AI Architect and Program Manager

Van Andel Institute is seeking an AI Architect and Program Manager to lead the Institute’s enterprise AI program and technical architecture. Reporting to the Chief Information Officer, this role sits at the intersection of strategy, architecture, and execution - translating VAI’s AI strategy into a well-governed portfolio of initiatives and the secure, scalable technical foundations that support them.

This is a rare opportunity to build an AI capability from the ground up in a mission-driven organization, shaping how artificial intelligence accelerates world-class biomedical research, science education, and the operations that support them.

What You’ll Do

AI Program Leadership

• Facilitate and steward the Institute’s AI strategy and multi-year roadmap - owned by the AI Governance Council - across three AI pillars: Generative AI, Data Science and Machine Learning, and AI-Enabled Applications; translate approved strategy into executable plans aligned to IT strategic pillars and institutional priorities
• Own and prioritize the AI use-case intake pipeline; evaluate opportunities across Research, Education, and Operations for value, feasibility, and fit
• Lead the Generative AI Center of Excellence and curate the approved-tool toolkit as an enterprise program
• Drive AI adoption and change management using a structured methodology (ADKAR) in partnership with functional teams across the Institute
• Serve as the primary liaison to the AI Governance Council, preparing and presenting materials for oversight and approval
• Track and report AI value, adoption, and outcomes to IT leadership and the Institute’s executive and advisory governance bodies
• Define the scope, workload, and criteria justifying future dedicated AI resources, and lead them as the capability scales

AI Architecture and Enablement

• Define the AI reference architecture and design patterns spanning the three AI pillars
• Architect the data and machine learning platform foundations required to operationalize AI securely and at scale
• Establish secure, reusable build patterns for AI-enabled applications and integrations with enterprise systems and research data
• Lead technical evaluation of AI tools, models, and vendors in coordination with Cybersecurity
• Embed responsible-AI design practices - security, privacy, data protection, and monitoring - as first-class architectural requirements, consistent with a secure-by-design approach
• Provide technical depth and hands-on architecture leadership for priority AI initiatives

Governance Partnership

• Prepare and submit governance inputs - including risk-tiering analysis, AI inventory and register entries, and use-case review packages - for review and approval by the AI Governance Council
• Partner with Cybersecurity, which owns the AI governance framework and its ongoing compliance management, to keep AI initiatives aligned with Institute policy and industry frameworks
• Operate within a defined separation of duties, with risk decisions and use-case approvals resting with the AI Governance Council

What You’ll Work With

• Enterprise generative AI platforms and the approved-tool toolkit, cloud AI services, and modern data and machine learning tooling
• Enterprise applications including Workday
• The Microsoft 365 ecosystem and research computing and secure data environments
• Governance, risk, and compliance tooling in partnership with Cybersecurity
• Cross-functional teams and governance bodies spanning Research, Education, and Operations

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• 8+ years of progressive technology experience, including 3+ years in AI/ML, data platform, or solution architecture
• Hands-on experience designing and delivering generative AI or LLM-based solutions in an enterprise setting
• Experience with enterprise architecture and integration patterns across SaaS and data platforms
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional programs from strategy through execution
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present to executive audiences and influence without direct authority, * Experience in research, healthcare, higher education, or other regulated or mission-driven environments
• Familiarity with responsible AI and risk frameworks such as the NIST AI Risk Management Framework
• Experience with cloud AI platforms and services (e.g., Azure, AWS)
• Experience integrating with Workday or similar enterprise SaaS platforms
• Formal change management experience (ADKAR or similar methodology)
• Relevant certifications in cloud architecture, AI/ML, or program management

All full-time employees of Van Andel Institute are eligible for benefits effective Day One. VAI offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package.

Van Andel Institute (VAI), a world-class biomedical research institute, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is dedicated to improving human health. We are pioneers in the fight against cancer, Parkinson’s, and other diseases. We are committed to inspiring the next generation of scientists and educators., Established in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1996 by the Van Andel family, VAI is now home to nearly 500 scientists, educators and support staff, who work with national and international collaborators to foster discovery. The Institute’s scientists study the origins of cancer, Parkinson’s and other diseases and translate their findings into breakthrough prevention and treatment strategies. Our educators develop inquiry-based approaches for K-12 education to help students and teachers prepare the next generation of problem-solvers, while our Graduate School offers a rigorous, research-intensive Ph.D. program in molecular and cellular biology.

VAI is committed to excellence through broad participation and diverse perspectives. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences who share our passion for innovation and collaboration.

Van Andel Institute is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer.

As Van Andel Institute is a drug free employer, all prospective new employees undergo a urinalysis/drug test as part of our pre-employment process. This is a 7-panel drug screen and it includes testing for Marijuana, Cocaine, Amphetamines, Opiates, PCP, Barbiturates, and Benzodiazepines.

About Grand Rapids, MI

Van Andel Institute is in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan in the center of the Medical Mile. A remarkable combination of a cosmopolitan atmosphere and small-town warmth, Grand Rapids is known for its philanthropic and sustainability-driven community. It’s fun affordable and family-friendly.

Located on the banks of the Grand River, Grand Rapids offers all the big-city excitement you’d expect from a million-resident metropolis, featuring hundreds of restaurants and nightspots, theaters, museums, sports and concerts. The safe and clean downtown is surrounded by an eclectic mix of walkable neighborhoods and natural areas. The downtown area is safe and clean with an eclectic mix of walkable neighborhoods and natural areas.

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