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 development
• Define and execute the AI strategy and roadmap, with a strong focus on Generative AI capabilities
• Partner with product, engineering, and business teams to identify high-impact AI opportunities
• Oversee the design, development, and deployment of production-grade AI and ML systems
• Translate complex technical work into clear insights for both technical and executive stakeholders
• Manage project timelines, priorities, and team resources to ensure successful delivery of AI initiatives

What They’re Looking For

• PhD in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Computer Science, or a related technical field
• 8+ years of experience in AI, machine learning, or data science
• Proven experience leading teams of AI researchers or data scientists
• Deep expertise in machine learning, AI systems, and Generative AI technologies
• Strong communication skills with the ability to present technical concepts to senior leadership
• Experience collaborating cross-functionally with product, engineering, and business teams

Nice to Have

• Experience deploying Generative AI solutions in production environments
• Experience working in large-scale technology or digital product organizations
• Exposure to education technology or learning platforms

This 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.