Director of AI & Technology

AD Talent is working with a client, looking to hire a Director of AI & Technology to own their AI strategy end-to-end — and actually build what they deploy. This is a hybrid role for a strategic operator who can sketch the roadmap on Monday, ship a working tool by Friday, and own the systems and security behind everything they deliver.You will be the central owner of AI across the business: identifying where AI creates real leverage and then designing, prototyping, and deploying those tools yourself or with a small number of vendors and contractors you manage. You will also own the data, systems, and security foundation that makes those tools possible — including integrations with NetSuite, Microsoft 365, and the core platforms our sales, design, and field teams rely on every day.This is not a ticket-taking IT role, and it is not a PowerPoint-only strategy role. It is a builder's role with strategic authority.What You'll OwnAI Strategy & RoadmapDevelop and own AI roadmap aligned with real business outcomes — not hypeIdentify high-impact use cases across all functional areas and prioritize by ROI and feasibilityEvaluate emerging tools and models; recommend what to adopt, what to ignore, and whyArchitect ATL’s AI ecosystem to balance effectiveness with costEducate leadership and staff on practical AI capabilities and limitationsBuilding & Deploying AI ToolsDesign, build, and maintain internal and client facing AI-assisted tools i.e. lighting and load calculators, submittal and spec-sheet generators, internal chatbots over knowledge, quoting, automated reportingIntegrate LLM APIs (OpenAI, Anthropic Claude, or equivalent) into workflowsDevelop customer-facing AI tools and experiencesBuild web-based internal apps, scripts, and REST API integrations end-to-endBuild for production from day one: modular architecture that evolves with ATL’s product lines, with grounding and validation layers that ensure accuracyRun pilots, measure adoption and impact, and scale what worksData, Systems & IntegrationsEstablish a centralized, secure, and well-structured data environment that AI tools can actually useOwn system architecture and integrations across NetSuite (ERP), CRM, PIM, Microsoft 365 / Exchange Online, quoting tools, and the websiteDefine and enforce data governance, access, and lifecycle standardsBuild and maintain company-wide knowledge base of Markdown files, capture SOP’s industry knowledge and company specific information to feed AI tools with structured contextDevelop IoT and networked-device integrations where they support field and controls work (MQTT, REST, TCP/IP)Security & RiskEnsure every AI tool and integration meets baseline security standards before it touches end users — authentication, access control, credential handling, data isolationSet and enforce policies for data privacy, AI usage, and vendor compliance and ensure company meets any industry or regulatory requirements tied to customer data handling, government contracts or product certificationsUnderstand the real risks of exposed APIs, unsecured databases, and leaked prompts — and build accordinglyProtect proprietary data from exposure.Define and enforce responsible AI use policies. Infrastructure & Internal SupportOwn internal IT infrastructure: networking, cloud services, endpoint devices, Microsoft 365 administrationServe as the Tier 2/3 escalation point for complex system issuesEvaluate, procure, and deploy technology that makes company operate betterManage external vendors and contractorsOwn disaster recovery and business continuity planning for technology systemsCross-Functional LeadershipTranslate business needs into technical solutions — and technical tradeoffs into plain language for leadershipPartner with the executive and leadership teams/subject matter experts to identify opportunities to shape AI strategy and solutions.Drive adoption of new tools across the company.What You BringRequired7+ years in technology, systems integration, IT leadership, or digital transformation — with real hands-on building experience, not just managementDemonstrated track record of shipping AI, automation, or data-driven tools inside a businessStrong software instincts: comfortable writing or reviewing code, building web apps, wiring up REST APIs, and integrating systemsHands-on experience with LLM APIs (OpenAI, Anthropic Claude, or similar) in production or production-adjacent useStrong understanding of system integration across ERP, CRM, and cloud platformsSecurity-conscious by default — Policy aware and able to spot and fix real vulnerabilitiesExperience managing Microsoft 365 / Exchange Online environmentsStrong communicator; can work independently and own projects end-to-end in a fast-moving environmentProven ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams from strategy to implementation. Genuine commitment to learning our business.PreferredExperience in architectural lighting, AV, building controls, or a manufacturer's rep agency / distributor / controls integratorFamiliarity with lighting controls platforms and commissioning (Casambi, DALI, 0-10V, or equivalent)ERP experience — NetSuite strongly preferredBackground in software development, data engineering, or systems architectureExperience with IoT protocols (MQTT, REST, TCP/IP), PCB design, embedded systems, or firmwareExposure to cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or similar)Experience leading change management