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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

4. 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.
5. 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.
  • Competence in areas such as NLP, computer vision, and large language models (LLMs) to inform decision-making on GenAI applications and architecture.
• 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.