AI Solutions & Innovation Manager

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Richland County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 9739901
Agency: University of South Carolina
Opening Date: 08/11/2026
Closing Date: 9/12/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Agency Specific Application Procedures:: Your application must be submitted online at ;br>Class Code:: AM55
Position Number:: 9739901
Normal Work Schedule:: Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)
Pay Grade: Unclassified
EEO Statement: Equal Opportunity Employer
Veteran Preference Statement: South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

Job Responsibilities

AI Solutions & Innovation ManagerDepartment: SAAS Information TechnologyAdvertised Salary Range: Part/Full Time: Full TimeAbout UofSCFrom the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor's degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service - helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.Inclusive Excellence StatementAdvertised Job SummaryAI Solutions & Innovation Manager- Ready to shape the future of AI in higher education?- Can you transform innovative ideas into practical solutions that improve the student and staff experience?- If you're passionate about building AI-powered solutions, leading organizational change, and driving responsible innovation, we'd love to hear from you!Position Summary:The AI Solutions & Innovation Manager advances the Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support's AI capabilities by identifying opportunities to improve operations through artificial intelligence and delivering practical, scalable solutions. Working collaboratively with functional units and the IT development team, the position designs, develops, and implements AI-powered applications, intelligent agents, workflow automations, and enterprise system integrations using modern low-code, automation, and AI-assisted development tools. The role partners with technical and non-technical stakeholders to translate business needs into effective solutions, evaluate outcomes, and drive continuous improvement. In addition, the position leads AI adoption by developing training, documentation, and best practices, fostering responsible use across the Division, and serving as the primary liaison with the Division of Information Technology (DoIT) to ensure all AI initiatives align with university standards for governance, privacy, security, accessibility, and ethical AI use.Primary Job Duties- AI Solutions Discovery, Design, and Delivery: Identifies, evaluates, designs, and implements AI-powered solutions that improve business processes, enhance operational efficiency, and support the Division's strategic objectives. Collaborates with stakeholders to translate business needs into scalable AI applications, intelligent automations, and integrated solutions.- Adoption, Enablement, and Change Leadership: Leads the successful adoption of AI technologies by developing change management strategies, training programs, documentation, and champion networks that promote user engagement, responsible use, and sustained organizational adoption.- Governance, Documentation, and DoIT Liaison: Ensures AI solutions comply with university policies and standards for data governance, privacy, security, accessibility, and ethical AI use. Serves as the Division's primary liaison with the Division of Information Technology (DoIT) to coordinate AI initiatives and maintain alignment with institutional technology and governance requirements.- Evaluation, Continuous Improvement, and Innovation: Establishes performance measures to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of AI initiatives, analyzes outcomes to drive continuous improvement, and identifies emerging AI technologies and opportunities that advance innovation and operational excellence across the Division.Perks:- Competitive salary + some of the BEST benefits you can find!- Generous annual and sick leave accruement, along with 13 paid holidays.- An engaging and collaborative on-campus environment. Our location is in South Carolina's capitol city, surrounded by amenities, so you will love where you work!- Opportunities for professional development, including tuition assistance.- Eligible for enrollment in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.;br>
Minimum and Additional Requirements

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities AI Solution Development - Ability to design and build working AI solutions using prompt and context engineering, agent development platforms, workflow automation, LLM APIs, and low-code or AI-assisted development approaches. Problem Identification & Needs Analysis - Ability to conduct needs analyses and feasibility assessments, identify where AI delivers measurable value, and prioritize opportunities against divisional and institutional goals. Adoption & Change Leadership - Understanding of change management and technology-adoption principles; ability to design champion networks, communication plans, and enablement resources that make solutions stick. Communication & Collaboration - Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate complex technical topics clearly and work effectively with diverse campus stakeholders at all levels. Ethical AI & Governance - Awareness of AI ethics, bias, limitations, and institutional governance requirements; ability to embed responsible-use practices into every solution and process. Project & Program Management - Ability to plan, track, and deliver multiple concurrent initiatives; maintain accurate documentation; and measure and report outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications Master's degree in computer science, information systems, data science, artificial intelligence, educational technology, or a related field. A strong foundation in both AI and machine learning concepts and their practical application in organizational settings. Demonstrated experience building and deploying AI solutions in real operational use (not only pilots or training programs), such as agents, automations, or AI-assisted applications. Candidates are encouraged to provide examples or a portfolio. Experience with enterprise AI ecosystems (Microsoft Copilot and Copilot Studio, OpenAI, Anthropic, or Google) and workflow automation platforms such as Power Automate. Experience leading technology adoption or change initiatives in higher education or another complex, decentralized organization.

Additional Comments

Job Close Date09/12/2026Special Instructions to ApplicantPositions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.We are only accepting applications submitted by September 12, 2026.The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:- Health and Life Insurance- Retirement Programs- Paid Tuition- Dependent Scholarships- Annual Leave- Sick Leave- 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)- Paid Parental Leave- Professional Development OpportunitiesClick_and_divisions%2Fhuman_resources%2Fcareers%2Findex.php&data=05%7C01%7CKURTRS%40email.sc.edu%7Ceca45df616784275e15908dab2a706ac%7C4b2a4b19d135420e8bb2b1cd238998cc%7C0%7C0%7C845870%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=j6sQGvabHDZHDmRBFwMrq8P8QCuDmChuJ%2FH5%2F8hDRUw%3D&reserved=0 to learn more about why you should work at USC.To apply, please visit: StatementThe University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities on the basis of race, sex, gender, gender identity, transgender status, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetics, protected veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions.je-391cf23342f4482fa5a9d8dae853c113
Benefits for State Employees
The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits
Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits
State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits
State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.