Deputy Director, Digital & AI, DHAI

Responsibilities

Core Responsibilities

• Shape, inform and lead the India Digital & AI strategy execution aligned with ICO and global priorities, focusing on multiple foundation divisions (such as Global Health, Global Growth & Opportunity and Gender Equality divisions), to impact health, gender and economic outcomes positively.
• Support and advise the efforts in Digital/AI for education, health, agriculture, digital public infrastructure across the foundation’s geographies.
• Accountable for effectively shaping and managing a high-impact portfolio of investments in Digital & AI.
• Actively collaborate within the ICO and across global program strategy teams (PSTs) to co-develop, and adapt strategy execution, implementation and assessment plans to see progress to impact.
• Collaborate with Seattle PSTs as an important part of the foundation’s AI leadership structure, and lead India’s AI for social good workstream.
• Accelerate efforts to scale up and demonstrate positive social impact of AI at scale.
• Lead and manage a small team of expert investment officers and manage cross-functional project teams in Digital & AI.
• Advise team members on sequencing investments to accelerate the development of a diverse portfolio of products given local market contexts and needs.
• Be the key relationship manager, cultivate and manage strategic partnerships with Indian government agencies, academia, and the private sector.
• Serve as a subject matter expert to foundation leadership on India-specific product development and innovation strategies.
• Monitor AI project effectiveness, scalability, and ethical considerations, ensuring alignment with responsible AI principles.
• Represent the foundation in national forums, consortia, and policy dialogues related to Digital & AI.
• Prepare reviews, briefs and communication, as needed, for supporting annual reporting and reviews, learning and senior leadership visits.

Performance Management and Risk Mitigation

• Track key performance indicators, identify emerging risks or misalignments, and enable timely course correction.
• Establish effective systems for performance monitoring, reporting, and learning.

Operational Excellence

• Lead processes related to budgeting, investment planning, and portfolio strategy across the DHAI cluster, working closely with Strategy and Portfolio Planning & Management functions.
• Support implementation of shared tools and systems that enhance efficiency and cross-team alignment.

Leadership Support

• Act as a strategic thought partner to the Director to shape strategic priorities across the cluster, identify emerging opportunities for impact.
• Provide analytical insights, synthesizing complex information, and helping prepare internal and external briefings.
• Support stakeholder engagement and communications across internal teams and external partners.
• Track emerging trends and key players across India’s health innovation ecosystem to inform strategic engagement and investment decisions.
• Enable a positive team culture that enables the group thrive within a complex matrix environment.

People Management

• Lead a high performing team and foster a positive team culture that enables the group to have agency and thrive.
• Mentor and grow talent within the team to take on challenges that we anticipate for the future.

Skillset

• Advanced degree (e.g. PhD, MD, or Master’s in Public Health, Life Sciences, Engineering, Data Sciences, Computer Science or related field), is preferred.
• At least 12 years of experience in leadership roles within public or private sector in India. Strong understanding of strategic planning, performance management, and cross-functional coordination.
• A track record of designing and implementing large-scale portfolios covering technology, digital and/or AI transformation programs across sectors (e.g. health, education, gender, agriculture).
• Strong expertise in digital systems in the public sector, government initiatives in digital (such as Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission) and familiarity with the emerging IndiaAI Mission. An in-depth knowledge of India’s AI/digital ecosystem is essential.
• Familiarity with India’s digital regulatory ecosystem, product innovation, evolving laws, and how Digital & AI products are approved, introduced and scaled up.
• Previous experience of leading and facilitating annual program/portfolio reviews, generating insights, developing strategic frameworks, and translating analysis into persuasive narratives, visualizations, and presentations for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience in global health product development, regulatory processes, and technology transfer preferred.
• Experience in global development, global health, or government systems in India, is highly desirable.
• Experience working in heavily matrixed environments, across multiple teams and divisions, and managing changing priorities. Skilled in navigating ambiguity and driving clarity in unstructured situations.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. Exceptional organizational and analytical skills, including systems thinking, coordination, results orientation and operational rigor.
• Proven ability to work with senior leadership and influence across teams without formal authority.
• Proven track record in building and managing cross-sectoral partnerships in India. Experience outside India will be a bonus.
• Expert in facilitation and influencing skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively and forge strong partnerships with a diverse set of stakeholders.
• Strong listening, verbal, and written communications skills; ability to calibrate input, make trade-offs, and synthesize information to connect with diverse audiences.
• Excellent leadership and program management skills with ability to drive results in complex, matrixed environments.
• A high-level of personal initiative and ability to be proactive, combined with the ability to stay focused on long-term vision.
• Demonstrated commitment to innovation, inclusion, and impact.