OCHE Director
University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
Typical office hours are 8am – 5pm, Monday – Friday. Hybrid position – 3 days in office. This is a 3 – 5 year position with the possibility of long‑term employment, subject to ongoing funding available through the Utah legislature.
Job Summary The Utah System of Higher Education’s Talent Ready Utah seeks a visionary, collaborative, and future‑focused leader to serve as the Director of AI Integration. This newly created role will be instrumental in positioning Utah as a national model for AI‑driven education and workforce readiness. The Director will architect and lead a statewide effort to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into teaching, learning, and incumbent workforce training, ensuring that Utah prepares both AI users and AI builders to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy. Reporting directly to the Associate Commissioner of Talent Ready Utah, this role will bridge higher education, government, and industry to accelerate AI adoption, strengthen Utah’s talent pipeline, and maintain the state’s competitive edge in attracting top talent and industries.
Responsibilities Strategy & Focus Areas
Develop and execute a statewide AI integration strategy that advances workforce readiness through higher education, incumbent worker upskilling, and an AI leadership strategy.
Work closely with industry, higher education, and Custom Fit departments to create and deliver AI User, AI Builder, and AI Leadership credentials and AI Bootcamps to accelerate incumbent workforce upskilling.
Establish statewide performance indicators, metrics, and benchmarks to measure the impact of AI‑related initiatives.
Collaborate with USBE to develop an AI CTE Pathway, Explorer Courses, & Teacher Endorsements.
Work with campus experts to create and expand certificates, apprenticeships, & degrees aligned to regional demand.
Partner with the Nucleus Institute to commercialize AI technologies & advance high‑impact student research, projects, and spin‑out organizations.
Partner with institutions to expedite AI integration into curricula to educate students on how to use AI relative to their field of study.
Partner with State Agencies to upskill public sector employees, enabling government agencies to modernize through AI applications while maintaining ethical safeguards.
Collaborate on Utah Board of Higher Education AI Resolution Task Force.
Industry & Workforce Alignment
Develop and execute a statewide AI incumbent workforce strategy that advances workforce readiness, educational innovation, and industry competitiveness.
Map AI‑related competencies with the Governor’s targeted industry clusters (e.g., advanced manufacturing, life sciences, financial services, software/IT, aerospace, and defense).
Facilitate employer‑driven competencies to create new credentialing and training models with industry partners.
Anticipate emerging labor market shifts and create strategies to prepare Utah’s workforce for roles that will be shaped by AI adoption.
Engage employers in designing AI‑ready apprenticeships, internships, co‑ops, and upskilling programs.
Promote entrepreneurship and workforce development through AI innovation challenges, hackathons, and career accelerators in partnership with the Nucleus Institute.
Education Integration
Support colleges and universities in integrating AI literacy across disciplines (e.g., health sciences, business, education, humanities).
Build communities of practice, innovation networks, and partner with AI centers to foster shared best practices across the system.
Partner with leaders from the Nucleus Institute to drive student commercialization and innovations centered on AI.
Lead the scaling of AI‑focused degree pathways, stackable credentials, certificates, and micro credentials by leveraging Talent Ready Utah initiatives.
Ensure programs are accessible to rural and urban learners, first‑generation students, and underrepresented communities.
Work closely with USHE institutions to cross‑collaborate, share best practices, and create system‑wide AI credentials for AI Users, AI Builders, and AI Leaders, and AI Bootcamps to accelerate incumbent workforce upskilling.
Leadership & Advocacy
Represent Talent Ready Utah at regional and national forums on AI and workforce development.
Act as a spokesperson on AI workforce strategies, promoting trust, ethics, and responsible adoption of AI in education and industry.
Create a statewide communication strategy to demystify AI for educators, policymakers, employers, and the public.
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree in education, computer science, public policy, business, data science, or a related field.
Minimum 5–7 years of leadership experience in higher education or the private sector, relative to economic and workforce development (One year of education can be substituted for one year of related work experience and vice versa).
Skills
Demonstrated understanding of AI technologies and their transformative impact on education, business, and society.
Proven record of leading cross‑sector initiatives with measurable outcomes.
Strong curriculum design or workforce program development expertise.
Excellent communication, partnership‑building, and strategic planning skills.
Knowledge of change management frameworks for system‑wide adoption of emerging technologies.
Preferences
8‑10 years of leadership experience in higher education or the private sector, relative to economic and workforce development strongly preferred.
Experience working with higher education systems, state government, or national workforce organizations.
Knowledge of Utah’s economic development strategy and targeted industry clusters.
Skills in evaluating emerging technology programs, defining benchmarks, and scaling best practices.
Ability to anticipate future skill demands and advise on policy changes to keep Utah at the forefront of innovation.
Additional Information – Equal Employment Opportunity Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy‑related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the University of Utah Non‑Discrimination page.
Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
This position may require a successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
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Job Summary The Utah System of Higher Education’s Talent Ready Utah seeks a visionary, collaborative, and future‑focused leader to serve as the Director of AI Integration. This newly created role will be instrumental in positioning Utah as a national model for AI‑driven education and workforce readiness. The Director will architect and lead a statewide effort to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into teaching, learning, and incumbent workforce training, ensuring that Utah prepares both AI users and AI builders to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy. Reporting directly to the Associate Commissioner of Talent Ready Utah, this role will bridge higher education, government, and industry to accelerate AI adoption, strengthen Utah’s talent pipeline, and maintain the state’s competitive edge in attracting top talent and industries.
Responsibilities Strategy & Focus Areas
Develop and execute a statewide AI integration strategy that advances workforce readiness through higher education, incumbent worker upskilling, and an AI leadership strategy.
Work closely with industry, higher education, and Custom Fit departments to create and deliver AI User, AI Builder, and AI Leadership credentials and AI Bootcamps to accelerate incumbent workforce upskilling.
Establish statewide performance indicators, metrics, and benchmarks to measure the impact of AI‑related initiatives.
Collaborate with USBE to develop an AI CTE Pathway, Explorer Courses, & Teacher Endorsements.
Work with campus experts to create and expand certificates, apprenticeships, & degrees aligned to regional demand.
Partner with the Nucleus Institute to commercialize AI technologies & advance high‑impact student research, projects, and spin‑out organizations.
Partner with institutions to expedite AI integration into curricula to educate students on how to use AI relative to their field of study.
Partner with State Agencies to upskill public sector employees, enabling government agencies to modernize through AI applications while maintaining ethical safeguards.
Collaborate on Utah Board of Higher Education AI Resolution Task Force.
Industry & Workforce Alignment
Develop and execute a statewide AI incumbent workforce strategy that advances workforce readiness, educational innovation, and industry competitiveness.
Map AI‑related competencies with the Governor’s targeted industry clusters (e.g., advanced manufacturing, life sciences, financial services, software/IT, aerospace, and defense).
Facilitate employer‑driven competencies to create new credentialing and training models with industry partners.
Anticipate emerging labor market shifts and create strategies to prepare Utah’s workforce for roles that will be shaped by AI adoption.
Engage employers in designing AI‑ready apprenticeships, internships, co‑ops, and upskilling programs.
Promote entrepreneurship and workforce development through AI innovation challenges, hackathons, and career accelerators in partnership with the Nucleus Institute.
Education Integration
Support colleges and universities in integrating AI literacy across disciplines (e.g., health sciences, business, education, humanities).
Build communities of practice, innovation networks, and partner with AI centers to foster shared best practices across the system.
Partner with leaders from the Nucleus Institute to drive student commercialization and innovations centered on AI.
Lead the scaling of AI‑focused degree pathways, stackable credentials, certificates, and micro credentials by leveraging Talent Ready Utah initiatives.
Ensure programs are accessible to rural and urban learners, first‑generation students, and underrepresented communities.
Work closely with USHE institutions to cross‑collaborate, share best practices, and create system‑wide AI credentials for AI Users, AI Builders, and AI Leaders, and AI Bootcamps to accelerate incumbent workforce upskilling.
Leadership & Advocacy
Represent Talent Ready Utah at regional and national forums on AI and workforce development.
Act as a spokesperson on AI workforce strategies, promoting trust, ethics, and responsible adoption of AI in education and industry.
Create a statewide communication strategy to demystify AI for educators, policymakers, employers, and the public.
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree in education, computer science, public policy, business, data science, or a related field.
Minimum 5–7 years of leadership experience in higher education or the private sector, relative to economic and workforce development (One year of education can be substituted for one year of related work experience and vice versa).
Skills
Demonstrated understanding of AI technologies and their transformative impact on education, business, and society.
Proven record of leading cross‑sector initiatives with measurable outcomes.
Strong curriculum design or workforce program development expertise.
Excellent communication, partnership‑building, and strategic planning skills.
Knowledge of change management frameworks for system‑wide adoption of emerging technologies.
Preferences
8‑10 years of leadership experience in higher education or the private sector, relative to economic and workforce development strongly preferred.
Experience working with higher education systems, state government, or national workforce organizations.
Knowledge of Utah’s economic development strategy and targeted industry clusters.
Skills in evaluating emerging technology programs, defining benchmarks, and scaling best practices.
Ability to anticipate future skill demands and advise on policy changes to keep Utah at the forefront of innovation.
Additional Information – Equal Employment Opportunity Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy‑related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the University of Utah Non‑Discrimination page.
Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
This position may require a successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
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