Job Title

Director of Emerging Technology

Position Overview

The Director of Emerging Technology will develop and execute a comprehensive emerging technology strategy that aligns with the company’s goals and business objectives. This role will monitor, identify, and evaluate emerging information technologies, and assess their potential for strategic advantage and business impact. This role requires a leader with a strong technical background, a passion for innovation, and the ability to translate complex technological concepts into practical business solutions. This role will champion a company-wide understanding of the potential and practical applications of GenAI, AI/ML, and RPA. This role will establish and maintain partnerships with key technology vendors and existing SaaS vendors to ensure awareness and adoption of the latest innovations and enhancements in GenAI, AI/ML, and RPA. This role will develop metrics and KPIs to assess the effectiveness and impact of implemented technologies on operational efficiency and ROI. This role will collaborate closely with executive leadership, business units, and stakeholders to understand their technology needs and drive technology-enabled business initiatives.

Responsibilities:

Develop and execute a comprehensive emerging technology strategy that aligns with the company’s goals and business objectives.

Lead a team of technology professionals and cross-functional experts dedicated to emerging technology initiatives.

Promote and inspire a culture of excellence with our IT leaders and associates through the effective application of the ShawWay and Performance Experience (PX)

Engage in consultative and exploratory dialogue with business leaders and other IT leaders to understand business pain points and challenges.

Lead ideation sessions and creative thinking workshops to explore innovative solutions using GenAI, AI/ML, and RPA.

Champion a company-wide understanding of the potential and practical applications of GenAI, AI/ML, and RPA.

Proactively present and advocate for innovative projects to senior management, articulating the strategic benefits and ROI potential.

Identify and champion the integration of new technologies that promise significant ROI and competitive advantage. Identify and evaluate industry trends for applicability. Drive cross-functional collaboration to align emerging technology initiatives with business strategies and goals.

Develop and maintain professional relationships with IT associates and business partners alike to maximize the effectiveness of technology systems solutions and implementation across the organization.

Establish and maintain partnerships with key technology vendors and existing SaaS vendors to ensure awareness and adoption of the latest innovations and enhancements in GenAI, AI/ML, and RPA.

Provide input into or negotiate and manage contracts with vendors as required. Participate and lead vendor evaluation and selection to determine their capability to provide scalable and effective SaaS solutions embedded with GenAI, AI/ML, and RPA functionalities.

Establish and administer firm-wide standards and frameworks for the adoption and ethical use of AI/ML, GenAI, and RPA.

Create and oversee the implementation of 'accelerators'—tools, frameworks, and systems that fast-track technology adoption across the company.

Develop metrics and KPIs to assess the effectiveness and impact of implemented technologies on operational efficiency and ROI.

Regularly report progress, challenges, and future plans to senior management, ensuring transparency and support for emerging technology initiatives.

Act as a trusted advisor, providing insights and recommendations on the application of emerging technologies to solve complex business issues.

Facilitate the translation of complex technical concepts into clear business implications to assist decision-making at the executive level.

REQUIREMENTS:

A bachelor's or master's degree in business administration, computer science, data science, information science or related field(s), or equivalent work experience.

Ten or more years of business experience, ideally in IT, Information Management or business management — recently at or near Senior IT Leadership level. Broad business experience internally and within the vertical industry is desired.

Five or more years of progressive leadership experience in leading cross-functional teams and enterprise-wide programs, operating and influencing effectively across the organization and within complex contexts.

Proven track record in deploying AI/ML, GenAI, and RPA solutions in a large-scale operational setting.

Excellent business acumen and interpersonal skills; able to work across business lines at senior levels to influence and effect change to achieve common goals.

Demonstrated leadership; proven track record of leading complex, multidisciplinary talent teams in new endeavors and delivering solutions.

Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to explain emerging technologies to business leaders, as well as business concepts to technologists; the ability to sell ideas and process internally at all levels.

Strong understanding of financial terms and processes, such as capital, expense, lease, requisition, purchase order, cost center, and charge backs.

Experience in conducting strategic consulting sessions, running design-thinking workshops, and facilitating innovation sprints.

Strong understanding of the technological, operational, and ethical implications of deploying emerging technologies in manufacturing.

Demonstrated ability to work consultatively with senior business leaders and IT counterparts to uncover opportunities for technology-driven improvements.

Strong capability to analyze business processes, identify inefficiencies, and propose technology solutions that align with business needs and pain points.

Excellent leadership skills with the ability to mentor and develop teams.

Preferences:

Certifications or advanced training in GenAI or AI/ML

5+ yrs in AI / ML Strategy Consulting and Design Thinking or similar

Competencies:

Demonstrate Strategic Influence

Establish Strategic Direction

Drive Execution

Encourage Innovation

Coach and Develop Others

Demonstrate Inclusive Leadership

Lead Change

Work Shift

8 Hr non-rotating shift, Hrs fall to in punch day, Observed Calendar, shift starts AM

Shaw Industries is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.