on potential value, complexity, and cost etc.
• Working with Business Analysts to create value propositions and business cases, managing Chief Digital Officer Seed Fund Investments for AI projects to time and budget.
• Working closely with the Global Data Strategy & Management Director to align Data ecosystems and roadmaps in conjunction with regional and market priorities, to unlock the potential of the AI Proof of Value and Accuracy AI pilots at scale across the business.

• Contributing to refinement of the AtkinsRéalis Digital Innovation Pathway 2.0 model and developing and running AI-focused innovation challenges where appropriate.
• Ensuring Proof of Value and Accuracy pilots are conducted in a timeboxed manner, with clear, data-driven evaluations informing the Deliver and Scale go/ no-go decision.
• Establishing winning relationships with trusted partners to enable rapid adoption and scaling of proven AI technologies and drive core efficiencies.
• Working with AI technologies and partners in an adopt and adapt first model, rather than build and create mindset.
• Collaborating with relevant leaders to establish ways to quantify, measure and track impact of AI initiatives around both Indirect Labor (IDL) costs as well as benefits to project delivery.
• Influence commercial models and contract clauses relevant to AI, in coordination with IP & Commercial related matters via the Deputy Legal Counsel’s team.
• Guiding a global team, setting both business value and technical direction, to achieve well defined AI Portfolio and discreet Project goals.
• Oversight of the design, development, and maintenance of AI systems and applications.
• Setting and report against effective objectives and key results.
• Building close bonds with corporate functions around Data Compliance, the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), and Information Technology Services (ITS), to establish a culture of safeguarding AI.
• Implementing AI best practices and governance and ensuring compliance with industry standards.
• Mentoring senior leaders, global team members and wider stakeholders in AI technologies and methods.
• Communicating complex AI concepts to non-technical stakeholders and influencing decision-making processes at all levels in the organisation.
• Fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning and championing business processes which enable effective and efficient idea management.
• Preparing educational materials for internal teams and clients.
• Evaluate emerging AI trends, identifying which new technologies and methodologies will provide a competitive edge and drive innovation in the industry.
• Working with the CDO, technical practice groups and other “key digital voices”, create, contribute to and sponsor thought leadership that positions AtkinsRéalis as an industry leader in AI and generative AI technologies.
• Provide input to business-case development and support client engagements and pursuits where AI expertise is required.

About you:

• Proficiency in AI technologies, machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing, with extensive knowledge of different AI models and algorithms.
• Excellent communicator who actively listens to client needs and translates business challenges into AI driven solutions with actionable plans, that can be executed at pace by product teams.
• Proven experience leading AI initiatives and managing diverse teams in a complex matrix environment.
• Commercially savvy leader, able to utilise AI technologies to drive meaningful value for the business.
• Self-starter with the ability to work as a positive, energized and adaptable global team member.
• Highly developed written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present complex ideas with clarity and influence senior leaders.
• Extremely strong relationship building and collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated ability to champion and drive ideas/ programs/ solutions forward, even in the face of resistance.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, able to work under pressure and prioritize effectively.
• Flexible with work times (as is reasonable) to align with colleagues in different time zones.
• Flexible to travel globally (as is reasonable) to engage with key clients, senior leaders, digital teams across the world, suppliers and other important AI subject matter decision and influencing groups.
• Experience managing research and development.
• Experience in business-case development.
• Experience working in international teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Degree in Engineering, Science or Information Management.
• Postgraduate qualifications in business and/or data-science.

Meeting your needs: 

When you start with us, you'll enjoy "Total Reward", a package that can be tailored to your lifestyle, career and personal needs. From flexible holidays to life assurance, health & wellbeing benefits, and career planning for the senior stage of your career. 

Making sure you're supported is important to us. So, if you identify as having a disability, tell us ahead of your interview. And let's talk about any adjustments you might need. 

New name, new era. We are AtkinsRéalis.  It will take some time for all our information to update – you can still refer to our fantastic benefits via the link below: 

YourReward at AtkinsRéalis (atkinsrealis.com) 

Training: 

AtkinsRéalis is committed to developing its people both personally and professionally. Our colleagues have the advantage of access to a high ranging training portfolio and development activities designed to help make the best of individual’s abilities and talents. We also actively support staff in achieving corporate membership of relevant institutions. 

More about us: 

AtkinsRéalis is a leading global consultancy with over 100 years of design and engineering expertise. With us, you'll be surrounded by the skills, knowledge and support to help you succeed. Together, we can deliver projects which have a positive, sustainable impact on the world. 

Check out some of our recent, most exciting projects: AtkinsRéalis Projects (atkinsrealis.com) 

Additional Information: 

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance.  If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance. 

We are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop. To help embed inclusion for all, from day one, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee networks to support staff from different backgrounds. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. 

Worker Type

Job Type

At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.