Assistant Director, Digital Enablement

The Assistant Director of Digital Enablement provides strategic and operational leadership across digital solutions consulting, solutions engineering, and training, with a significant focus on AI enablement across the university. This role intentionally unifies consultation, solution design, implementation, and training into a single, integrated service model recognizing that effective consultations are inherently instructional, strong training is consultative, and successful digital solutions require both.  A primary role of this position is the ability to work closely with senior stakeholders (Director, VP, etc.) to create and shape AI transformation roadmaps, research and evaluate vendors that can deliver on strategic AI initiatives.

Reporting to the Director of Digital Solutions and Global Client Experience, the Assistant Director oversees multidisciplinary teams responsible for enabling the university community to effectively adopt and use enterprise platforms, AI-powered tools, and digital workflows. This role serves as a bridge between campus needs and IT capabilities, ensuring solutions are user-centered, scalable, well-documented, and supported by high-quality enablement experiences.

A core emphasis of this role is AI enablement: guiding the adoption, diffusion, and effective use of AI platforms and AI-embedded tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot and other emerging technologies) through solution design, process reengineering, consulting, training, and change management. The Assistant Director will directly oversee senior AI-focused roles and is expected to model strong AI fluency, ethical use, and practical application across administrative and academic contexts.

This role requires occasional availability outside of traditional working hours to address urgent business needs as they arise, including, but not limited to, responding to security incidents, supporting software deployments, resolving software issues or system breaks, and addressing other critical operational requirements. The ideal candidate must be proactive and adaptable, ensuring minimal disruption to business operations by promptly addressing any issues, regardless of time or day. Flexibility and a strong sense of urgency are essential for success in this position.

This role requires flexibility in performing duties outside of the primary responsibilities to support evolving business needs. The ideal candidate must be adaptable and willing to take on additional tasks or projects as required, ensuring smooth operations across the organization. This may include stepping in to assist with cross-functional teams, handling unexpected challenges, or contributing to initiatives that support business growth and success. A proactive mindset and the ability to pivot quickly are essential for thriving in this dynamic environment.

This role is hybrid and in the office a minimum of three days a week to facilitate collaboration and teamwork. In-office presence is an essential part of our on-campus culture and allows for engaging directly with staff and students, sharing ideas, and contributing to a dynamic work environment. Being on-site allows for stronger connections, more effective problem-solving, and enhanced team synergy, all of which are key to achieving our collective goals and driving success.

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business, Education, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 7+ years of experience in digital solutions consulting, solutions engineering, training, product/platform ownership, or digital transformation roles.

• Incumbent must have the ability to blend front-facing, executive level consulting skills with deep technical knowledge to identify opportunities where AI opportunities can create significant value to the organization.

• Demonstrated leadership experience managing multidisciplinary teams (consulting, engineering, training, or enablement).

• Strong experience with enterprise platforms and productivity tools (e.g., Microsoft 365, Power Platform, ServiceNow, Qualtrics, collaboration tools).

• Demonstrated experience enabling adoption of AI tools and platforms, including training, consulting, or solution design.

• Proven ability to translate business needs into practical, user-centered digital solutions.

• Experience designing and delivering training or enablement programs in higher education or a complex enterprise environment.

• Exceptional communication, stakeholder engagement, and change management skills.

• Strong analytical skills with experience using metrics to guide decision-making and demonstrate impact.

• Experience leading or supporting AI programs, platforms, or AI-embedded enterprise tools.

• Familiarity with AI governance, ethical use frameworks, and risk considerations.

• Agile, Scrum, ITIL, or change management experience.

• Experience working in higher education or similarly complex, federated organizations.

This role typically supervises managers, leads, and/or senior individual contributors across digital solutions engineering, consulting, training, and AI enablement functions. The Assistant Director is accountable for team performance, capacity planning, and professional development.

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.  

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.