How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Job Summary
CAEN at the University of Michigan's College of Engineering is seeking a creative and energetic Generative AI Lead to join our team committed to enhancing education and research. In this position, you will report to the Director of Web Services and will be instrumental in driving AI projects throughout the college.
Who We Are
CAEN, the University of Michigan's Engineering IT Department, is seeking a dedicated professional to lead our Generative AI (GenAI) initiatives at the College of Engineering. We are an inclusive team committed to leveraging technology to enhance the experiences of faculty, staff, and students.
If you are passionate about cutting-edge technology and enjoy collaborating with faculty and staff, we invite you to apply for our Generative AI Lead position. In this pivotal role, you will help the college integrate generative AI into daily operations, provide training, and coordinate projects utilizing this technology. This highly collaborative role involves engaging with various individuals across the University.
Our team includes members from diverse backgrounds with varying degrees of technical expertise. Your contributions will be vital in fostering a productive, supportive, and inclusive environment where everyone can drive positive change.
At CAEN, we prioritize professional growth. We provide each team member with an annual professional development budget and access to CAEN's organizational development funds.
We also offer flexible work arrangements! This position can be a hybrid role with 2-3 days of remote work per week, tailored to your preferences and job requirements.
Michigan Engineers are world-class educators, researchers, students, and staff who strive to build a people-first future. As part of a top national public research institution, Michigan Engineering's mission is to provide scientific and technological leadership to the people of the world, develop intellectually curious and socially conscious minds, create collaborative solutions to societal problems, and promote an inclusive and innovative community of service for the common good.
Why Work at Michigan?
Being part of something greater, of serving a larger mission of discovery and care - that's the heart of what drives people to work at Michigan. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. It's adding a purpose to your profession. Work at Michigan and become a victor for the greater good.
Why Work at Michigan?
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
- Generous time off
- A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
- Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability coverage
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
- Maternity and Parental Leave
Responsibilities*
You might:
- Collaborate with others on campus to stay aware of what is happening with GenAI on campus and beyond.
- Provide and develop training related to GenAI for all college audiences.
- Lead a group of developers to design, develop, and deploy applications and workflows that leverage Gen AI to improve business processes.
- Speak at various meetings, luncheons, or other forums on how to use AI, create prompts, and understand what is upcoming in GenAI.
- Network with faculty, staff, and students involved in GenAI research or projects.
- Facilitate and lead committees to create guidelines and policies related to GenAI usage within the college.
- Draft, review, and publish GenAI guidance documents and best practice manuals.
- Use forums to gather feedback and understand concerns or interests related to AI within the college.
- Encourage a culture of experimentation and innovation to stay at the forefront of the rapidly evolving GenAI landscape.
Consultation and Guidance:
- Engage with individuals at the college to understand their AI-related needs and challenges.
- Offer recommendations to support their growth in Generative AI (GenAI) and provide high-level consultation to faculty.
- Identify specific requirements and use this information to inform necessary AI-related policy recommendations.
- Collaborate with college-level committees to develop guidance for AI-related work.
Collaboration and Education:
- Partner with various departments and groups across campus to stay informed about AI-related activities, projects, and innovations.
- Network with faculty, staff, and students engaged in GenAI research or projects to build a collaborative GenAI community.
- Act as a liaison by understanding the GenAI landscape, gathering requirements, and identifying needs to shape recommendations.
- Provide GenAI expertise to the campus community and develop comprehensive GenAI training programs tailored to various college audiences.
Innovation and Experimentation:
- Stay updated on advancements and applications in GenAI and regularly share insights.
- Update training materials based on new developments.
- Participate in ongoing professional development to stay current with GenAI tools and advancements.
- Serve as the subject matter expert by maintaining relevant knowledge and skills.
- Identify and implement special projects to enhance the College IT instructional community's experience.
- Evaluate and pilot new ideas to support and advance the College's goals.
Technical Solutions:
- Identify opportunities to apply GenAI to address complex issues.
- Work with user groups to identify business problems and create effective AI solutions using appropriate technologies.
- In partnership with CoE department/unit leadership, CoE business process owners, data stewards, and when necessary utilizing a CoE-assigned project management team, engage in systems analysis, design, and reengineering to enhance business processes and overall efficiency through GenAI integration.
- Lead the technical development teams in designing, developing, and deploying GenAI applications and workflows to improve operational efficiency.
- Work with researchers and instructors to pinpoint AI technologies that will help solve their problems.
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor's Degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum of 5 years in higher education working with faculty and staff in implementing information technology projects
- Proven ability to lead GenAI initiatives and apply GenAI techniques to solve real-world problems.
- Demonstrated success in leading and managing projects, with a track record of innovation and problem-solving.
- Excellent collaboration skills, with the ability to work with diverse stakeholders, including faculty, staff, and external partners.
- Strong communication skills, capable of conveying complex technical concepts clearly and concisely.
- Understanding of the ethical implications of GenAI and a commitment to responsible GenAI practices.
- Proficient presentation skills applicable to both small and large audiences.
- Proven ability to lead, maintain confidentiality, work effectively under time constraints, and provide excellent customer service.
Desired Qualifications*
- Master's Degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience working with or leading developers to build solutions that include GenAI to improve business processes.
- Experience working with the University of Michigan Generative AI tools.
Modes of Work
The Michigan Engineering CAEN operates in a hybrid work environment consisting of both in-person and remote work. You will be classified as a HYBRID position within the Michigan Engineering Staff Telecommuting Policy, which means working on campus 2-3 days per week and working remotely the other days of the week. You can find more information here: https://rpm.engin.umich.edu/human-resources/telecommuting/
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.