Head of AI COE

Company Description

Zayo provides mission-critical bandwidth to the world’s most impactful companies, fueling the innovations that are transforming our society. Zayo’s 141,000-mile network in North America and Europe includes extensive metro connectivity to thousands of buildings and data centers. Zayo’s communications infrastructure solutions include dark fiber, private data networks, wavelengths, Ethernet, and dedicated Internet access. Zayo serves wireless and wireline carriers, media, tech, content, finance, healthcare and other large enterprises.

The Head of AI Center of Excellence (AI CoE) is an executive technology and product leader responsible for shaping and scaling Zayo's enterprise AI strategy, platforms, and delivery portfolio. This role converts AI ambition into secure, governed, production-ready capabilities that improve customer experience, operational efficiency, revenue growth, and employee productivity.

The leader will operate at the intersection of business strategy, product, data, architecture, and delivery. They will build partnerships across Network Operations, Sales, Customer Success, Finance, Field Operations, HR, IT, Security, Data, and external strategic partners to prioritize demand, establish reusable capabilities, and realize measurable business value.
 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the enterprise AI strategy and operating model, evolving the AI CoE from demand visibility and intake to disciplined execution at scale.

• Own the AI portfolio from business case and prioritization through product roadmap, delivery, adoption, and benefits realization.

• Build and scale governed AI-enabled products, platforms, data foundations, and agentic workflows; establish reusable patterns that move solutions beyond pilots and into production.

• Partner with executive leaders and boards to define investment priorities, communicate outcomes and risks, and translate complex technology decisions into business action.

• Lead cross functional teams and strategic delivery partners; set clear accountabilities, delivery standards, and value measures.

• Establish AI product management practices across business domains, including roadmap prioritization, user-centered design, outcome metrics, and lifecycle ownership.

• Ensure all AI solutions meet enterprise standards for security, privacy, data governance, model risk, human-in-the-loop controls, observability, evaluation, audibility, and cost management.

• Drive platform modernization and integration across cloud, data, enterprise applications, and workflow systems to enable scalable AI adoption.

• Identify and resolve duplicate investments, technical debt, and delivery constraints while accelerating time to value.

• Develop high performing product, engineering, architecture, data, and AI talent; foster a culture of responsible innovation and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressive leadership in enterprise technology, product platforms, digital transformation, or AI enabled business transformation.

• Demonstrated experience building and scaling enterprise AI, data, and platform capabilities in complex, regulated, or high availability environments.

• Proven leadership of large, global, cross-functional technology organizations and significant investment portfolios.

• Strong experience with cloud modernization, enterprise architecture, product operating models, strategic partnerships, and portfolio governance.

• Ability to engage credibly with senior executives and translate strategy into measurable execution.

• Deep understanding of responsible AI, data governance, cybersecurity, risk controls, and technology financial management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading post acquisition technology integration, enterprise scale modernization, or transformation from project delivery to product platforms.

• Advanced education or executive training in AI, technology leadership, business, or a related discipline.

• Experience in telecommunications, network operations, or B2B technology services.

Estimated Base Salary Range: $225,000 - $250,000 USD/annualized

The base pay range shown is a guideline and reasonable estimate for this role. It takes into account the wide variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions. Actual compensation offered may vary from the posted range based upon geographic location, work experience, skill level, certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Non- sales roles may be eligible to participate in a discretionary annual incentive plan. Sales roles may be eligible to participate in a sales incentive plan.

Additionally, this position may be eligible for certain benefits, such as health insurance, life insurance, disability retirement plans, paid time off.

The posting will be active for a minimum of 3 days. The active posting will continue to extend by 3 days until the position is filled.

Benefits, Rewards & Wellness

• Excellent Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Retirement 401(k) Savings Plan
• Generous paid time off policy including paid parental leave

Zayo is an equal opportunity employer to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact us.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

As part of the application, hiring, onboarding, and/or employment process, Zayo or its affiliates, partners, and vendors may collect, store, and use biometric identifiers and biometric information (collectively, “Biometric Data”), such as fingerprints, facial geometry scans or other unique biological characteristics. Zayo uses CLEAR1, a third-party identity verification service, to verify applicant identity during the hiring process. CLEAR1 may collect Biometric Data, including facial geometry scans and/or other biometric identifiers, to authenticate your identity. Biometric Data will be retained pursuant to CLEAR1’s policies, which can be found here: https://www.clearme.com/clear1-credential-policy-crp. Zayo will not sell, lease, trade, or otherwise profit from any applicant's or employee's Biometric Data. By proceeding with your application, you acknowledge this disclosure. Prior to any collection of Biometric Data — including through CLEAR — you may be presented with a separate consent form and asked to provide your written authorization in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), the Texas Capture or Use of Biometric Identifier Act (CUBI), and other applicable biometric privacy statutes.