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
  
  

Establish:

You will create the system that enables scale:

• 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
  
  

Shift From:

You will redefine how vendors deliver:

• Ticket resolution → Ticket deflection
• Manual ops → AI-automated operations
  
  

Implement:

• AI-first delivery expectations
• Maturity-based vendor engagement
• Deliver Business Impact
  
  

Define And Track:

You will ensure AI creates real value:

• 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
  
  

https://adidas.github.io

https://medium.com/adidoescode

adidas celebrates diversity, supports inclusiveness and encourages individual expression in our workplace. We do not tolerate the harassment or discrimination toward any of our applicants or employees. We are an equal opportunity employer.