Director of AI

Director of AI Location: Chicago, IL (Remote Eligible – must be US based) Salary: $250,000 – 280,000 base + bonus We’re partnering with a global education technology company undergoing a major transformation from a traditional publisher into a data and AI driven digital learning platform. The organization is investing heavily in AI and advanced data capabilities to deliver personalized learning experiences at global scale.They are hiring a Director of AI to lead a team of AI researchers and data scientists responsible for developing and deploying advanced machine learning and Generative AI solutions across the enterprise.The Role:This is a highly strategic role that combines technical leadership, team management, and hands-on architectural oversight. The Director of AI will help define the long-term AI roadmap while working closely with product, engineering, and business stakeholders to bring production AI systems to life. What you’ll do:Lead and grow a team of AI researchers and data scientists, providing technical mentorship and career developmentDefine and execute the AI strategy and roadmap, with a strong focus on Generative AI capabilitiesPartner with product, engineering, and business teams to identify high-impact AI opportunitiesOversee the design, development, and deployment of production-grade AI and ML systemsTranslate complex technical work into clear insights for both technical and executive stakeholdersManage project timelines, priorities, and team resources to ensure successful delivery of AI initiativesWhat They’re Looking ForPhD in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Computer Science, or a related technical field8+ years of experience in AI, machine learning, or data scienceProven experience leading teams of AI researchers or data scientistsDeep expertise in machine learning, AI systems, and Generative AI technologiesStrong communication skills with the ability to present technical concepts to senior leadershipExperience collaborating cross-functionally with product, engineering, and business teamsNice to HaveExperience deploying Generative AI solutions in production environmentsExperience working in large-scale technology or digital product organizationsExposure to education technology or learning platformsThis role offers the opportunity to shape the AI strategy for a global platform impacting millions of learners worldwide, while leading a highly technical team working on cutting-edge machine learning systems.