Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Innovation Leader- ME & Africa

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WSP Middle East are currently looking for an experienced and visionary individual for the role of AI & Innovation Leader, responsible for shaping and executing the digital strategy and driving Artificial Intelligence (AI) and innovation initiatives across the organization.

The AI & Innovation Leader is accountable for driving AI and innovation across the business, liaising with corporate governance, Enterprise IT and the Digital Strategy Group to drive competitive advantage internally, and heighted value externally to our clients.

He / She is expected to Drive, Evangelise and Educate the safe and applied adoption of AI across the Middle East Business, and develop and build an innovation framework and community across the organization, whilst aligning and leveraging global processes.

A key success factor will be to leverage existing partner networks, skills and experiences and have an “outward-in’ focus. He / she will therefore be a born networker, capable of communicating at all levels of the organization, and to external organizations / partners / vendors. He / she must bring a consultancy background with them, but uniquely also have driven and delivered recognizable value to their previous organizations in AI and Innovation, with an eye on potential “unicorns” of the future.

We are therefore looking for a “rainmaker”, that makes things happen and drives the business.

This is not a role for a technical AI specialist role.

• Work with the Head of Digital, Middle East to develop and communicate the Global Digital Strategy and Middle East Digital Strategy, including the development of a Digital Capability Improvement Roadmap aligned with the Middle East Business Strategy.
• Work across the Business Units and BU Digital leads to help identify internal “digital capability” gaps and develop (with the Head of Digital) a long-term model to deliver the Middle East Digital Strategy.
• Collaborate with Key internal stakeholders globally and the Middle East Executive Team to align and prioritise digital opportunities that drive improved customer acquisition, business growth and revenue growth opportunities.
• Take ownership for the identification and evaluation of emerging digital technologies (including AI) and trends that can enhance the company’s digital services offerings and platforms.
• Working with the Head of Digital and Global AI Committee, develop an AI Strategy utilising key components, objectives and deliverables below.
  Work, in support of the Head of Digital, and take ownership for Artificial Intelligence initiatives across the Middle East Organisation.
• Work with the Global AI Committee to develop a practical risk-based AI execution framework that looks to coordinate existing “AI” initiatives, tools and technologies and implement an agile way of working that leverages potential opportunities in a transparent and visible manner.
• Develop and communicate an AI framework and process that offers colleagues the required information to safely investigate potential AI opportunities within their Business Unit.
• Be the Principal AI thought leader for the Middle East Business, continually identifying the latest AI models that can be leveraged within the business and work with BU Digital leads to ensure all BU’s are current with the latest AI thinking.
• Communicate the safe adoption and use of AI to the wider business community, including the benefits and risks, and help drive digital and AI upskilling across the business through regular communications, learning sessions, skills development and 3rd party partner introductions.
• Develop and implement a cross functional AI working group that enables the free flow of ideation and identification of potential AI opportunities that can be used across the business, developing a potential pipeline of AI enablers that can help drive improved client delivery and revenue generation.
• Be the principal AI / Innovation partnership lead, identifying, onboarding, and working with key 3rd party AI companies that can help drive increased AI and innovation across the middle east business that drives improved business capability, competitive advantage with our clients and improved revenue opportunities.
• Help HR drive internal capability development of AI across the business, recommending partners that can help permeate knowledge development and drive a culture of Digital &; AI across the business.
• Using internal AI tools (e.g. co-pilot), work with BU digital leads and respective business units to develop cross-functional use cases and Proof of Concepts (POCs) for operational improvement and capability enhancement.
• Implement POCs (working with BU Digital leads) that delivers demonstrable business benefit via the adoption and application of agreed AI tools.
• Working with Head of Digital and technical teams, recommend technical architecture that enables the safe dissemination of data that can be leveraged by the business units in exploring potential AI opportunities.
• Working with key regional educational establishments, drive events that develop a digital talent pipeline that can deliver insights into “the technologies of tomorrow” and ensures the business is future ready.

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, or related field.
• AI / Innovation leader with 20+ years of digital technology partnership, consulting & implementation experience.
• Ability to write and express ideas clearly in English.
• Proven decision making through impact analysis, critical thinking, and structured problem resolution.
• Be comfortable with ambiguity and prepared to work in an agile, flexible method.
• Thrive on change and engender a collaborative approach.
• Proven experience (20 years) in driving technology partnership across the Consultancy, Digital and AI sector.
• Proven and demonstrable In-depth knowledge of LLM, AI and new technologies and innovation frameworks that deliver tangible business value rapidly and in an agile manner.
• Experience in managing vendors and key implementation partners in the delivery of AI and digital solutions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate business strategy into potential digital solutions and services that drive improved client delivery and revenue enhancement opportunities.

What if we can have work-life balance? What if we can be rewarded in ways that support our individual needs? What if we can be accepted for who we are? Here at WSP – we can!

WSP recognizes that work is only one part of our lives and making time for the other things in our life is important – be that our families, our friends or ourselves. So, if working from home, working part-time or having flexible start and finish time will help with this let us know as part of your application.

As well as rewarding you with competitive pay, WSP offers standard benefits including first class medical cover, generous annual leave, and paid professional subscriptions.

Be you, be happy - we strive to have a friendly and inclusive culture which respects and maximizes the contribution individuals can bring to WSP. We recognize the benefits that people with varying backgrounds and experiences can bring. Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of gender, race, disability, age, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. We will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.

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