About the Department

The Assistant Director of Data and Artificial Intelligence is responsible for leading the maturation, support, and execution of MAC’s IT Data capabilities.  This includes overseeing the identification, ingestion, cleaning, and maintenance of all enterprise data and Geographic Information System (GIS) data.  As a component of MAC’s data capabilities, this position also leads the usage and advancement of data-associated Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, such as Large Language Models (LLMs), that leverage these enterprise data sets. 

The Assistant Director of Data and Artificial Intelligence will possess strong people leader skills, technology expertise, proven customer relationship building skills, and the ability to implement and support enterprise-grade data solutions for stakeholders that help MAC reach and maintain their strategic goals.   The Assistant Director of Data and Artificial Intelligence will drive innovation, identify, implement, and support enterprise data solutions, data-driven AI technologies, and best practices that enhance the organization's capabilities in alignment with MAC’s IT strategy. 

To apply: click the "Apply" link located just above the position description, log-in and follow the instructions provided.

Questions regarding this position can be directed to Randa Hamid at [email protected] or 612-713-8726. Applications will be accepted until 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2026.

MAC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, gender, age, nationality, or disability.

MAC complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If an accommodation is required for you to participate in the application process because of a disability, please contact Tekia Jefferson at 612-726-8196 or [email protected].   

Position Duties

JOB DUTIES

Departmental

• Leads the IT Data team to work with business partners to develop and support strategically aligned solutions and capabilities to help meet MAC’s goals. 

• Drives the continued growth and maturation of MAC’s data practice including collaborating with MAC’s Data Governance team to help advance MAC’s analytics capabilities from descriptive reporting toward more predictive and prescriptive capabilities.

• Establishes and matures a data stewardship model across the organization to ensure data is cataloged, accessible, accurate, and well-defined. 

• Partners with the PMO and business stakeholders plan, prioritize, scope, deliver, document, and support data-related projects.

• Leads the continued maturation and refinement of MAC’s data technical roadmap and ensures alignment with the overall IT and enterprise strategic plans.

• Assists with strategy, delivery, and support of AI-driven solutions within the operational and/or GIS data environments.

• Manages and prioritizes day-to-day activities for the IT Data Team and ensures data incidents and enhancement requests are addressed in a timely manner.

• Partners with Cyber-security experts to ensure data solutions align with corporate security practices.

• Develop partnerships with stakeholders and senior management to stay abreast of current issues and challenges.

• Maintains vendor relationships including budgeting for and managing the associated maintenance and licensing agreements.

• Fosters high-performing teams, through a positive and inclusive work environment that promotes professional growth and encourages knowledge sharing.

• Collaborates with other airport and aviation industry peers to share best practices.

Technical Responsibilities

• Owns all enterprise data and GIS data including on-going support and maintenance of these authoritative data sets.

• Ensures enterprise alignment for architectural direction for GIS and other data solutions

• Leads artificial intelligence innovation pilots and production solutions and works develop operational processes that leverage LLM’s and other AI-based data solutions.

• Manages key vendors to understand and align with vendor product roadmaps and life-cycle initiatives

• Evaluates industry trends related to data, GIS, analytics, and data-related AI solutions and recommends emerging data technologies for adoption.

People/Team Management

• Manage a team of IT professionals (employees and contractors), including hiring, training, and performance management.

• Further develop roles and responsibility matrixes so employees have work plans appropriate for their business function and that the plan is being followed.

• Conduct regularly scheduled meetings with employees to communicate work plans, issues, and other appropriate information.

• Exercise supervisory authority in accordance with MAC Human Resource Policy, MAC Administration Manual, and/or the appropriate collective bargaining agreement.

• Recognize employee achievement.

• Oversee the development and maintenance of resource utilization and forecasting models.

• Participate in management meetings and contribute to an open dialogue; communicate information within the organization and provide feedback to the team.

Minimum Qualifications

Manager of Managers (MOM) Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree in an IT related field and four years of experience supporting and managing data quality and data governance technical frameworks
• In lieu of a degree, eight years of related IT experience supporting and managing data quality and data governance technical frameworks
• Three years of leadership responsibilities and managing teams which included responsibility for hiring, disciplining, coaching, rewarding and terminating employees.
• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting or providing oversight for technical support for data and AI platforms

• Experience building or maturing data capabilities (GIS and/or transactional/operational data)

• Proven experience piloting and deploying technology solutions that leverage AI capabilities

• Experience with dashboarding and visualization platforms

• Proven ability to build and maintain stakeholder relationships at all levels of an organization

• Demonstrated experience delivering data-related solutions via formal Project Delivery methodologies

• Ability to understand and communicate technical information to end users in an easily understood manner

• Experience selecting and managing third-party vendors

• Willing and able to provide 24/7/365 support for critical operational data systems

• Valid driver’s license and ability to commute between job sites

• Travel <10

Desirable Requirements

Other Qualifications

This position provides an opportunity for on-site and remote work. MAC's remote work policy requires employees to be on-site three days of the week. Among the three on-site days, one of them must be either a Monday or a Friday and on Tuesdays, all employees are required to be onsite.