Director Industrial Artificial Intelligence

About the Role

Ma’aden is seeking a Director, Industrial Artificial Intelligence to lead the strategic development and implementation of AI solutions across its operations in Riyadh. This full-time role focuses on leveraging operational data and AI capabilities to enhance safety, productivity, reliability, and efficiency in exploration, mining, mineral processing, and industrial assets.

Role Purpose and Impact

The Director, Industrial Artificial Intelligence will be responsible for shaping the strategy and portfolio that transforms operational challenges into scalable AI solutions. This position connects operational priorities with AI, data, digital, OT, and engineering capabilities to drive measurable improvements in key areas such as safety, productivity, recovery, reliability, process stability, energy efficiency, and sustainability. The role aims to transition Industrial AI initiatives from experimentation to sustained operational adoption, while establishing the necessary capabilities, governance, partnerships, and responsible AI practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Shape and evolve Ma'aden’s Industrial AI strategy and investment portfolio, directing resources towards high-value opportunities.
• Translate operational priorities into a balanced portfolio of scalable AI opportunities, considering value, feasibility, risk, and adoption criteria.
• Establish the operating model, standards, and governance for responsible and consistent scaling of Industrial AI across operations.
• Drive measurable improvements in safety, productivity, recovery, reliability, process stability, cost, energy efficiency, and sustainability through targeted AI solutions.
• Advance AI-enabled decision-making across various operational domains, including exploration, mine planning, mineral processing, and maintenance.
• Lead high-value AI initiatives from experimentation through production, adoption, and sustained operational ownership.
• Oversee the development and deployment of production-grade AI capabilities to address complex industrial challenges.
• Enable effective integration of AI with operational technology, control systems, digital twins, and enterprise platforms.
• Leverage enterprise AI platforms and architecture standards to accelerate deployment and mitigate technology risk.
• Govern Industrial AI solutions across model performance, reliability, cybersecurity, data governance, and responsible AI requirements.
• Establish transparent portfolio performance, value tracking, and risk oversight for informed investment decisions.
• Ensure Industrial AI initiatives meet approved quality, financial, technical, risk, and performance expectations.
• Build and lead an integrated Industrial AI function, strengthening both AI capability and operational domain expertise.
• Develop senior partnerships across various functions to embed AI into operational decisions and workflows.
• Cultivate strategic relationships with technology providers, OEMs, universities, and research institutions to foster innovation.

Qualifications and Experience

• 15+ years of relevant experience, including at least 7 years in AI, advanced analytics, optimization, automation, or digital transformation.
• Experience within mining, metals, energy, manufacturing, or another asset-intensive industrial environment is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams and delivering scalable, production-grade AI solutions with measurable operational impact.
• Experience leading complex initiatives from strategy and use-case prioritization through deployment, operational adoption, stakeholder alignment, and benefits realization.

Desired Outcomes

• A prioritized Industrial AI portfolio that delivers demonstrable operational and financial value aligned with Ma’aden’s strategic priorities.
• AI solutions that contribute measurable improvements in safety, productivity, recovery, reliability, process stability, energy efficiency, cost, and sustainability.
• Successful progression of high-value AI use cases from experimentation into production, sustained adoption, and operational ownership.
• Industrial AI solutions that demonstrate reliable performance with effective governance, cybersecurity, responsible AI, and operational assurance.
• Enterprise AI, Digital, OT, IT, and operational teams operating through clear interfaces that accelerate delivery and reduce duplication.
• A high-performing Industrial AI function that develops strong technical and domain capability, with effective leadership succession, knowledge transfer, and external partnerships.

Work Environment

This is a full-time position based in Riyadh, where the Director will lead an integrated Industrial AI function and foster strategic partnerships across various operational and technical teams within Ma’aden.