Director, Agentic AI Initiatives & Distributed AI Architecture

# Job Title:

Director, Agentic AI Initiatives & Distributed AI Architecture

# Location:

Charlotte, NC, Knoxville, TN, Palo Alto, CA

# Job Summary and Description:

# Director, Agentic AI Initiatives & Distributed AI Architecture

Position Purpose

EPRI is seeking a visionary Director to develop and lead two major initiatives:

- Agentic AI for Utilities of the Future: Innovate and deploy agentic AI solutions to enhance operational excellence for member utilities.

- Distributed AI Powering Architecture & Data Center Strategy: Develop a collaborative, distributed AI architecture (edge–core–cloud) to support next-generation data centers and application-centric business models.

In addition to developing and leading these two initiatives, this position will, on behalf of the CEO, lead an executive oversight framework for monitoring progress, issue resolution, and status updates for implementing epri.ai and the Emerging Technology Platform.

Key Responsibilities

- Strategic Leadership: Guide EPRI’s agentic AI initiative and distributed AI architecture initiatives, supporting digital transformation and future utility operations.

- Program & Project Management: Govern the AI portfolio, manage intake/triage, business cases, and stage-gates (Discovery Pilot Scale). Maintain master plans, schedules, and resource allocation. Oversee risks, issues, dependencies, and progress monitoring.

- RAID Discipline (Risks, Assumptions, Issues, and Dependencies): Maintain a structured log with quantified impact, owner, due date, and mitigation plans.

- Executive Reporting: Design dashboards for milestones, risks, budgets, and pilot outcomes. Prepare monthly CEO/ELT reports and decision/action trackers.

- Innovation & Execution: Translate strategy into pilots with utilities and tech partners, scaling successful pilots into standards or products.

- Governance & Assessment: Run structured evaluation processes and publish decisions and learnings.

- Collaboration & Influence: Partner internally and externally to accelerate adoption and represent EPRI in industry forums.

- Business Development: Identify AI-enabled revenue opportunities and support commercialization strategies.

Operating Cadence

- Weekly: Delivery stand-ups, RAID refresh (Risks, Assumptions, Issues, and Dependencies), cross-team unblock.

- Monthly: CEO/ELT dashboard reviews with pre-reads and action trackers.

- Quarterly: Deep dives on outcomes vs. Vision 2030, adjusted baselines, and investment prioritization.

Skills & Competencies

- Mastery in program/project management, executive reporting, architecture, MLOps, change management, agile delivery, member orientation, and risk/compliance.

- Strong analytics and dashboarding skills (Power BI/Tableau/Excel).

Qualifications

Required:

- Deep EPRI knowledge, proven record of complex initiative execution, expertise in operational AI applications, business development, and program management.

Preferred:

- Advanced degree (Engineering/CS), experience with distributed architectures and agentic systems, relevant certifications, exceptional leadership and communication.

Additional Requirements

- Ability to thrive in fast-paced environments, innovative mindset, flexibility for extended hours, and willingness to travel

The salary range for this position is $0 USD to $0 USD annually.This salary range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on various factors, including without limitation applicant's education, experience, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. The salary may also be adjusted based on applicant's geographic location.This role is eligible to participate in EPRI’s annual incentive program. The amount of incentive varies and is subject to the terms and conditions of the plan.This role is eligible to participate in EPRI’s standard employee benefit programs, which currently include the following: medical, dental, vision, 401k, STD/LTD and paid family leave, life and accident insurance, paid time off (flexible vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay).EPRI participates in E-Verify, an online system operated jointly by the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration (SSA). EPRI uses the system to check the work status of new hires by comparing information from the employee's I-9 form against SSA and Department of Homeland Security databases.EPRI is an equal opportunity employer. EEO/AA/M/F/VETS/DisabledTogether . . . Shaping the Future of Energy.www.epri.com