AI Program Director (Construction Systems)

Overview

Lead AI strategy and implementation for construction systems to improve productivity, safety, cost.

Key Responsibilities

• ai roadmap
• system integration
• data governance
• use‑case prioritization
• vendor management
• change management

Tasks

-Develop and execute the AI roadmap for construction systems (e.g., project planning & scheduling, site monitoring, quality/safety automation, predictive maintenance of equipment, supply chain/logistics optimization). -Lead a cross-functional team (data scientists, AI/ML engineers, construction operations leads, IT/infrastructure, change management, field SMEs) to deliver AI programs from concept through deployment, monitoring, and continuous improvement. -Gain buy-in from field operations: ensuring that AI tools are usable, trusted, and embraced by crews and project managers who may be conservative. -Oversee program governance: define KPIs, track outcomes, manage budgets, resources, timelines, and risks; produce reports for senior leadership. -Integration across systems: linking field sensors, BIM, ERP, scheduling systems, site cameras/drones, supply chain data and ensuring interoperability is non-trivial. -Manage vendor/partner relationships (for AI platforms) and ensure value, scalability, and contract governance. -Measured improvements in key construction metrics: schedule adherence, cost variance, productivity (labor, equipment), safety incident rates, quality defect reductions. -Establish and enforce standards for data governance, data quality, model validation, ethical/transparent AI use (especially since construction involves safety, compliance, risk). -Collaborate with IT/infrastructure to ensure the necessary platforms, tools, integration (e.g., IoT sensors on site, drones/imagery, BIM systems, ERP/Project systems) are in place to support AI systems. -Identify and prioritize high-impact use cases in the construction domain (for example: automated defect detection from site imagery, schedule delay prediction, materials logistics optimization, generative design, risk modelling) — drawing from construction domain knowledge and AI potential. -Drive change management: build AI literacy across the construction organization (from field crews to project managers to executives), promote adoption of AI-driven workflows, train and reskill workforce as needed. -Work closely with executive leadership to align AI initiatives with company strategic goals (e.g., productivity improvement, risk reduction, sustainability, digital transformation). -Stay abreast of emerging AI technologies, construction tech (PropTech, ConTech), industry best practices and regulatory standards; ensure the organization remains ahead of the curve. -Ensure that construction-specific constraints (site safety, labor variability, weather, supply chain disruption, regulatory/compliance) are accounted for in AI models and system design.

Requirements

• bim
• iot
• ai/ml
• data governance
• leadership
• roi

What You Bring

-Deep understanding of construction operations, systems and the typical pain-points (cost/schedule overruns, productivity constraints, safety risks, logistics/forecasting) so that AI use-cases are grounded in real world value. -Scalability: Pilots are easier; turning successful pilots into enterprise-wide programmed across multiple projects/sites is the real challenge. -Change agent: able to drive cultural transformation around technology adoption, training, reskilling in the construction workforce. -ROI/benefit realization of AI program (cost savings, risk mitigation, efficiency improvements). -Expertise: Intelligent, innovative, and coachable. -Own it: Reliable, responsible, follows through, trustworthy, thorough. -Positivity: Easy to work with, trusting, team player, and good communicator. -Construction environments are complex and dynamic: field conditions change, data is often messy, multiple stakeholders (client, contractor, subcontractors, regulators). AI solutions must be robust to variability, site constraints and unpredictable factors (weather, supply delays, labor). -Experience leading multidisciplinary teams (technical and operational) and managing large budgets, multiple programs simultaneously. -Number of high-impact AI use-cases successfully piloted and transitioned into full production. -Excellent communication skills across all levels (field crews, project managers, senior executives), able to explain complex technical concepts in simple terms and drive adoption. -Strong governance mindset: data governance, model validation, ethics of AI, risk management. -Demonstrated ability to translate business/operational objectives into AI/data science deliverables and ROI metrics. -Strong track record delivering AI, ML, analytics, digital transformation programs – ideally in industrial, construction, engineering, or infrastructure sectors. -Familiarity with construction technologies: BIM/Modelling, IoT/sensors, drone/imagery, project management software, ERP systems, scheduling tools. -Experience in construction (project delivery, operations, systems) with leadership experience in technology or process transformation.

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Benefits

At Kovach, we believe in sharing our success with the people who make it possible. Our employees are the driving force behind everything we achieve, which is why we proudly offer an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). This program allows you to become an owner of the company, giving you a direct stake in its growth and prosperity. As the company continues to succeed, so does the value of your shares, offering you a powerful opportunity to build wealth and benefit from our long-term success. With an ESOP, your contributions directly impact both your future and the company’s future, creating a true partnership in our continued growth. -Comprehensive dental insurance -Health savings account -Health insurance -Employee assistance program -Flexible spending account -401(k) matching

About Kovach

-Founded in 1969 in Scottsdale, Arizona by Stephen E. Kovach III, it has evolved over 50 years into a facade specialist. -Now headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, it engineers, fabricates, and installs metal panels, curtainwalls, glass, and stone systems. -Typical projects include university research centers, municipal buildings, commercial towers, airport terminals, and sports venues. -Award-winning work spans Mesa City Hall, Phoenix Mercury Training Facility, Footprint Center refresh, and U of A’s CAMI lab. -Named a Great Place to Work in 2024–25.

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