Head of AI

Who we are

At illumin, we are transforming the advertising landscape. Our platform offers an integrated space for journey planning, execution, and reporting. It empowers marketers to connect with their audiences in powerful ways through real-time data and easy-to-use visual tools. By seamlessly combining media planning and buying in an intuitive interface, marketers can take complete control of their campaigns, meeting customers wherever they are in the buying journey and maximizing the impact of their ad spend through personalized insights for smarter decision-making.

We are at a pivotal moment, evolving into a product-led company with a team of over 100 skilled professionals and new leadership guiding our path forward. By harnessing the power of data, advancing our AI capabilities, and deeply investing in our people, we are preparing for a future that will redefine what's possible in journey advertising.

Our work is guided by two beliefs: that the ability to execute is paramount to success and that we are only as good as our people. As we grow and transform, we are looking for team members (illumineers) who share our bias for speed, delivery over perfection, and an entrepreneurial mindset. Joining us now is a chance to be part of our transformation.

Who we need

Reporting to the Vice President of Artificial Intelligence (AI), we are looking for a Head of AI to lead and empower a team of AI specialists and machine learning engineers. In this role, you will balance technical leadership with strategic execution, ensuring the development and implementation of AI solutions that drive business impact. You will guide the team, foster collaboration, and contribute to the advancement of AI capabilities within the organization.

This is a full-time, on-site opportunity working Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays in our downtown Toronto office. Our headquarters are located within minutes of St. Andrew and Union subway stations.

What's in it for you

Leadership with impact. You will lead a team of AI professionals, setting the vision for AI initiatives while directly contributing to the development of machine learning models and AI-driven solutions. Your leadership will directly shape how AI enhances decision-making, efficiency, and business performance across the organization.

Strategic influence. You will collaborate cross-functionally to align AI strategies with broader business goals. You will ensure AI solutions address real-world challenges and drive measurable outcomes, bridging the gap between technical innovation and business success.

Professional growth. You will work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment that values innovation and continuous learning. You will have the opportunity to refine AI models, improve operational processes, and mentor a high-performing team. As the organization continues to expand its AI capabilities, your role will evolve, offering increasing scope for impact and career development.

How you will make an impact

• Lead by example. You will manage, mentor, and support a team of AI specialists and machine learning engineers. You will create an environment that encourages collaboration, continuous learning, and technical excellence.
• Develop AI solutions. You will design, develop, and implement AI-driven solutions that enhance business operations. You will ensure that AI models align with company objectives and provide meaningful insights that inform decision-making.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration. You will work closely with teams across the organization to integrate AI into key business functions. You will translate complex technical concepts into actionable strategies for non-technical stakeholders.
• Optimize performance. You will oversee AI projects, balancing immediate needs with long-term goals. You will help prioritize initiatives, refine the AI roadmap, and ensure projects are completed efficiently and effectively.
• Foster talent growth. You will provide hands-on coaching, support professional development, and ensure the team has the skills and tools needed to stay ahead in an evolving field.
• Ensure scalability and sustainability. You will contribute to operationalizing AI strategies, ensuring AI solutions are scalable, reliable, and adaptable to changing business needs.

What you bring

• The passion for innovation. You bring a strategic and tactical mindset and can set the overall vision while ensuring that day-to-day projects deliver results. You are familiar with AI applications in the advertising and marketing industry and understand the unique challenges and opportunities within the sector. You stay ahead of emerging AI trends and continuously explore new technologies to enhance AI capabilities and business impact.
• The leadership and technical expertise. You have extensive experience leading AI teams, with a proven ability to balance management responsibilities with technical contributions. You are comfortable guiding teams while working directly on AI model development and deployment. You have the business acumen and insights to identify opportunities where AI can improve organizational outcomes, contribute to revenue growth, increase operational efficiency, and inform strategic decision-making. You can present findings, justify decisions, and align AI initiatives with business priorities.
• The AI and data science proficiency. You have extensive experience building, training, and deploying AI and machine learning models that are scalable and resilient. You understand the complexities of working with large datasets and can develop solutions that drive business value. You have exposure to cloud-based AI and machine learning infrastructure.
• The interpersonal skills. You have professional written and verbal communication skills and a proven ability to translate complex AI concepts for a non-technical audience. You can position yourself as a trusted advisor, providing actionable insights and influencing the decisions of high-level stakeholders across different departments.

What else should you know about us?

We are undergoing a transformative shift. We are embracing change and the opportunities that come with it, empowering every illumineer to innovate, experiment, and bring forward new ideas. Whether accessing new technology, restructuring workflows, or expanding your team, you will have full support if you can make the business case.

We are a broad and diverse team, but we all share a passion for success, a drive to do more, and a love of creating connections. We hire for talent and commitment and provide the guidelines and guidance to elevate skills, knowledge, and abilities across all areas. This is a place where proven methods meet bold ideas, offering opportunities to grow personally and professionally.

To support a healthy work-life balance, we offer a flexible work environment, a meal credit for your in-office days, and a free massage with an RMT in-house every eight weeks. That is in addition to our comprehensive benefits, which include life, AD&D, long-term disability insurance, and coverage for prescriptions, dental, vision, mental health, and professional health services. You will also have access to a workplace advisor, the Vitality Wellness app, and a $300 annual healthcare spending account.

Apply now

If you want to seize the opportunity to impact a company and influence an industry, and you have 70% of what we are looking for, apply now. We can't promise an interview, but we will consider your whole application.

What you can expect from our interview process:

• A virtual interview with a senior Talent Advisor to discuss your experience and interest in the role and an online technical assessment.
• An in-person technical interview with the Hiring Manager to understand your strengths and discuss your experience.
• An in-person with the CITO to further explore your experience and discuss how it aligns with the needs of the team and our clients. It will be an opportunity to ask any final questions about the role, team and product trajectory.

illumin is firmly committed to diversity within its community and welcomes applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous People of North America and the world, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

We are committed to providing equitable opportunities in employment and to providing a workplace which is free from discrimination and harassment. We are equally committed to providing an inclusive and accessible workplace. If you require accommodations at any stage of the interview process, please email us at hr@illumin.com .

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