Senior Director, AI Foundations and Engineering

Optus is an Australian telecommunications company, delivering more than 11 million services to our customers every day across mobile, broadband and digital solutions.

We are seeking an outstanding leader to shape the future of AI at our organisation. Define strategic vision, develop new AI frameworks, and encourage creativity across Optus.
This is a pivotal executive role where you will lead all aspects of the design and deployment of scalable, ethical, and secure AI/ML systems, ensuring they deliver real business impact while meeting the highest standards of governance and responsibility.

What You’Ll Do

• Define and deliver the AI/ML engineering roadmap in alignment with enterprise strategy.  
• Lead the development of core AI platforms, reusable architectures, and model lifecycle management.  
• Oversee scalable model and pipeline development, with strong practices for testing, monitoring, and deployment.  
• Drive innovation in generative AI and large-scale foundation models.  
• Build and lead high-performing teams of engineers, data scientists, and platform developers.  
• Partner with executives and business units to translate AI into measurable value.  
• Champion responsible AI, embedding ethical principles into all AI solutions. 

What You’Ll Bring

• Proven leadership at scale in AI/ML engineering or enterprise AI platform development.  
• Deep expertise in AI/ML model lifecycle management, cloud-native AI platforms, and modern architectures (e.g., transformers, LLMs, vector databases).  
• Ability to engage at the C-suite level and influence cross-functional strategies.  
• A track record of building, leading, and inspiring high-performing teams.  
• Passion for innovation, continuous learning, and responsible AI.

The Good Stuff….

• Competitive remuneration and employee discounts. Make life easier (and more affordable) with $80 monthly credit and 25% off Optus products and unique shopping discounts with our retail partners.
• Flexible working arrangements with opportunities to work three days in the office, two days remote or home.
• Vibrant and collaborative office campus that includes cafes, convenience store, chill out zones, GP, post office, gym and on-site childcare centre.
• Competitive leave policies, including additional 'Connected’ days to focus on culture, family, health, community, or whatever’s important to you.
• We support growing families with inclusive, carer-neutral paid Parental Leave of up to 16 weeks.
• Direct your own development and build future-ready skills with Optus U’s industry-focused micro-credentials, developed with La Trobe and Macquarie Universities.
• Build meaningful connections through employee-led networks and diversity initiatives including Culture Connect, Elevate Women, Disability Network and Express Yourself (LGBTQIA+).
• Put your wellbeing first with free access to counselling and support services, 24/7 — in-person, by phone, SMS, or video.

At Optus, we are strengthened by others and that means valuing diversity and saying ‘yes’ to embracing individual differences. We are committed to ensuring that our application process provides an equal employment opportunity to all job seekers, including individuals from diverse gender, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, individuals with a disability, individuals identifying as being part of the LGBTQIA+ community, individuals who may have served in the armed forces or who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. We also want to do our best to make our recruitment process inclusive. If you require any adjustments or accessibility support to participate fairly and equitably in the recruitment process, please email AccessibleRecruitment@optus.com.au or call 1800 309 170. We're here to help. When you contact us, please advise your preferred method of contact and we will be in touch within 48 hours.

For more information on Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at Optus, please visit https://www.optus.com.au/about/inclusion-diversity 

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