AI Innovation & Vendor Management Lead

AI Innovation & Vendor Management Lead   Location: Wroclaw / Katowice - 2 days in office / 3 days remote   Let us introduce you the job offer by EY GDS Poland – a member of the global integrated service delivery center network by EY.   EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Technology is at the heart of what we do and deliver at EY. Technology solutions are integrated into the client services we deliver and are key to our innovation as an organization. Fuelled by strategic investment in technology and innovation, Client Technology seeks to drive growth opportunities and solve complex business problems through technology-enabled transformation, automation and modern digital capabilities. As part of Client Technology Operations & Support (O&S), you will work across global teams, vendors, engineering groups and business stakeholders to identify opportunities, accelerate innovation, improve operational efficiency and deliver measurable business value through AI, automation and emerging technologies.   The opportunity

Be responsible for defining and executing the O&S AI, Innovation and Automation strategy, aligned to Client Technology objectives and business priorities. Lead the identification, evaluation, prioritization and delivery of AI, automation and operational excellence initiatives across O&S. Own the innovation portfolio lifecycle from idea generation, business case development and funding through proof of concept, implementation, adoption and value realization. Establish strategic relationships with external partners and technology vendors to evaluate solutions, manage Statements of Work and support successful program delivery. Drive the adoption of AI-enabled capabilities, automation platforms and emerging technologies to improve operational efficiency, governance, service quality and customer experience. Develop trusted relationships with senior business stakeholders and technology leaders to understand operational challenges and translate them into scalable, measurable solutions. Provide leadership reporting, governance oversight and benefits tracking to ensure innovation investments deliver measurable business outcomes.

Your key responsibilities

Define, manage and maintain the O&S innovation roadmap and AI portfolio. Lead the development of business cases, ROI models, funding requests and value realization plans for innovation initiatives. Manage multiple concurrent AI, automation and transformation initiatives from concept through production deployment and operational handover. Engage with vendors and strategic partners to evaluate solutions, negotiate scope, review commercials and ensure delivery quality. Review and challenge technical designs, solution architectures, support models, governance processes and implementation approaches. Ensure Responsible AI, information security, governance and risk management requirements are integrated into innovation initiatives. Monitor program progress, risks, dependencies, milestones and benefits across the innovation portfolio. Collaborate with engineering, support, service management and business teams to drive adoption and reuse of successful capabilities. Produce concise executive updates and recommendations for senior leadership and governance forums.

Skills and attributes for success

Strong understanding of artificial intelligence, automation, emerging technologies and digital transformation. Ability to translate business challenges into practical innovation opportunities and measurable outcomes. Strong vendor, supplier and commercial management capability. Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills across organizational levels. Strong business case development, financial analysis and ROI modelling capability. Ability to balance strategic thinking with practical delivery execution. Strong program governance, risk management and