Lead the Operationalization of AI Strategy Across the Advertising Ecosystem

Interactive Advertising Bureau is seeking a Director, AI with a focus on executing frameworks, managing cross-industry collaboration, and supporting the strategic development of AI governance, transparency, and use case guidance for the advertising industry.

AI is transforming every aspect of advertising, from creative production and personalization to measurement, transparency, and ethical deployment. This role is designed for someone who can translate strategic vision into operational execution, manage complex stakeholder relationships, and deliver high-quality work products that advance industry adoption of responsible AI practices.

If you're equally comfortable managing working groups, drafting governance frameworks, coordinating cross-functional teams, and translating complex AI concepts into actionable guidance for the advertising industry, this role offers the opportunity to shape how the industry adopts and governs AI.

What You'll Do

Execute the AI Strategic Roadmap

• Partner with the VP to execute the strategic roadmap for AI, identifying the highest-impact opportunities for industry leadership.

• Identify emerging AI trends and industry challenges across brands, agencies, publishers, and technology providers.
• Support the integration of AI strategy across other categories including Commerce, Video, Audio, Creator, Gaming, Education & Measurement and the IAB Research team.

Drive Industry Collaboration & Working Groups

• Lead and facilitate AI working groups, committees, and task forces with participation from brands, agencies, publishers, platforms, and technology providers.
• Support the VP in managing the AI Committee (monthly meetings, member engagement, content development, speaker coordination).
• Support the AI Board programming (executive-level advisory board with senior leaders from major companies).
• Plan, coordinate, and execute workshops, roundtables, webinars, and industry sessions.

Create & Deliver High-Quality Content

• Author or co-author thought leadership including frameworks, best practices, playbooks, whitepapers, blog posts, and presentation decks.
• Conduct research and analysis to inform AI frameworks, playbooks, and industry guidance.
• Review other categories’ work products (Commerce, Video, Audio, Creator, Gaming, Education & Measurement) to ensure alignment with AI themes.
• Partner with Research team on AI-focused studies and data analysis that support strategic objectives.
• Develop educational content for members on AI adoption, governance, and implementation.
• Support speaking opportunities and industry representation at conferences and events.

Manage Operational Excellence

• Oversee multi-stakeholder project workflows, ensuring clarity, momentum, and on-time delivery.
• Work cross-functionally with project management team, Marketing, and Events to operationalize AI initiatives.
• Maintain project documentation, member feedback loops, and progress tracking.
• Coordinate AI content integration into major organizational events (ALM, Global Summit, webinars).

Who You Are

• 6+ years of experience in AI strategy, marketing technology, digital advertising, or adjacent fields. Experience with AI implementation, strategy, or product development strongly preferred.
• Strong AI fluency - comfortable with generative AI, machine learning applications, and responsible AI practices.
• Analytical and strategic - able to translate complex AI concepts into clear, actionable guidance for marketing and advertising professionals.
• Excellent project management skills - proven ability to manage multiple stakeholders, deadlines, and deliverables simultaneously.
• Strong communicator - exceptional written and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting to senior executives and facilitating group discussions.
• Collaborative and diplomatic - able to build consensus among diverse stakeholders with competing priorities.
• Detail-oriented with strategic thinking - can manage operational execution while understanding the bigger picture.
• Self-starter - comfortable working independently with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment.
• Collaborative and diplomatic - able to work effectively with cross-functional teams.

Bonus Points If You Have

• Experience at a brand, agency, publisher, ad tech platform, or industry organization working on AI initiatives.
• Prior work developing industry standards, frameworks, or best practices.
• Familiarity with AI governance, ethics frameworks, transparency standards, or regulatory compliance (EU AI Act, state-level AI laws).
• Experience managing committees, working groups, or cross-industry collaboration initiatives.
• Public speaking experience or thought leadership publication history.
• Technical background or hands-on experience with AI tools and platforms.

Why This Role Stands Out

• Shape Industry Standards: Help define the frameworks and best practices that govern AI adoption across advertising.
• Cross-Industry Impact: Work with brands, agencies, publishers, platforms, and technology providers at the forefront of AI transformation.
• Strategic + Operational Leadership: Balance hands-on execution with strategic thinking to drive meaningful industry change.
• High Visibility: Work directly with senior executives, participate in flagship events, and contribute to market-moving thought leadership.
• Growing Field: AI is the fastest-evolving area in advertising - be at the center of defining its future.

Why You'll Love IAB:

• We team up and we work with experts in the industry. We can promise you'll work with some of the industry's most innovative and interesting people. We work hard, and we have fun too. We care deeply about our work and each other.
• We are purposeful, strategic, and mindful with our decisions, words, and behaviors.
• Everybody sweeps. No task is ever too small for our team. We sweat the details and are not afraid to get our hands dirty.
• We lead the future together and cultivate the action mindset to create it.
• We cultivate curiosity, take risks, learn by doing, and reward future thinking.
• We encourage all voices. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to share their thoughts and ideas. We embrace the idea that debate is healthy and know that an impassioned discourse leads to our best results.
• We stay hungry. We look for the most complex challenges and tasks and once we master them, we look for the next one. We celebrate our victories and are always excited for tomorrow, knowing "good enough" is never really "good enough."

Our Mission: 

"At IAB, our mission is to empower the media and marketing industries to thrive in the digital economy." 

Our Core Values: 

• bCourageous: We embrace the unknown and navigate uncharted waters with confidence. We’re not afraid to take bold steps, challenge the status quo, and turn obstacles into opportunities. At IAB, courage is our compass. 
• bCurious: Curiosity fuels our innovation. We’re relentless in our pursuit of knowledge, always asking “why” and “what if.” Curiosity opens doors to new ideas, and at IAB, those doors are always wide open. 
• bCollaborative: We understand that magic happens when we come together. Collaboration is in our DNA, and we thrive on the diverse perspectives and ideas that our team brings. Together, we create solutions that break boundaries. 
• bCommitted: Our dedication knows no bounds. We’re committed to our mission and each other, going the extra mile to achieve our goals. Our unwavering commitment is the backbone of our success.   

About IAB The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) empowers the media and marketing industries to thrive in the digital economy. Its membership comprises more than 700 leading media companies, brands, agencies, and the technology firms responsible for selling, delivering, and optimizing digital ad marketing campaigns. The trade group fields critical research on interactive advertising, while also educating brands, agencies, and the wider business community on the importance of digital marketing. In affiliation with the IAB Tech Lab, IAB develops technical standards and solutions. IAB is committed to professional development and elevating the knowledge, skills, expertise, and collaboration of the workforce across the industry. Through the work of its public policy office in Washington, D.C., the trade association advocates for its members and promotes the value of the interactive advertising industry to legislators and policymakers. Founded in 1996, IAB is headquartered in New York City.

IAB is a proud equal-opportunity employer. We are a drug-free EEO employer committed to a diverse workforce. We will consider all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity, family responsibilities, disability, education, political affiliation or veteran status.  

For more information, please visit https://www.iab.com