Head of Technology and R&D

Overview

Within Agorai Innovation Hub SpA, we are looking for a talented and proactive resource to join the team as a Head of Technology and R&D who will work within as the driving force behind the company's applied AI research agenda. The role sits at the intersection of technology leadership, project execution and client relations, with full responsibility for delivering results across four strategic verticals.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coordinate and motivate multidisciplinary teams — including PhD researchers, data scientists and external consultants — across four applied AI verticals: Healthcare, Finance, Mobility & Transport, and Regenerative Agriculture
• Define and execute the R&D roadmap in alignment with corporate strategy and client needs, ensuring deliverables meet quality, timeline and budget requirements
• Act as the primary technical interface with industrial, public and private clients, managing expectations, communicating progress and translating business challenges into AI-driven solutions
• Oversee the design, development and validation of AI/ML models and applications, ensuring scientific rigour and industrial applicability
• Identify and evaluate emerging AI technologies, research trends and innovation opportunities relevant to the company's verticals
• Establish project management frameworks, workflows and reporting processes to ensure operational excellence and delivery predictability
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with universities, research centres, technology partners and institutional stakeholders
• Recruit, develop and retain top technical talent, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability and continuous learning
• Report directly to the CEO, providing regular updates on project status, KPIs, risks and strategic opportunities

Requirements

Our ideal candidate will meet the following requirements:

• Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Engineering or a related STEM field;
• 5–12 years of experience in technology, AI/ML and R&D roles, ideally with significant international exposure (experience outside Italy strongly preferred)
• Demonstrated track record of delivering applied AI projects in enterprise or institutional contexts — not purely academic
• Previous experience managing multidisciplinary teams, including researchers and PhD-level professionals
• Experience working across one or more of the following sectors: Healthcare, Financial Services, Mobility/Transport, Agriculture

Technical Skills

• Strong command of AI/ML methodologies: supervised and unsupervised learning, NLP, computer vision, time-series analysis, LLMs and generative AI
• Ability to critically evaluate AI models, architectures and their fitness-for-purpose in industrial applications
• Familiarity with the full AI project lifecycle: from problem framing and data strategy to model deployment and monitoring
• Solid project management skills; knowledge of agile/scrum frameworks or equivalent methodologies

Soft Skills

• Entrepreneurial mindset: takes ownership, operates with autonomy and drives things forward without waiting for direction
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills: able to interact effectively with both technical teams and C-suite executives or institutional clients
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to inspire and develop research talent
• Problem-solving orientation with a bias for action and results
• Comfortably operating in a dynamic, fast-moving scale-up environment with evolving priorities

Company Profile

The Agorai Innovation Hub S.p.A is a pioneering research ecosystem based in Trieste, dedicated to leveraging Data Science and Artificial Intelligence to enhance the quality of life. Supported by a consortium of institutions and companies, including the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, Generali, Fincantieri, Illycaffè, and several universities, the hub's mission is to cultivate talent, facilitate knowledge transfer, and nurture the development of innovative startups. Key research areas encompass health and well-being, regenerative agriculture, mobility and transport, and finance. Strategic partners for the project include Google Cloud, Deloitte, and Goldman Sachs.

#J-18808-Ljbffr