AI Adoption Program Manager

Role Overview

AI Adoption Program Manager at Zayed University, based in the United Arab Emirates. The Strategy and Future Department is seeking a leader to drive the day-to-day implementation of the University's Agentic AI Framework, serve as formal liaison with the UAE Government's Agentic AI Project national PMO, and coordinate all stakeholders across delivery phases.

Role Purpose

Lead the implementation of Zayed University's Agentic AI Framework to meet national AI transformation targets, scale AI adoption responsibly across academic and operational functions, and deliver measurable institutional value aligned with ZU's strategic objectives and the UAE AI Strategy 2031.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Programme Governance

• Translate the approved AI Framework into a detailed, sequenced delivery plan and governance action plan aligned to UAE Government Agentic AI Project timeline and reporting requirements.
• Act as ZU's dedicated point of contact and formal liaison with the National PMO, ensuring timely submission of action plans, wave reports and performance data.
• Report progress, risks and resourcing needs to the AI Strategic Committee and Zayed University Agentic AI Taskforce, escalating matters of institutional significance.
• Consolidate budget and resourcing requirements for the AI programme, including vendor and implementation partner costs, for review and approval.
• Identify risks, dependencies and operational roadblocks across the AI programme and recommend mitigation strategies to protect delivery timelines.

Operational Delivery

• Coordinate the RFP process and onboarding of the AI Implementation Partner/Vendor with the Strategy & Future and Digital Transformation Departments and manage the vendor relationship across all delivery phases.
• Coordinate with the AI and Data Technologies Workstream and IT/Digital Transformation on technology sourcing, integration architecture, data readiness and security requirements.
• Support the formalisation of AI governance including Committee Terms of Reference, decision rights, acceptable-use policy, assessment policy and risk-review/escalation processes.
• Coordinate the design and rollout of role-based AI literacy and capability-building programmes for faculty, staff and students, incorporating FAHR training requirements.
• Establish and support the AI Champions Network to cascade knowledge and sustain adoption across colleges and business units.
• Track and report programme KPIs, adoption metrics, training completion rates and use-case outcomes, feeding lessons learned into successive waves.
• Manage incident reporting and escalation for live AI use cases in line with approved national procedures.
• Prepare briefing materials, decision papers and progress reports for university leadership, the Board of Trustees and national stakeholders.
• Perform ad-hoc activities related to the AI programme as requested by the Direct Supervisor.

Coordination & People

• Coordinate day-to-day activities of vendors, AI Workstream domain leads and coordinators.
• Provide guidance and direction to AI Champions ensuring alignment with programme objectives and timelines.
• Identify capability and resourcing gaps within the AI programme team and liaise with HR/Strategy & Future leadership to address them.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master's degree with a minimum of 10 years of experience and at least 6 years in a managerial position.
• Prior experience in higher education, government or a regulated public-sector entity is preferred.
• Certification in Programme/Project Management (e.g. PMP, MSP, PRINCE2) and/or AI-related certification is preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Written and spoken English and Arabic language is a must.

Additional Information

The University's benefits package includes competitive salaries free of tax in the U.A.E., cash housing, annual vacation airline tickets for the employee and immediate family, educational subsidies for children and healthcare provided to the employee and sponsored family members.

To apply, complete the online application form and attach a cover letter, current CV, and three professional references' names and contact details.

For further inquiries, contact Recruitment@zu.ac.ae