Director, Project Delivery and AI Enablement

The Director, IT Project Delivery and AI Enablement leads the strategic direction, governance, and delivery of technology-enabled projects, enterprise systems, digital services, and AI-enabled capabilities for IT Services. In collaboration with university stakeholders, the position provides strategic leadership and technical expertise to senior project staff, product teams, business subject matter experts, and business owners engaged in planning, implementation, deployment, and adoption of foundational systems, technology environments, and business solutions in support of Royal Roads University's strategic vision.

The Director plays a pivotal role in the success of technology-enabled capital projects through the design and delivery of strategic planning processes, informed by knowledge of best practices, IT trends, solution delivery disciplines, enterprise architecture, cybersecurity, privacy, data governance, and emerging technologies. The role oversees delivery of key technology initiatives and ensures that solutions conform to defined service levels, institutional standards, architectural direction, and long-term sustainability requirements.

The Director provides strategic leadership for the evaluation, governance, implementation, and operationalization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies and AI-enabled services across university projects and enterprise technology initiatives. The position ensures AI solutions are delivered responsibly, securely, ethically, and in alignment with institutional priorities, privacy legislation, cybersecurity requirements, data governance practices, enterprise architecture standards, and Responsible AI principles.

The position is responsible for developing and maintaining strong relationships with multiple internal stakeholder groups and, through these relationships, providing expert consultation on technology and AI-enabled solutions. The Director guides and influences technological decision-making, prioritization, risk assessment, and value realization across projects and services. The position works closely with business subject matter experts and business owners to ensure strategic goals are actioned and delivered upon, and provides the technical and strategic expertise required to inform and influence the direction of business solutions.

The Director analyzes emerging IT, digital, cybersecurity, data, automation, and AI trends and threats to identify potential gains for RRU and to educate, influence, and challenge fundamental and traditional ways of thinking. The position is also responsible for developing and maintaining strong relationships with external vendors, higher education partners, and technology providers to ensure RRU has access to the right services, products, and expertise at the right time; and for managing technology and AI-related contracts, holding vendors accountable for delivery, quality, security, compliance, and deadlines.

Job Requirements

• Master's Degree in a technology related discipline or equivalent experience
• 7+ years leadership in an IT development and operations environment
• 5+ years demonstrated success in leading a highly motivated, engaged team of 10+ team members. Strong understanding of human resource leadership principles, practices, and procedures. Demonstrated experience in transforming teams through process improvement, performance management, realignment and hiring to achieve higher performance levels
• Proven success leading complex, multi-stakeholder development, technology implementation, digital transformation, or enterprise platform projects through implementation and operational transition.
• Strong consulting, project management, product delivery, governance, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Demonstrated strong analytical, critical thinking, problem-solving, prioritization, and decision-making skills.
• Advanced interpersonal skills to engage with peers, customers, vendors, senior management, academic leaders, and administrative leaders to achieve effective partnerships and results.
• Ability to take a broad institutional view, exercise initiative, communicate effectively, interact constructively, and cooperate with others across complex organizational environments.
• Demonstrated leadership in Artificial Intelligence strategy, governance, adoption, and value realization, including the ability to translate emerging AI capabilities into sustainable business outcomes while ensuring responsible, secure, and ethical use across the organization.
• Demonstrated experience leading the strategy, governance, implementation, and adoption of Artificial Intelligence, automation, analytics, or other emerging technology initiatives within a complex organization.
• Strong understanding of Responsible AI principles, privacy legislation, data governance, cybersecurity requirements, procurement considerations, and regulatory considerations associated with AI-enabled services.
• Experience leading organizational change management, stakeholder engagement, user adoption, communications, training, and support activities related to AI technologies and digital transformation initiatives.
• Experience with enterprise AI platforms, generative AI technologies, intelligent automation, machine learning, analytics solutions, digital assistants, or digital productivity technologies.

Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including effective leadership, consulting, facilitation, conflict resolution, negotiation, stakeholder engagement, and team-building skills.
• Comprehensive knowledge of appropriate Project Management, SDLC, Agile, product delivery, service management, and associated delivery artifacts.
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task, lead through complexity, work independently, and work as an effective member of cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and communicate an institutional AI vision, strategy, and roadmap aligned with organizational goals and digital transformation priorities.
• Strong understanding of Artificial Intelligence, generative AI, machine learning, intelligent automation, analytics, enterprise platforms, and emerging technology trends.
• Ability to identify, evaluate, prioritize, and govern AI opportunities that deliver measurable business value, improve operational effectiveness, and enhance stakeholder experiences.
• Knowledge of Responsible AI principles, AI governance frameworks, privacy requirements, data governance standards, cybersecurity controls, vendor risk management, and compliance considerations.
• Ability to assess and manage AI-related risks, including privacy, security, ethical, legal, operational, accessibility, academic integrity, procurement, intellectual property, and reputational considerations.
• Strong executive communication skills, with the ability to translate complex AI concepts, opportunities, risks, and technical considerations into actionable business recommendations.
• Experience leading organizational change management, stakeholder engagement, training, adoption, and sustainment activities for AI-enabled technologies and services.
• Ability to establish governance models, operating procedures, standards, controls, adoption plans, and performance measures for AI-enabled solutions and services.
  

Additional Information This is a regular, full-time position working 37.5 hours per week. This position has been evaluated at ME-C with a salary range of $122,186 (minimum) to $143,748 (midpoint) to $165,310 (maximum) per annum. Employment offers will normally be made between the minimum and midpoint of the range and are determined by knowledge, experience and internal equity. The University is pleased to offer a comprehensive benefit package. Royal Roads University is strongly committed to fostering diversity within our community. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our faculty and staff including, but not limited to, women, visible minorities, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity.