The State of Maine is seeking a Director for its AI Center of Excellence to lead the development, design, adoption, and monitoring of the State's Generative AI strategy, ensuring the program is scalable, secure, accessible, and equitable while adhering to rigorous accountability standards statewide.
Requirements
- AI Governance & Compliance: Deep understanding of AI governance models (NIST AI RMF, OECD AI Principles, EU AI Act) and regulatory standards (HIPAA, CJIS, GDPR), with emphasis on secure data and model protection.
- AI Technologies & Architectures: Expertise in AI lifecycle management (MLOps), machine learning, natural language processing, foundation models, and generative and agentic AI frameworks that enable autonomous reasoning, planning, and workflow orchestration.
- Cybersecurity & Risk Management: Familiarity with security frameworks (NIST 800-53, ISO 27001) and techniques to safeguard AI systems against bias, adversarial attacks, and data misuse.
- Business Transformation: Understanding of decision intelligence and AI-driven innovation to optimize government operations, regenerate workflows, and deliver measurable value.
- Technology Trends: Awareness of emerging and their potential to drive data-informed policy and citizen-centered outcomes.
- Strategic Leadership: Define vision and priorities for statewide AI adoption; inspire innovation while ensuring transparency, equity, and accountability.
- Technical Expertise: Assess and integrate generative and agentic AI capabilities into enterprise systems, ensuring scalability, compliance, and measurable ROI.
Responsibilities
- Lead the design, implementation, and governance of Maine's statewide AI strategy and Center of Excellence.
- Develop frameworks for ethical, transparent, and secure adoption of generative and agentic AI applications, including lifecycle guidance for model creation, deployment, and oversight.
- Collaborate with agencies to identify opportunities where AI can enhance public services, improve efficiency, and inform decision-making.
- Partner with the Technical Advisory Committee established by the Governor's Executive Order on AI.
- Define governance structures, policies, and accountability processes for AI adoption.
- Coordinate with security, risk management, and legal teams to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements.
- Build and lead a community of practice to promote collaboration and early adoption of AI best practices.
Other
- A bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or a related technology field is preferred; equivalent work experience may be substituted.
- 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in strategic roles within artificial intelligence, data science, analytics, automation, or related technology fields, with a clear track record of implementing technology strategies and solutions that have driven significant business impact.
- 5+ years in a leadership position managing teams directly related to artificial intelligence, data science, machine learning, automation initiatives or other technology related leadership positions.
- Preference will be given to candidates with a demonstrated understanding of artificial intelligence and current policy initiatives at the Federal and State levels.
- Must pass the required background checks (fingerprinting may be required) as a condition of employment.
