Department: Technology and Information Department
Location: Lausanne, Switzerland
Contract Type: Open-ended
Activity Level: 100%

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is the guardian of the Olympic Games and the leader of the Olympic Movement. A truly global organisation, it acts as a catalyst for collaboration between all Olympic stakeholders, including the athletes, the National Olympic Committees (NOCs), the International Sports Federations (IFs), Organising Committees for the Olympic Games, the Worldwide Olympic Partners and Media Rights-Holders. It also works with public and private authorities, including the United Nations and other international organisations.

If you are experienced in the field of Artificial Intelligence and the opportunity to build a better world through sports inspires you, this is a unique opportunity to join the IOC and further your contribution to the Olympic Movement.

Head of Artificial Intelligence Programme

As the Head of AI for the Olympic AI Agenda, you will lead key AI initiatives, leveraging extensive experience in Business and IT Programme Management. You'll drive the AI Programme, aligning projects with Olympic guidelines and delivering AI benefits to the Olympic Movement. This role requires expertise in stakeholder management, Programme Governance, and AI technologies, including Machine Learning and Data Strategy. You'll also collaborate with the DEM AI Team on Fan Engagement initiatives and ensure project success through best practices in IT, Business, and Change Management.

Main responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the AI overall programme. Certain aspects will be co led with Digital Engagement & Marketing (DEM) AI Business Manager and DEM AI team. The programme manager will ensure that these aspects are seamlessly integrated into the programme. Likewise, IOC Depts and external TOP Partners will be consulted to create the Olympic AI agenda roadmap and delivery plan reacting to opportunities for AI-driven innovation and operational efficiency. based on the IOC AI strategy.
• Clearly define and communicate the value proposition of AI initiatives, demonstrating how they will drive revenue, reduce costs, enhance customer experience, or achieve other strategic business objectives.
• Stay abreast of AI trends, technologies, and regulatory changes. Ensure technology innovation is relayed into DEM consolidation of trend and opportunities to ensure the IOC and the Olympic Movement remains competitive and compliant.
• Oversee the development and deployment of AI models and solutions, ensuring they meet the highest standards of ethical use, privacy, compliance, accuracy, reliability, and scalability. The programme will need to focus on data literacy and quality to underpin the success of Ai initiatives.
• Providing best practice advice and thought leadership relating to AI and the delivery of a Business Transformation programme. Ensuing education, information and adoption are paramount in the delivery of AI initiatives.
• Create and manage influential stakeholder relationships to ensure that AI strategy is seamlessly integrated with other departmental strategies, fostering collaboration and unified goals.
• Accountable for relationships with TOPs whilst driving valuable supplier outcomes to ensure that the AI Programme delivers on time and delivers true benefits.

Programme Management

• Design and implement a cohesive and efficient programme management framework for the IOC AI Flagship programme including resourcing, PMO structure, reporting and governance controls for all IT projects within the programme
• Accountable for the planning, execution and delivery of AI projects to time cost and budget together with appropriate benefits management and key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success and impact of AI initiatives. DEM and other IOC Depts will be responsible for the planning, definition, reporting and execution of a number of projects and the Programme Manager will need to ensure that timelines and dependencies are closely managed into the overall AI programme reporting.
• Ensure full collaboration and integration with the IOC Project Management Office and Plan and Budget Committee to ensure good business case governance.
• Delivering complex AI business and IT projects within the programme structure across various technologies, platforms and applications whilst working closely with functional teams, including DTI, Digital Engagement & Marketing department, Olympic Channel Services, to integrate AI solutions into business processes.
• Working with DEM, communicate AI strategies, project statuses, and results to stakeholders, including the executive team and directors.
• Address the risks associated with the deployment of AI through the establishment of good governance. Ensure that role and use of the data and analytics services are well positioned within the programme.

People Management

• Build, lead, and mentor a diverse team of AI specialists, data scientists, machine learning engineers, and other relevant roles.
• Establish virtual / Matrix teams to ensure that business and project resources / capabilities are available to ensure delivery to time cost and quality.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive team culture that encourages creativity and continuous learning.
• Conduct performance reviews, provide feedback, and create development plans to support team growth and career progression.

Experience

• Experienced in leading significant organisational / business transformation programmes with leading edge technologies ensuring that true business benefit is delivered.
• Proven ability to manage diverse senior stakeholders and to influence stakeholders under challenging circumstances.
• Ability to lead matrix teams in complex environments that include multi-vendors, complex business processes and organization structures and supplier geographically distributed teams.
• Experience of working with global teams and a track record of leading teams of internal and supplier colleagues based locally and remotely.
• In depth knowledge of how to set up programmes for success including IT, Business and Change components.
• Outstanding communication skills (verbal and written) and presentation skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Ability to lead teams to prepare large proposals and program plans, facilitate leverage differentiators (e.g. specific investment proposals or delivery approaches etc.).
• Ability to articulate value-based propositions, own and review programme financials, and lead proposal presentations in order to create compelling propositions for the IOC.
• Substantial proven experience working in client facing consulting and influencing roles.
• Experience in global delivery and working with offshore resources. Management of suppliers to deliver agreed work, contracts and SOW's
• Experience in mentoring and coach consulting resources

Education; language and IT competences

• Advanced degree (Master’s or Ph D) in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, or a related field.
• Recent experience in AI, machine learning, or data science roles, with at least 5 years in a programme leadership position.
• English or French fluency, with excellent writing and speaking of the other language.

Come and join an organisation where the spirit of inclusion, gender equality and diversity is embedded in its DNA, and which focuses on what unites us – a passion for sport and its values. Work in a flexible and rewarding environment which offers competitive employee benefits and numerous incentives to live a sustainable, healthy and active life. By joining us, you will become part of the Olympic Movement and help to build a better world through sport, with the opportunity to work with people of more than 70 nationalities.

We are a value driven organisation. Our values help bring out the best in us. We strive for excellence and encourage people to do the best they can. We promote respect in many different ways, respect for yourself, for the rules, for your opponents, for the environment and for the public. We celebrate friendship, which is the hallmark of the Olympic Games. There is more that unites than divides us.