Chief of Staff and AI Officer

Purpose of the Role

This is a strategic dual-function executive role combining Chief of Staff responsibilities with leadership as Chief AI Officer. The role supports the CEO in aligning strategic initiatives across the WISeKey group and ensures that artificial intelligence is embedded as a core driver of innovation, product development, and operational efficiency. It also plays a central role in creating business synergies, driving cross-unit collaboration, and positioning WISeKey as a global leader in trusted, secure AI and embedded intelligence.

Key Responsibilities

1. Executive and Strategic Support

1. Support the CEO in driving corporate strategy and high-level decision-making processes and in coordinating operations
2. Formalize strategies and coordinate strategic alignment across all WISeKey subsidiaries.
3. Coordinate CEO-level priorities, board reporting, investor relations input, and follow-up actions.
4. Facilitate executive meetings, retreats, and planning cycles, ensuring cohesion across functions and geographies.
5. Prepare high-impact presentations, strategic documents, and external communication on behalf of the CEO.

2. Chief of Staff Functions

1. Manage the daily operations of the CEO’s office with a focus on strategic alignment, efficiency, and confidentiality.
2. Ensure effective internal communication and follow-through across key projects and deliverables.
3. Oversee the execution of and provide regular reporting on key strategic projects
4. Represent the CEO in high-level meetings and negotiations when required.
5. Drive internal change management processes, especially in alignment with AI-driven transformation.

3. Artificial Intelligence Strategy and Governance

At WISeKey, the role of the Chief AI Officer is to guide the organization’s AI strategy and ensure that AI technologies are effectively integrated into business operations and product lines. Key responsibilities include:

1. Develop and oversee the enterprise-wide AI strategy, ensuring alignment with WISeKey’s business goals and innovation roadmap.
2. Identify and lead the implementation of AI initiatives that drive revenue, reduce costs, enhance security, and deliver competitive advantage.
3. Ensure integration of AI technologies across SEALSQ’s semiconductor, cybersecurity, satellite, and post-quantum solutions.
4. Build internal capabilities including AI infrastructure, research partnerships, and talent development programs.
5. Lead the AI Governance Framework to promote ethical, human-centric, and regulatory-compliant AI across the group.
6. Engage with regulators, standards bodies, and strategic partners to keep WISeKey at the forefront of trustworthy AI development.
7. Represent WISeKey in global forums on AI ethics, post-quantum resilience, digital identity, and embedded AI systems.

4. Business Synergies and AI-Driven Growth

1. Create and execute strategies to leverage AI in developing new business models and market entry points.
2. Connect R&D, product, sales, and marketing teams through shared AI insights and tools (e.g., predictive analytics, intelligent automation, AI-enhanced CRM).
3. Use AI to drive innovation in chip design, cybersecurity protocols, satellite data analytics, and IoT edge computing.
4. Identify AI-based partnerships, M&A opportunities, and investment targets that align with SEALSQ’s growth strategy.
5. Ensure AI solutions contribute directly to shareholder value and sustainable impact.

Skills and Competencies

Executive & Strategic Skills

1. Strategic vision with ability to translate into cross-functional execution.
2. High-level communication, stakeholder engagement, and executive presentation skills.
3. Strong leadership, change management, and diplomatic capabilities in high-pressure environments.
4. Ability to navigate complex international, regulatory, and technical environments.
5. Proven project management expertise across multidisciplinary teams and timelines.

AI-Specific Skills for Business Synergy and Growth

1. AI Strategy Design: Ability to formulate scalable AI strategies across diverse business units.
2. Cross-Domain AI Integration: Experience embedding AI in embedded systems, semiconductors, cybersecurity, and IoT.
3. AI for Product Innovation: Deep understanding of applying AI in chip design, anomaly detection, secure communications, and post-quantum encryption.
4. AI-Driven Business Development: Use of AI tools for lead generation, market trend analysis, customer behavior prediction, and global sales growth.
5. AI Ethics & Compliance: Deep knowledge of international frameworks (EU AI Act, OECD, ISO/IEC standards), risk management, and trustworthy AI protocols.
6. Data Architecture & Security: Understanding of secure data infrastructure for federated learning, privacy-preserving AI, and confidential inference using techniques like homomorphic encryption.
7. Partnership Building: Ability to cultivate relationships with universities, startups, hyperscalers, and innovation hubs to accelerate AI capability.

Qualifications and Experience

1. Master’s or PhD in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Computer Science, Business Administration, or a related field.
2. 10+ years in senior leadership roles combining technology, AI, and strategic operations.
3. Proven track record of AI program deployment and enterprise-wide transformation in high-tech or industrial sectors.
4. Experience with embedded AI, post-quantum cryptography, secure identity systems, or chip-level security is a strong advantage.

Performance Indicators

1. Delivery and alignment of cross-functional strategic initiatives.
2. Measurable business value created through AI deployments (e.g., revenue uplift, product differentiation, cost savings).
3. Successful integration of AI across WISeKey business units.
4. Enhanced visibility and positioning of WISeKey in the global AI and cybersecurity ecosystem.
5. Stakeholder satisfaction (CEO, Board, partners) and operational efficiency of the CEO's office.