Director - Digital Data & AI
Director (M2) – Digital Data & AI | Gurgaon, India
Why This Role is Different
This is not a traditional Director role.
- You will lead the shift from:
- Data platforms → Intelligent systems
- Manual workflows → Agentic AI
- Scale via headcount → Scale via AI leverage
You are building AI-native capabilities from the ground up, powering:
- Consumer experiences
- Digital commerce
- Decision intelligence across markets
This is your opportunity to shape how AI is operationalized at scale in a global enterprise.
Your Mission
Lead and scale a high-impact Digital Data & AI organization in Gurgaon, delivering:
- AI-native products and platforms
- LLM-powered and agentic systems
- Measurable business outcomes (not just tech delivery)
- You will bridge strategy and execution, ensuring ideas translate into production-grade, scalable impact.
What You Will Own
- AI & Data Platform Execution
You will drive the end-to-end lifecycle of AI systems:
- Scale LLM, GenAI, and agentic workflows into production
- Build reusable AI platforms:
- LLMOps (evaluation, monitoring, safety)
- Data & feature pipelines
- Model orchestration & governance
Ensure systems are:
- Scalable (global use)
- Cost-efficient (token + infra optimization)
- Reliable (production-grade)
Focus: From POCs → enterprise-grade AI systems
- Build & Lead High-Impact Teams
You will lead leaders (M3) and shape the organization:
- Manage Architects, Engineering Leaders, Data Leaders
- Build Gurgaon as a strategic AI hub
Drive:
- Hiring of critical AI & data talent
- Coaching & leadership development
- Strong team engagement (eNPS mindset)
Success = strong leaders who scale independently
- Define the Operating Model
You will create the system that enables scale:
Establish:
- Clear decision rights
- AI governance frameworks
- Standardized ways of working
Drive:
- Platform-first thinking (build once, reuse globally)
- Cross-functional alignment (Product, Tech, Analytics, Design)
Principle: “One roadmap. One stack. One governance.”
- Drive Vendor & Cost Transformation
You will redefine how vendors deliver:
Shift from:
- Ticket resolution → Ticket deflection
- Manual ops → AI-automated operations
Implement:
- AI-first delivery expectations
- Maturity-based vendor engagement
- Deliver Business Impact
You will ensure AI creates real value:
Define and track:
- AI leverage KPIs
- Speed to market
- Commercial impact (conversion, efficiency, CX)
Translate:
- Technology investments and business outcomes
- Your Success is defined by how AI leverage is measurable, not experimental
How You Will Lead
You will operate as a Director-level leader at adidas:
- Deliver strategy through teams and systems
- Make high-quality decisions in ambiguity
- Influence without authority across global stakeholders
Balance:
- Short-term delivery
- Long-term platform thinking
- Build a winning culture focused on performance & collaboration
Who You Are
Experience of 15+ years in Data, AI, or Digital Engineering
Proven track record:
- Leading large, cross-functional teams
- Driving complex transformation programs
- Experience managing senior architects / engineering leaders
AI & Technology Depth
You are not expected to code—but you are deeply credible:
Strong understanding of:
- LLMs, GenAI, agentic systems
- Data platforms & cloud architectures
- AI lifecycle (build → deploy → monitor → optimize)
Comfortable challenging:
- Architecture decisions
- Trade-offs (cost vs performance vs scalability)
Leadership Mindset
Business-first thinker (not tech-first)
Obsessed with:
- Outcomes
- Speed
- Simplicity
Challenges:
- Legacy thinking
- Vendor inefficiencies
Builds:
- Systems, not one-off solutions
- Leaders, not followers
What Success Looks Like
Within 12–18 months:
- AI is embedded in core business workflows
- Operational Run costs reduced via automation & AI
- Build and development teams are smaller but more productive
- Clear architecture & governance adopted globally
- Gurgaon is recognized as a strategic AI hub
Why Join
Work on cutting-edge AI (LLMs, agentic systems, decision intelligence)
Lead high-visibility transformation at global scale
Build and shape a future-ready organization
Operate in an environment that values:
- Speed
- Ownership
- Impact
At adidas, we strongly believe that embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into our culture and talent processes gives our employees a sense of belonging and our brand a real competitive advantage.
– Culture Starts With People, It Starts With You –
By recruiting talent and developing our people to reflect the rich diversity of our consumers and communities, we foster a culture of inclusion that engages our employees and authentically connects our brand with our consumers.