Director of Artificial Intelligence & Innovation Milford, Ohio

Job Details: Job Location: 99-Milford Support Team - Milford, OH, Salary Range: Undisclosed, Director of Artificial Intelligence & InnovationJeff Wyler Automotive FamilyOn Site in Cincinnati, OhioCompensation: Competitive executive level compensation based on experiencePosition OverviewJeff Wyler Automotive Family is seeking an exceptional technology leader to help shape the future of our organization through artificial intelligence.We are looking for someone who understands where AI technology is today, where it is heading, and how to turn that knowledge into meaningful business results.This is not a traditional IT leadership position. We are looking for an innovative thinker, an accomplished technical expert, and a proven leader who can identify opportunities, develop solutions, and build the capabilities necessary to transform how we operate.The successful candidate will lead our AI strategy, evaluate emerging technologies, develop and implement AI solutions, and establish an AI function capable of supporting our continued growth.This individual will have the opportunity to build something from the ground up, with the resources, executive support, and organizational commitment necessary to make a significant impact.Key ResponsibilitiesAI Strategy & Innovation• Develop and execute a comprehensive AI strategy aligned with organizational objectives.• Identify opportunities to leverage AI across sales, service, customer experience, marketing, finance, human resources, and dealership operations.• Stay at the forefront of developments in artificial intelligence, including advancements from OpenAI, Meta, Anthropic, Google, and other leading technology organizations.• Evaluate emerging AI technologies and determine their potential applications within our business.• Partner directly with executive leadership to establish priorities, recommend investments, and drive innovation throughout the organization.AI Development & Implementation• Lead the design, development, integration, and deployment of AI solutions across the organization.• Develop and implement AI powered customer communication systems, including intelligent voice agents capable of answering calls, responding to inquiries, scheduling appointments, and supporting customer interactions.• Evaluate existing AI platforms and determine when to purchase, customize, integrate, or develop proprietary solutions.• Identify opportunities to automate business processes, improve operational efficiency, and enhance customer engagement.• Integrate AI capabilities with existing enterprise systems, customer relationship management platforms, and dealership technologies.• Establish appropriate standards for AI performance, reliability, data security, privacy, and responsible implementation.Leadership & Organizational Development• Establish and lead the organization's artificial intelligence function.• Determine the technical resources, talent, and infrastructure required to support the company's AI objectives.• Recruit, develop, and lead a team of AI engineers, developers, and other technical specialists as business needs evolve.• Collaborate with business leaders to identify challenges and implement practical solutions.• Establish measurable performance indicators to evaluate the effectiveness and financial impact of AI initiatives.• Promote an organizational culture that embraces innovation, experimentation, and continuous improvement.  What Makes This Opportunity DifferentThis is an opportunity to lead a significant technological transformation within an established automotive organization.Rather than inheriting an existing AI department or simply maintaining established systems, you will have the opportunity to develop the strategy, establish the capabilities, assemble the team, and influence how artificial intelligence is deployed throughout the business.You will work closely with executive leadership, have meaningful influence over technology investments, and help establish the foundation for the organization's future.We are seeking someone who is not simply interested in following developments in artificial intelligence, but someone who wants to help define what comes next.If you have the technical expertise, leadership capabilities, and vision to turn emerging technology into a competitive advantage, we want to hear from you.Qualifications: • Significant professional experience in artificial intelligence, machine learning, software engineering, or related technology disciplines.• Demonstrated success developing and deploying AI solutions in a production business environment.• Strong technical understanding of large language models, generative AI, AI agents, machine learning, natural language processing, and intelligent automation.• Experience with AI application development, APIs, enterprise integrations, and cloud technologies.• Experience designing, implementing, or integrating conversational AI and voice automation technologies is highly desirable.• Proven ability to translate complex technical capabilities into practical business solutions.• Experience leading technical teams, managing complex projects, and influencing executive leadership.• Strong understanding of emerging AI technologies, industry developments, and the competitive technology landscape.• Ability to evaluate commercial AI platforms while also directing the development of proprietary solutions.• Exceptional strategic thinking, problem solving, communication, and leadership skills.• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field preferred. Equivalent demonstrated technical expertise and accomplishments will be considered.Automotive industry experience is beneficial but not required. We are particularly interested in candidates who have successfully applied AI technologies to transform customer experiences, business operations, or enterprise processes.