AI Director – Executive Leadership

Experienced AI Director – Build the Intelligence Layer of a Fast‑Scaling Media & Events Group

Remote considered

Executive Leadership | Reports to COO

A fast‑growing international media and events group is seeking an AI Director — a senior, strategic builder who can design the systems, standards and intelligence layer that will power the next stage of the organisation’s growth.

The business operates large‑scale conferences across Europe and North America, a daily news platform, a podcast network, an investigative content team, and an SEO affiliation arm. A new prediction‑markets media brand is launching in 2026. The company is 50 people today and scaling toward 100.

This is one of the most important hires of the year — a role that sits on the executive team and shapes how the entire organisation becomes AI‑native.

The Role

As AI Director, you will architect the systems, tooling and operational frameworks that allow a modern media and events organisation to operate at the frontier of AI.

You will build a coherent environment where research, knowledge, market intelligence and operational outputs accumulate as a shared company asset — lifting the work of every team.

The role begins as an individual contributor with budget for tools, contractors and future headcount as the function develops.

What You’ll Lead

• Systems Architecture

Design how tools, data and people connect. Define how information flows, where it lives, and how AI reads and writes against it.

• AI Standards

Create company‑wide standards for prompt design, agent patterns, file structures, naming conventions, safety and data policy.

• Central Intelligence Platform

Build or commission a system where research, contacts, market data, internal knowledge and operational outputs aggregate into a shared intelligence layer.

• Orchestration

Own the internal AI stack end‑to‑end. Ensure systems work together in a way that creates leverage, not just convenience.

• Capability Building

Raise AI fluency across the organisation. Coach leaders, run demos, and help teams understand what to automate — and what to keep human.

• Strategic Roadmap

Bring product thinking to AI. Identify what to build next, what to leave alone, and where AI can reshape the business model itself.

Who We’re Looking For

• You’ve built real systems in complex environments and made them coherent.
• You can read code, evaluate tools and communicate fluently with engineers.
• You think like a builder — comfortable with first‑principles thinking and shipping from scratch.
• You can teach, coach and elevate others.
• You’ve worked in (or deeply understand) events, media, content, marketing, conferences or adjacent industries.
• You understand the nuance of human‑led work: why sponsorship deals close, why delegates convert, why partners need a personal touch.
• You’re senior enough to sit on the leadership team and influence company strategy.

Who This Role May Not Suit

• Individuals whose strengths lie primarily in research rather than building and delivering operational systems
• Pure engineers who prefer to focus solely on technical execution without broader business context
• Professionals seeking a consultancy‑style engagement rather than an embedded leadership role
• Those who prefer highly defined briefs and may feel less comfortable operating in ambiguity or shaping direction from scratch

What’s In It for You

• Private health insurance (post‑probation)
• Employee Assistance Programme (including support for your family)
• Retail discounts platform
• Flexible working hours & remote‑friendly setup
• Access to a modern HQ with snacks, coffee and team socials
• A seat at the executive table with real influence on company direction

Why This Role Matters

You’ll be at the centre of how the organisation works, scales and innovates — building the systems that underpin a fast‑moving, high‑growth media and events group.

If you thrive on building, orchestrating and elevating how companies operate in an AI‑led world, this is a rare opportunity to make a defining impact.