Job Description: Director of AI Strategy and Innovation 

The Director of AI Strategy and Innovation for the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development provides leadership and support for the development, coordination, and advancement of artificial intelligence initiatives across New Jersey’s 18 community colleges. This position will lead and support statewide efforts related to AI-enabled teaching and learning, workforce and academic programming, professional development, institutional operations, policy development, cross-sector partnerships and grant-funded initiatives. The Director of AI Strategy and Innovation will paly a central role in supporting New Jersey’s community colleges as they prepare students, faculty, institutions, and communities for the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence. The position will help ensure that AI adoption across the sector is innovative, equitable, collaborative, and student-centered.

In the past year, the Council, through its Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development, has launched significant efforts relating to AI, including the state’s first AI apprenticeship program, the AI Ready NJ initiative with support from the NJ AI Hub, and the AI for Impact fellowship program. The Director will be responsible for the implementation of these initiatives and will work closely with Council leadership, stakeholders and college leaders to develop and implement other initiatives that will help ensure that AI adoption across the sector is innovative, equitable, collaborative, and student-centered.

Working collaboratively with college presidents, workforce leaders, chief academic and student affairs officers, faculty, technology professionals, and external partners, the Director will help position New Jersey’s community colleges as national leaders in equitable and responsible AI adoption and innovation.

As a member of the Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development, the position reports to the Council’s Vice President and Chief Workforce Innovation Officer while also collaborating with other Council senior staff members.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Coordination

• Lead the development and implementation of a statewide AI strategy for New Jersey’s community college sector.
• Coordinate AI-related initiatives, projects, and collaborations across the state’s 18 community colleges.
• Monitor emerging trends, technologies, policy developments, and regulatory issues related to artificial intelligence and higher education.
• Advise NJCCC leadership and NJCCC Affinity Group leadership on strategic opportunities and challenges related to AI.

Academic and Workforce Programming

• Support the development of AI-related workforce training opportunities.
• Support the development of academic programs, credentials, and certificates.
• Facilitate intercollegiate collaboration on curriculum development, transfer pathways, and industry-aligned programming.
• Identify opportunities for grant funding and external partnerships to support AI education and workforce initiatives.
• Collaborate with employers, industry associations, four-year colleges and universities, and government agencies to align programming with workforce needs.

Faculty and Professional Development

• Lead statewide professional development initiatives focused on AI literacy, pedagogy, ethics, instructional design, and institutional effectiveness.
• Support resource-sharing networks among faculty and staff.
• Organize conferences, workshops, webinars, and institutes focused on AI in higher education.

Institutional AI Adoption and Innovation

• Support colleges in the responsible and effective use of AI tools for institutional operations, student support, enrollment management, advising, and administrative services.
• Promote best practices related to governance, ethics, accessibility, privacy, academic integrity, and equity in AI implementation.
• Develop model policies, guidance documents, and implementation frameworks for NJ community colleges.

Partnership Development and External Relations

• Serve as NJCCC’s liaison with state agencies, higher education partners, technology companies, employers, and national organizations related to AI initiatives.
• Represent NJCCC at state and national meetings, conferences, and collaborative initiatives.
• Develop strategic partnerships that expand opportunities for students, faculty, and institutions.

Research, Communications, and Resource Development

• Conduct environmental scans and research related to AI adoption and workforce trends.
• Prepare reports, presentations, briefing materials, and recommendations for NJCCC leadership and member institutions.
• Identify and pursue grant opportunities, philanthropic support, and external funding sources.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in higher education, workforce development, educational technology, innovation strategy, or a related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of artificial intelligence applications in education, workforce development, or organizational operations.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and collaborative projects.
• Strong written communication, presentation, facilitation, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders across institutions and sectors.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctorate or other terminal degree.
• Experience within community colleges or higher education systems.
• Experience developing or implementing AI-related academic or institutional initiatives.
• Knowledge of higher education policy, accreditation, and governance.
• Experience with grant development and external partnership management.
• Familiarity with issues related to AI ethics, privacy, accessibility, and equitable implementation.
• This position may require travel throughout New Jersey and occasional national travel for conferences and partnership activities. Hybrid work arrangements are available consistent with NJCCC policies.

About the Council and the Consortium

Governed by the presidents and trustees of the state’s 18 Community Colleges and enshrined in state law, the New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC or Council) supports NJ’s Community Colleges and the more than 255,000 students they serve annually across 49 locations by fostering collaboration and developing solutions that expand access to college, promote equity and student success, and create a skilled workforce to drive economic growth. The Council brings together the state’s Community Colleges to build a world-class, flexible higher education and workforce development system that can respond to the needs of local communities and employers while having statewide reach and impact. The Council promotes innovation and policy changes to help NJ’s Community Colleges in their efforts to achieve academic, social, and economic mobility for all residents. The Council’s New Jersey Community College