Director of Programs

The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative seeks a highly motivated and experienced Director of Programs to support the development and implementation of the newly established Massachusetts Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hub.

This role is ideal for an ambitious professional who thrives in complex, multi-stakeholder environments. You will serve in a pivotal role implementing programs to support, grow and strengthen engagement in the Massachusetts artificial intelligence ecosystem, focused on developing capacity and talent for technology development and adoption across the Commonwealth. Your ability to build consensus and collaborate effectively with key stakeholders, as well as your ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of constituencies, will be paramount to the success of this effort.

As part of the commitment of state government to make Massachusetts a national leader in artificial intelligence innovation, the Massachusetts AI Hub is being established at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech). This pioneering initiative will drive cutting-edge collaboration between government, industry, startups, and academia, pursue solutions to the world’s most critical challenges, and unlock economic opportunities for businesses and residents across the state. The AI Hub has a specific focus on preparing the state’s workforce for the emerging opportunities in AI with an intent to enable all citizens to benefit from the inevitable changes that AI will introduce into society.

The framework for the Massachusetts AI Hub, informed by recommendations from the report of the Governor’s AI Strategic Task Force, calls for the establishment of ethical and equitable AI as a bedrock principle of the Massachusetts AI Hub. The full report is available here.

Role & Responsibilities

The Director of Programs will work in partnership with the AI Hub Director, MassTech leadership and staff across MassTech divisions, and key stakeholders on the implementation of an impactful Massachusetts AI Hub that achieves the recommendations of the Governor’s Strategic Task Force. Further, the Director of Programs will work collaboratively to advance and implement the vision, plans, and policies that guide the AI Hub, consistent with the leadership provided by the Governor of the Commonwealth and by the Secretary of Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) and the Secretary of Executive Office of Technology Safety and Security (EOTSS).

Partnerships are of the upmost importance in the role; as such, the Director of Programs will need to advance existing and establish new relationships with research, priority industry sectors, education and workforce development, state and federal agencies and the academic and nonprofit organizations that will help to establish the AI Hub’s reputation as a leading resource to support AI ecosystem growth and development in the Commonwealth.

High Priority Skills and Experience

Strategy and Vision

o An experienced leader adept at collaborating across industry, academia, and government to convene and learn from key stakeholders to understand their needs and to align programming supporting those needs with those of job seekers, training providers and educators.

o Passion for service and recognition of the once-in-a-generation opportunity to create lasting impact for MA and the Northeast in artificial intelligence.

o Understanding the complexities of developing AI technologies, ethical use and adoption of AI and programs and best practices in talent and workforce development.

o Ability to convene, with credibility, integrity and confidence, public conversations around incorporating AI in education and the workforce.

o Serve as a thought leader and advocate for AI ecosystem development and engagement.

Knowledge and Experience

o Current knowledge of trends in the artificial intelligence ecosystem.

o Understanding current business and technology needs.

o Understanding of impacts on current labor market trends, particularly the impact on occupations outside of technology centered sectors.

o Familiarity with programs and services to support an AI workforce and programs to support awareness and responsible utilization of AI in society.

o Familiarity with programmatic designation processes, existing talent and industry pathway initiatives and credentialling resources.

o Awareness of ecosystem engagement centered sector development.

Management and Collaboration

o Work in partnership with Mass Tech Collaborative staff, including members of the Innovation Institute cluster development team and other internal teams across MassTech

o Lead a Mass AI Hub Talent Working Group.

o Understand and work within structured state and federal government guidelines.

o Create and deliver relevant conceptual or technical presentations to large stakeholder groups, and build relationships with partners, members and potential new members to drive development and success of the AI Hub.

o Develop a roster of programs and partners to strengthen ecosystem engagement and relationship building across the sector.

o Elevate applied AI related careers and assist in the promotion of these careers to student groups across the K-12 continuum.

o Outreach to diverse stakeholder to foster strategic partnerships to create positive impact.

o Organize and run regional communities of practices between industry and academic partners to promote best practices and industry engagement.

o Collaborate with state workforce and education systems to effectively coordinate talent development programs.

o Provide professional development support around project based learning to support industry alignment.

Team Engagement

o The Director of Programs will support the achievement of excellence through collaboration, trust, and teamwork, focusing on organizational success of the Massachusetts artificial intelligence sector and the full range of Hub constituents, rather than individual success or that of an affiliated entity.

o Ability to think and act creatively to develop programs, collaborative partnerships and alliances, and member value.

o Willing to work as an employee of the AI Hub at MassTech without affiliation with any of its members/contributors.

Personal Characteristics:

o Honesty & Integrity.

o Brings a positive, enthusiastic, can-do attitude.

o Excellent writing and presentation skills.

o A good listener who is not ego driven.

o Able to relate well to a broad base of stakeholders across industry, academia, and government in an open constructive manner that inspires collaboration and engenders mutual trust.

Requirements

o 10+ years of professional industry and academic experience in research, development, and or program management. A combination of working in academia, nonprofit institutions, and industry is preferred.

o Demonstrated ability to work in a mission-oriented organization.

o Proficiency in Microsoft Office required and familiarity with Microsoft 365 collaboration tools such as SharePoint and Teams

o Travel within the state is required (often not accessible by public transportation); occasional travel out of state is anticipated. 

** This position requires candidates to be able to work at our Westborough, Massachusetts office at least two days per week. This is not a fully remote position. **

Benefits

MassTech offers a hybrid work schedule and a competitive total rewards package.