Team Leader – Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI)& Digital Transformation for MSMEs

Celebrating over fifteen years of innovative and collaborative work, Athena Infonomics has established itself as a data-driven global consultancy that leverages social science research, data science, and technology to provide user-centric, context-specific solutions and advice to decision makers. Our multidisciplinary and multi-cultural team of 75+ professionals spread across Asia, Africa, US and Europe exemplify extensive experience in designing and applying research methods to co-design and co-produce useful research that is inclusive and relevant.

Our team of data scientists apply agile programming and ICT tools in order to deliver responsive and practical data and digital solutions—making for an innovative, technology-oriented business model that sets us apart in the international development space.

The international business community is taking notice of this unique approach: in 2021 alone, Athena Infonomics was recognized on The Financial Times, Nikkei Asia, and Statista’s High-Growth Companies Asia-Pacific 2021 and 2022 ranking, and was selected as one of The Economic Times and Statista’s 2021, 2022 and 2023 India Growth Champions. 

Position Overview: Athena will be assisting in the launch of a national-level project to accelerate AI adoption among Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs). The project aims to create a replicable, evidence-driven model that enables MSMEs to understand, adopt, and scale AI solutions backed by a robust ecosystem of service providers, policy support, skill upgradation and financing pathways.

We are looking for a mission-driven, entrepreneurial leader with deep experience working with MSMEs and industrial clusters, who understands how real operations, data flows, and production decisions work on the factory floor and can translate these into actionable, high-impact AI and digital transformation opportunities. This individual must be equally comfortable engaging with SME owners and operators, industry bodies, technology providers, and senior government stakeholders, and must excel at orchestrating complex, multi-phase programs involving field diagnostics, data readiness, model deployment, and ecosystem building. 

The right candidate will pair strategic vision with execution discipline, who can build institutional practice while delivering a national AI project with rigor, speed, and clarity. The Team Leader will report directly to the Director for AI and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Services, and will play a central role in shaping Athena’s applied AI portfolio and its long-term impact on MSME competitiveness and digital maturity – both within India and other emerging markets (particularly Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East / North Africa, and/or SE Asia).

We are seeking a visionary leader to spearhead a National MSME Applied AI Project that will transform how MSMEs leverage artificial intelligence for growth and competitiveness. In this role, you will drive end-to-end strategy—from identifying high-impact AI use cases and assessing digital readiness to shaping practical solution blueprints that deliver measurable results. You will build powerful partnerships across government, industry bodies, academia, and technology providers, champion knowledge-sharing initiatives, and influence policy frameworks that accelerate adoption. Leading a multidisciplinary team, you will ensure rigorous delivery, foster innovation, and create scalable models that redefine the future of MSMEs in priority sectors. 

The Team Leader will serve as the primary liaison for the Client Ministry and other participating Ministries, Industry Partners, and other project stakeholders and shall: 

1. Lead a National MSME Applied AI Program: Provide overall direction and delivery oversight for a national-level initiative to identify, design, and enable high-impact AI use cases for MSMEs across priority sectors.

2. Drive MSME-Centric Problem Discovery: With the support of a fit-for-purpose program team, oversee and guide field immersions and diagnostic assessments to understand production workflows, data gaps, and operational bottlenecks, and translate these into actionable, solvable AI opportunities.

3. Assess Digital and Data Readiness: Oversee digital maturity assessments, data pipeline mapping, and instrumentation analyses to determine feasibility and prioritize use cases based on MSME readiness and impact.

4. Shape Practical AI and Digital Solution Blueprints: In concert with an AI/ML solution development strategist and design lead, advance the development of implementation blueprints that combine data requirements, workflow redesign, ROI models, financing options, and change management plans suited to MSME contexts.

5. Build and Manage Ecosystem Partnerships: Cultivate strong relationships with ministries, industry bodies, MSME associations, AI service providers, and automation firms to support adoption and scale.

6. Drive Knowledge, Communication, and Adoption Efforts: Leveraging project-linked communications and research analyst resources, drive knowledge dissemination through webinars, national workshop, showcases, technology matchmaking, and clear knowledge of products that support MSME decision-making and industry engagement. Demonstrate thought leadership through engagements with national and international organizations.

7. Translate Evidence into Policy and Incentives: Collaborate with government partners to align scheme design, financing support, and policy incentives that accelerate AI adoption among MSMEs.

8. Lead and Grow a Multidisciplinary Team: Provide direction, mentorship, and quality assurance for a team of sector experts, data specialists, AI/ML practitioners, researchers, and communications professionals.

9. Ensure High-Quality Delivery and Adaptive Learning: Establish strong delivery systems, feedback loops, and continuous learning processes to maintain rigor, respond to field insights, and refine approaches over time.

• Leadership of MSME-focused programs in digital transformation, Industry 4.0, AI adoption, automation, quality systems, or cluster modernization in India

• Hands-on exposure to MSME production environments such as textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals / MedTech, automotive components, or food processing in India

• Experience running multi-component, multi-stakeholder programs with government, industry associations, and technology providers.

• Demonstrated experience leading multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary teams in the capacity of Team Leader / Project Director / Chief of Party for a multi-year program in India at the national or state level

• Experience in consulting / management consulting / social impact sector or related fields

• Strong understanding of the complete AI lifecycle: data → model → deployment → iterative improvement.

• Experience with data systems used in MSMEs (PLC data, QA/inspection data, ERP/MIS, IoT/sensors).

• Familiarity with mapping of instrumentation requirements and ability to assess data requirements and data quality.

• Familiarity with cost-benefit modelling and ROI calculations for MSMEs.

• Ability to conduct factory-floor walkthroughs and operator interviews.

• Ability to diagnose workflow bottlenecks, skill gaps, and process inefficiencies.

• Experience in change management and providing adoption support within MSME contexts.

• Proven ability to scale a practice area or portfolio.

• Strong positioning, partnership-building, and fundraising skills.

• Experience translating evidence into policy and scheme recommendations.

• Brings and executes a ‘systems thinking’ approach in problem identification, synthesis, and solution design simplify complexity while driving impact.

• Strong communication and diplomacy across owners, operators, bureaucrats, and technologists. 

• Ability to lead and deliver results in ambiguous work environments

• Advanced degree (Master’s) in business administration / economics / public policy / business / engineering or related discipline

• Graduate in technology / engineering / science from a reputed academic institution in India or abroad

• Candidates with an MBA shall be preferred. 

· This position requires successful completion of a reference check and employment verification.

· The successful candidate must not be subject to employment restrictions from a former employer (such as a non-compete) that would prevent the candidate from performing the job responsibilities as described.

· Only candidates who have India work authorization will be considered. 

Athena Infonomics is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.