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Georgia Technology Authority (GTA) aGreat Place to Workcertified!

The Georgia Technology Authority (GTA) is currently seekingaUnit Director, Artificial Intelligence (AI) - in theDigital Services & Solutions/AI Department

The Georgia Technology Authority (GTA) currently manages the delivery of IT infrastructure services to 89 Executive Branch agencies and managed network services to more than 1,200 state and local government entities.IT infrastructure services encompass mainframes, servers, service desk, end user computing, disaster recovery and security.Managed network services include the state's wide and local area networks, voice, cable and wiring, and conferencing services.

Want to know more about ourAWARD-WINNINGAuthority visit:https://gta.georgia.gov/

SUMMARY:

The Unit Director of Artificial Intelligence Operations provides operational leadership for Georgia's statewide artificial intelligence (AI) program, ensuring that AI innovation is delivered responsibly, efficiently, and at scale. This role translates AI strategy and policy into executable operations that enable agencies and vendors to collaboratively explore, pilot, and operationalize AI use cases in a governed environment.

This position oversees day-to-day operations for the Horizons Innovation Lab and statewide AI training and workforce enablement efforts. The Unit Director serves as the connective tissue between agencies, vendors, procurement, and internal partners, creating repeatable pathways for experimentation, learning, and adoption while maintaining alignment with governance, security, and public trust requirements.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Specific responsibilities include, but may not be limited to, the following:

AI Program Operations

• Lead operational planning and execution for Georgia's AI program, ensuring consistency, transparency, and accountability across all initiatives.
• Translate AI strategy, leadership direction, and policy into clear, repeatable operational processes and playbooks.
• Establish and maintain operating rhythms, documentation standards, intake workflows, and performance metrics.
• Coordinate across Digital Services, Security, Legal, Procurement, HR, Communications, and agency partners to ensure smooth execution of AI initiatives.

Horizons Innovation Lab and Use Case Collaboration

• Oversee daily operations of the Horizons Innovation Lab, including use case intake, prioritization, pilot execution, sandbox environments, and proof-of-concept activities.
• Design and manage structured collaboration models that bring agencies and vendors together to explore, test, and refine AI use cases aligned to real government needs.
• Ensure lab activities comply with approved governance, security, risk management, and data protection requirements.
• Maintain disciplined processes for use case evaluation, documentation, decision-making, and closeout.
• Track outcomes, lessons learned, and adoption signals to inform future pilots, procurement decisions, and policy refinement.

Vendor Pool and Procurement Coordination

• Serve as the operational liaison between the Office of Artificial Intelligence and procurement and contracts teams.
• Work with procurement to maintain, refresh, and evolve the AI vendor pool, including onboarding new vendors and sunsetting inactive or non-aligned partners.
• Ensure vendors participating in lab or training activities meet contractual, security, ethical, and compliance requirements.
• Establish clear expectations, engagement models, and operating guidelines for vendor participation in pilots, workshops, and training.
• Support transparent, fair, and repeatable vendor engagement processes that align with public-sector procurement standards.

AI Training and Workforce Enablement Operations

• Own the operational delivery of statewide AI training programs, workshops, and learning pathways.
• Manage logistics, scheduling, vendor coordination, materials, and participant communications for training events.
• Partner with HR, enterprise learning, and agency leadership to operationalize tiered AI training programs and role-based learning pathways.
• Ensure training operations reinforce responsible AI principles, workforce readiness goals, and practical application.
• Track participation, feedback, and outcomes to continuously improve training delivery and relevance.

Team Leadership and Cross0Functional Coordination

• Directly manage Operations Unit, setting priorities, goals, and performance expectations.
• Foster a culture of operational excellence, clarity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Enable strong coordination between technical, policy, legal, and program teams to support end-to-end execution.

Reporting and Continuous Improvement

• Develop dashboards, reports, and briefings that communicate operational status, risks, and outcomes to executive leadership.
• Identify process gaps, operational risks, and scalability challenges and propose pragmatic solutions.
• Continuously refine operational models as AI capabilities, governance requirements, and organizational maturity evolve.

Support

• Perform all other duties as assigned.

CORE Competencies

• Ability to research and solve problems.
• Knowledge of AI technologies, ethical AI practices, policy formulation, and program management principles.
• Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to navigate complex environments and drive cross-functional collaboration.
• Ability to create and deliver product roadmaps to accelerate growth around the AI program.
• Visionary leader with a passion for leveraging technology to improve public services and a commitment to ethical, transparent, and accountable AI deployment.
• Ability in delivering articulate and persuasive written and verbal presentations to individuals or audiences; adept at active listening and adeptly clarifying information; adept at encouraging an open dialogue and cultivating an environment of transparent communication. Proficiency in articulating written information and ideas with clarity, persuasion, and organization.
• Demonstrates strong collaboration and cooperation abilities, effectively working with diverse groups to achieve common goals.

AGENCY SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualifications (Education/Experience):

• Bachelor's degree in public administration, business, technology, operations management, or a related field WITH
  • Five (5) years experience in program operations, technology operations, innovation programs, or enterprise service delivery
  • Experience managing complex, cross-functional initiatives in government or large organizations.
  • Experience managing vendors, contracts, or external partners.

NOTE: An equivalent combination of education and job-specific experience may be substituted on a year-over-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications: (Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate some or all the following skills/experience):

• Experience supporting AI, data, digital transformation, or emerging technology programs.
• Familiarity with public-sector governance, procurement, and compliance environments.
• Experience operating innovation labs, pilot programs, or workforce training initiatives.
• Understanding of responsible AI principles, risk management, and change management.

COMPENSATION/WORKER TYPE/ADDITIONAL DETAILS:

Office Location: 47 Trinity Ave, Atlanta GA (Downtown Atlanta/Fulton County)

Worker Type:Hybrid - (in-office: 2-3 days per week)

Target Hiring Salary:Up to $120,000, based on qualifications and experience

*Current Georgia state government employees will be subject to SPB rule provisions.

EARN MORE THAN A SALARY!In addition to a competitive salary, the Georgia Technology Authority offers a generous benefits package, which includes employee retirement plan; paid holidays annually; vacation and sick leave; health, dental, vision, legal, disability, accidental death and dismemberment, health and childcare spending account; in addition to telework opportunities depending upon position. More information on Benefits:https://team.georgia.gov/my-benefits/

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Selected applicants will be contacted by the hiring agency for next steps in the selection process. Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification.

Georgia Technology Authority does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

Minimum Qualifications:

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

The State of Georgia does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other protected categories in employment or the provision of services.
Qualified applicants may request reasonable accommodation when needed during the application and/or screening process by contacting the appropriate agency Human Resources department.