Director, AI Delivery and Innovation - Data & Technology
OMERS Ventures
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Role Summary
Reporting to the SVP, Platform Engineering, AI and Advanced Analytics, as the Director of AI Delivery and Innovation, your primary accountability is to lead the rapid delivery of AI solutions that align with the OMERS enterprise AI strategy and create measurable business impact. You will establish and oversee an innovation function designed to accelerate prototyping and experimentation with AI and other technologies, in close collaboration with internal business partners. Leveraging your expertise in AI solution delivery and innovation practices, you will work across the Data & Technology (“D&T”) team to ensure seamless execution, strong stakeholder engagement, and effective transition of successful prototypes into production.
Key Responsibilities
Drive end-to-end delivery of AI solutions, from concept through deployment, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and business needs.
Collaborate closely with the Director, AI Strategy and Data Platforms to ensure all delivery initiatives support the broader AI vision and roadmap.
Build and lead an innovation capability that accelerates ideation, prototyping, and validation of emerging technologies and AI use cases.
Partner with internal business customers to identify opportunities for AI and advanced analytics, translating needs into actionable solutions.
Collaborate with the Director, Software Engineering, to transition successful prototypes into scalable production systems.
Work closely with the Customer Success and Innovation (CSI) team within D&T to maintain strong customer engagement and ensure technology solutions deliver tangible value.
Establish delivery frameworks, best practices, and alignment with governance for AI projects to ensure quality, speed, and compliance.
Monitor industry trends and emerging technologies to inform innovation initiatives and maintain OMERS competitive edge.
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team focused on rapid delivery and experimentation.
Qualifications
10+ years of progressive experience in technology delivery, digital transformation, or AI-focused roles, with a proven track record of leading complex initiatives that drive measurable business outcomes.
8+ years of experience delivering AI and machine learning solutions in an enterprise context, including hands-on exposure to LLMs, advanced analytics, and emerging AI technologies.
5+ years of experience leading and developing high-performing technical teams, with a demonstrated ability to scale capabilities and deliver complex initiatives.
Prior experience in financial services, preferably on the buy-side, is considered an asset.
Deep expertise in cutting-edge AI and GenAI frameworks and technologies, covering model analysis and selection, scalability considerations and engineering patterns for secure, efficient deployment
Strong expertise in cloud platforms and modern data ecosystems, including Azure, Snowflake, and Databricks, with a deep understanding of data lifecycle management and integration patterns.
Experience with AI and Agentic AI Frameworks, modern development and delivery practices (e.g., Agile, DevOps) and familiarity with MLOps and AIOps for operationalizing AI models.
Demonstrated ability to lead innovation functions, rapidly prototype solutions, and transition successful concepts into scalable production environments.
Proven experience managing cross-functional initiatives and collaborating with senior business stakeholders to identify opportunities and deliver high-impact technology solutions.
Excellent communication, executive stakeholder engagement, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
Solid understanding of responsible AI practices, governance frameworks, and ethical considerations in deploying AI solutions.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment while fostering a culture of agility, creativity, and continuous improvement.
We believe that time together in the office is important for OMERS and Oxford, the strength of our employees, and the work we do for our pension members. In delivering on our pension promise, keeping us connected to our work and each other, our flexible hybrid work guideline requires teams to come in to the office 4 days per week.
This posting is for an existing vacancy.
As one of Canada’s largest defined benefit pension plans, our people-first culture is at its best when our workforce reflects the communities where we live and work — and the members we proudly serve.
From hire to retire, we are an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection process that extends all the way through your employee experience. This sense of belonging and connection is cultivated up, down and across our global organization thanks to our vast network of Employee Resource Groups with executive leader sponsorship, our Purpose@Work committee and employee recognition programs.
Note: OMERS uses artificial intelligence tools to assist in the recruitment process.