This role will define AFL's enterprise perspective on AI infrastructure and translate market, technology, and competitive shifts into actionable corporate and divisional strategies.
The successful candidate will bring a panoramic view of the AI infrastructure landscape, spanning power, compute, data centers, networks, and emerging AI technologies.
This is not a fiber optics, network engineering, or product engineering role; AFL already has deep technical expertise within its operating businesses. This leader will connect technology, economics, regulation, and infrastructure trends to AFL's long-term strategy and customer opportunities.
The role requires executive presence with Boards, C-Suites, customers, investors, and partners, combined with the ability to work hands-on with business leaders to translate strategy into execution.
Key ResponsibilitiesEnterprise Strategy LeadershipDefine AFL's strategic perspective on the AI infrastructure ecosystem and translate market, technology, and competitive trends into growth strategies, investment priorities, and long-range plans.
AI Infrastructure Market IntelligenceDevelop and maintain AFL's perspective on the AI infrastructure ecosystem, including power, grid modernization, data centers, cloud and edge computing, semiconductors, networking, cooling, and sovereign AI. Monitor hyperscalers, AI labs, utilities, communications providers, investors, and regulators to guide AFL's view of future market direction and strategic implications.
Strategic Foresight and Scenario PlanningLead long-range scenario planning on AI infrastructure, assessing implications of centralized versus distributed architectures, training and inference economics, agentic AI, sovereign AI, AGI, energy constraints, and regulatory shifts. Translate uncertainty into strategic recommendations, investment priorities, and competitive advantage for AFL.
Divisional Strategy PartnershipPartner with AFL's Products and Services leaders to align business strategies with evolving market opportunities, guiding growth priorities, market focus, resource allocation, partnerships, capabilities, and customer investment. Serve as a trusted advisor and servant leader who translates enterprise strategy into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.
Executive Communication and InfluenceDevelop executive narratives, Board materials, and strategic recommendations that translate complex market and technology developments into clear business actions. Support AFL leadership in customer, investor, and industry engagements and communicate AFL's strategic vision to executives, customers, partners, and external stakeholders.
Strategic Partnerships and Ecosystem DevelopmentIdentify and evaluate strategic partnerships, emerging technologies, investment opportunities, and new market entrants across the AI infrastructure ecosystem. Maintain a broad ecosystem perspective to inform AFL's growth strategy, capital allocation, competitive positioning, and enterprise-level strategic decisions.
Organizational LeadershipServe as the strategic partner and right hand to the Vice President of Corporate Strategy, helping shape AFL's long-term direction, strengthen enterprise planning capabilities, and develop future leaders. Demonstrate the judgment, leadership, and executive presence required to grow into broader enterprise strategy responsibilities.
Required QualificationsEducation- Bachelor's degree required; MBA, master's degree, or relevant advanced degree preferred.
- Preferred fields include Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Economics, Energy Systems, Public Policy, or related disciplines.
Experience- 12+ years of progressive leadership experience developing enterprise strategy, evaluating growth opportunities, and guiding business and investment decisions in complex technology, infrastructure, or industrial markets.
- Experience advising executive leadership teams.
- Strong understanding of AI, digital infrastructure, or adjacent technology markets.
- Experience operating in complex, cross-functional environments.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience in AI infrastructure, cloud, hyperscale, digital infrastructure, energy, telecommunications, or adjacent markets.
- Experience supporting executive teams, boards, or senior decision-making forums.
- Experience conducting scenario planning and strategic foresight exercises.
- Deep understanding of AI technology trends, infrastructure requirements, and ecosystem evolution, including agentic AI, inference, compute platforms, sovereign AI, and next-generation architectures.
- Experience developing investment theses, market-entry strategies, or growth strategies.
Leadership CompetenciesStrategic ThinkingIdentifies long-term trends and converts uncertainty into strategic choices.
Systems ThinkingConnects technology, infrastructure, economics, policy, customers, and competitors into a clear strategic view.
Executive PresenceBuilds credibility and influence with executives, customers, partners, and boards.
Business AcumenUnderstands the financial, operational, commercial, and strategic drivers of performance.
Innovation OrientationChallenges conventional thinking and identifies emerging opportunities.
Influence Without AuthorityBuilds alignment across organizational boundaries and drives results through collaboration.
Servant LeadershipEnables operating teams while maintaining a hands-on, practical approach.
Learning AgilityAdapts quickly to evolving technologies, markets, and business models.
Success MeasuresWithin the first 12 months, the successful candidate will:
- Establish AFL's corporate point of view on AI infrastructure.
- Build scenario-planning frameworks to guide executive decision making.
- Improve alignment between corporate and divisional strategies.
- Develop recommendations that influence resource allocation and investment priorities.
- Strengthen AFL's executive thought leadership on AI infrastructure.
- Demonstrate readiness for broader enterprise strategy leadership responsibilities.
Ideal Candidate ProfileThe ideal candidate is not primarily a fiber expert, network engineer, or product specialist.
They are a strategist who understands how AI infrastructure creates value across power, compute, communications, hyperscalers, inference, AI economics, and future technology trajectories. They combine executive-level strategic thinking with hands-on partnership with business teams to drive outcomes.
Most importantly, they possess the breadth, judgment, leadership capability, and presence to develop into AFL's future Vice President of Corporate Strategy.
