Head of Global Genai Lab

Heineken is launching a transformative Global GenAI Lab in Singapore to drive AI-powered innovation, insights, and productivity across all business functions. The Head of Global GenAI Lab will lead day-to-day operations, steering the lab toward impactful GenAI solutions that span Heineken's global markets. This strategic role encompasses overseeing project execution, fostering cross-functional partnerships, and ensuring alignment with Heineken’s digital transformation and growth objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

- Lab Leadership & Strategy
- Shape and drive the vision and roadmap for the GenAI Lab, ensuring alignment with Heineken's strategic digital transformation goals.
- Manage the lab’s operations, balancing immediate project deliverables with long-term strategic initiatives.
- Oversee budget, staffing, and resources, ensuring the team meets project milestones and delivers value to business stakeholders.
- GenAI Project Management
- Lead the development, deployment, and scaling of GenAI solutions across key business areas such as sales, marketing, supply chain, finance, legal, HR, and within the Digital & Technology function.
- Collaborate with global and regional teams, integrating GenAI solutions with existing data and digital infrastructure for seamless business impact.
- Monitor and communicate project progress, challenges, and results to senior stakeholders, offering insights on scalability and areas for optimization.
- Strategic Partnerships & Ecosystem Engagement
- Cultivate partnerships with key technology providers (e.g., Microsoft, SAP, Databricks, AI Singapore, Accenture) to advance the lab's initiatives and leverage best-in-class expertise.
- Foster a collaborative innovation ecosystem, connecting internal stakeholders, external partners, and academia to drive knowledge-sharing and GenAI advancements.
- Serve as the primary liaison with Heineken’s Global Cognitive Services Team, Global Hyperautomation Team, and Tiger Tribe to ensure alignment on GenAI priorities and implementations.
- Team Leadership & Development
- Build and mentor a high-performing team of GenAI specialists, fostering a culture of agility, creativity, and continuous improvement.
- Promote professional growth and a learning-oriented environment to ensure the team remains at the forefront of AI and industry developments.
- Facilitate knowledge sharing within the lab and with broader Heineken teams to maximize the impact of GenAI solutions.
- Stakeholder & Change Management
- Engage senior leadership with updates on GenAI initiatives, showcasing successful use cases and their impact on business value.
- Advocate for GenAI adoption within Heineken, driving awareness and alignment with the lab’s mission to enhance efficiency, innovation, and growth.

Key Requirements:

- Education: Master’s degree or PhD in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Data Science, or AI.
- Experience:

- Over 10 years in technology and AI/ML, with at least 5 years leading high-impact AI or innovation labs, preferably with a focus on GenAI.
- Proven track record of deploying GenAI solutions at scale, from ideation through to production, ensuring reliability, scalability, and security.
- Demonstrated experience collaborating with C-suite and senior stakeholders, with strong skills in aligning technical solutions to business outcomes.
- Technical Expertise:

- Strong understanding of GenAI frameworks, models, and ecosystems, including hands-on familiarity with tools like OpenAI, Microsoft Azure AI, or similar platforms.
- Experience in designing and optimizing machine learning pipelines, model lifecycle management, and MLOps practices for efficient and scalable AI deployment.
- Knowledge of data management best practices, data privacy, and ethical considerations in AI, with a focus on responsible AI principles.
- Skills:

- Visionary leadership with the ability to set and communicate a clear strategic direction for the lab.
- Exceptional project management, organizational, and people leadership skills, with a focus on developing and motivating high-performance teams.
- Strong partnership management skills to effectively collaborate with external providers and maximize the value of strategic alliances.
- Excellent communication and influence skills, adept at translating complex technical concepts into actionable business insights for stakeholders at all levels.