Senior Digital Transformation Manager (two posts) (Ref. 260730018-IE)

INSTITUTE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
 
Senior Digital Transformation Manager (two posts) (Ref. 260730018-IE)
 
Duties
 
With a mission to promote AI-driven digital transformation for education innovation, the Digital Transformation Division (DTD) of the Institute for Higher Education Research and Development (IHERD) seeks a high-caliber professional in Artificial Intelligence, AI Agents and Agentic AI who shares our vision of digital innovation.  We value a positive, future-focused mindset and a collaborative spirit to join our strong, dynamic team to partner with internal units and external technology providers to co-develop cutting-edge AI Agents and pilot advanced agentic AI solutions, keeping the Institute at the forefront of AI-driven digital technology.
 
The appointees will drive the development and adoption of an AI for automation across the following aspects:
 
(a) design and evolve a modern Agentic AI ecosystem, serving as the strategic architect for a platform that supports the creation, hosting and orchestration of multiple autonomous AI Agents integrated with teaching, learning and administrative systems;
 
(b) build and deploy practical AI Agents for workflow automation, utilising agentic AI capabilities (such as planning, reflection, and tool-use) to replace or augment traditional campus and pedagogical processes with specialised AI Agents;
 
(c) establish secure data-sharing frameworks for Agentic AI, ensuring that institutional data sources and knowledge bases are securely connected to AI Agents (using RAG and vector databases) to enable them to make accurate and context-aware decisions safely;
 
(d) drive campus-wide AI Agent co-creation and agentic readiness, collaborating with academic and administrative units to identify use cases, help them design their own custom AI Agents and build institutional competency in agentic AI technologies through targeted workshops, training and capacity-building initiatives;
 
(e) lead pilot projects for AI Agent deployment from concept to launch, ensuring these agentic systems deliver measurable efficiency gains and align with management priorities;
 
(f) collaborate closely with the Information Technology Services (ITS) Office and other business units to align data standards, streamline business processes, and ensure effective coordination for new digital solutions;
 
(g) represent the DTD in internal and external forums, demonstrating the capabilities of deployed AI Agents and translating complex agentic AI concepts into clear and strategic value for non-technical stakeholders; and
 
(h) perform any other duties as assigned by the Director of IHERD or his/her delegates. 
 
Qualifications
 
Applicants should have:
 
(a) a recognised degree, preferably with a higher degree, in Information Systems, Cognitive Science, Digital Strategy, Computer Science or a related discipline, with at least eight years of solid and professional experience, including a strong track record of designing, building, and deploying practical AI Agents and agentic AI solutions, preferably gained in a higher education or leading technology company setting;
 
(b) deep conceptual and practical knowledge of Agentic AI architectures and AI Agent design;
 
(c) proven experience in workflow reconstruction using Agentic AI, with a strong ability to analyse administrative bottlenecks and design specialised AI Agents (digital workers) to automate them;
 
(d) strong understanding of how to connect AI Agents to institutional data, specifically securing API integrations and database connections so agentic systems can safely query and write data;  
 
(e) excellent skills in strategic writing, such as drafting partnership proposals, AI Agent governance guidelines and functional requirements for development partners;
 
(f) the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, innovative environment and drive the change management needed to introduce AI Agents as digital co-workers; and
 
(g) an excellent command of both written and spoken English and Chinese, with fluency in Putonghua.
 
Shortlisted candidates may be invited to sit for a written test and deliver a presentation.
 
Applicants should submit their applications and CVs together with a personal statement that outlines their suitability for the positions, supported by relevant qualifications and experience.
 
Conditions of Service
 
A highly competitive remuneration package will be offered.  Initial appointment will be on a fixed-term gratuity-bearing contract.  Re-engagement thereafter is subject to mutual agreement.  
 
Application
 
Please submit an application through PolyU’s career website (https://jobs.polyu.edu.hk/management). Consideration of applications will commence on 14 August 2026 until the positions are filled.  The University’s Personal Information Collection Statement for recruitment can be found at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/hro/careers/pics_for_recruitment/.
 
PolyU is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to fostering an environment that embraces diversity and demonstrates inclusion of people from all backgrounds, cultures, identities and experiences where all members of the University are treated with fairness, dignity and respect.  To learn more about the University’s “Statement on Equal Opportunities, Diversity, and Inclusion”, please visit our website at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/hro/equal_opportunities_diversity_and_inclusion/.