Managing Director ME&I

Company: VML South Africa
Location: Detroit
Posted on: March 26, 2025

Job Description:

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.The RoleThe marketing landscape is undergoing a profound transformation fueled by the rise of Artificial Intelligence. WPP Ford is seeking a visionary and experienced Managing Director of Artificial Intelligence to lead us into this exciting new era. This is not just about keeping pace with technology; it's about harnessing the power of AI to redefine what's possible in marketing. This critical role will spearhead the integration of AI technologies across our entire network, empowering our agencies to deliver unprecedented value to clients and drive transformative growth.The ideal candidate is a passionate AI evangelist with a proven track record of success in leveraging AI to solve real-world business challenges. They possess a deep understanding of the AI landscape, a strategic mindset, and exceptional leadership skills to drive AI adoption across a complex organization.Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement AI strategy: Define a comprehensive AI vision and roadmap for the holding company, outlining clear objectives, strategic priorities, and key performance indicators (KPIs). This strategy should be aligned with WPP Ford's overall business goals and tailored to the specific needs and capabilities of individual agencies. Included are product lead responsibilities for WPP Open, WPP's AI-powered integrated marketing operating system.
• Oversee AI initiatives: Lead the identification, evaluation, and implementation of AI solutions across a wide range of marketing disciplines, including:
• Creative: Leverage AI to enhance creative workflows, automate content generation, optimize design elements, and deliver personalized creative experiences across all channels.
• Build and manage AI Center of Excellence: Establish a centralized hub for AI expertise within the holding company. This Center of Excellence will serve as a resource for agencies, providing guidance on AI best practices, tools, technologies, and ethical considerations.
• Foster a culture of innovation: Champion a culture of AI adoption and experimentation throughout the holding company. Encourage agencies to explore new AI use cases, pilot innovative solutions, and push the boundaries of AI in marketing.
• Talent development: Identify, recruit, and develop top AI talent across the holding company. Implement training programs and knowledge-sharing initiatives to ensure agencies have the necessary skills and expertise to effectively leverage AI.
• Partnerships and collaborations: Cultivate strategic partnerships with leading AI technology providers, research institutions, and industry thought leaders. Collaborate with external partners to access cutting-edge AI solutions and stay ahead of the curve.
• Monitor industry trends: Continuously monitor emerging AI trends, advancements, and best practices within the marketing industry and beyond. Proactively adapt the AI strategy to capitalize on new opportunities and address potential challenges.
• Ethics and responsibility: Ensure the ethical and responsible use of AI across all agencies. Establish guidelines and frameworks for data privacy, algorithmic fairness, and transparency, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and industry standards.
• Media: Utilize AI for advanced audience targeting, campaign performance optimization, programmatic media buying, and real-time campaign adjustments.
• Data & Analytics: Implement AI-powered solutions for predictive modeling, customer insights generation, marketing attribution analysis, and data-driven decision making.
• Operations: Drive efficiency and productivity gains by automating workflows, optimizing internal processes, and intelligently allocating resources using AI.Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required:
  • 10+ years of experience in a leadership role within the AI/ML field, with a demonstrated track record of success in applying AI to solve complex business problems. Experience in the marketing or advertising industry is highly desirable.
  • Deep understanding of AI technologies and their applications in marketing, including machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, deep learning, and generative AI.
  • Proven ability to develop and implement AI strategies that drive measurable business results, including increased efficiency, revenue growth, and competitive advantage.
  • Strong business acumen and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to align AI initiatives with overall business objectives and identify new opportunities for value creation.
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Experience building, managing, and mentoring high-performing teams, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
  • Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field is preferred.The base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package.$125,000 - $295,000 USDAt VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward. Our Inclusion, Equity & Belonging initiatives reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in our communities and beyond. Our people are the heartbeat of our organization-creators, doers, innovators, makers, and thinkers-who drive not just marketing, but meaningful experiences that resonate in every action and interaction.Apply for this job
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Keywords: VML South Africa, Detroit , Managing Director ME&I, Executive , Detroit, Michigan