Director, AI Innovation

Anchour•New Gloucester, ME

2d•$85,000 - $105,000•Hybrid

About The Position

We're hiring a Director of AI Innovation to own how AI shapes our work, from how we run the agency to what we deliver for clients. Over the past two years, a small internal team has built a proprietary suite of AI tools that already runs across our client work and operations, covering copywriting, media intelligence, brand strategy, research, and internal knowledge. These tools are a competitive advantage, allowing a lean team to do the work of a much larger one. You'll lead the future development of these tools, working directly with the CEO, VP of Growth, VP of Operations, and Developers to formalize this effort into a practice. You will help decide whether to build, buy, or bring in outside talent. This role offers the autonomy of a senior voice with significant influence. Anchour is a creative agency of over 40 people focused on building brands and digital experiences. Headquartered in Maine, we partner with SMBs and growing brands across various industries. We call ourselves Creative Pragmatists and have been building our own AI tools since 2024.

Requirements

Hands-on AI experience, including deploying AI tools and automations in a business setting and driving measurable change.
A builder's instinct with technical skills to prototype, build automations, and prompt effectively, able to work with a dev team.
Sharp, current point of view on the AI space, with the ability to move quickly from insight to implementation.
Real technical foundations, including fluency in modern web frameworks, APIs, and version control.
Ability to prototype fast and build on solid ground, understanding the difference between a throwaway prototype and durable software.
Senior presence, comfortable interacting with executives and translating technical possibilities into business outcomes.
Experience in adoption and enablement, including teaching, documenting, and getting people to use new tools.
Judgment on risk and data, understanding security, confidentiality, and IP issues related to AI and client data.
Self-directed, able to see the work and move it forward without constant direction.
New England-based, with a preference for Maine-based applicants due to the hybrid work model.

Nice To Haves

Agency or marketing fluency.
Experience across verticals such as DTC, CPG, or financial services.

Responsibilities

Lead the AI practice, setting the vision and roadmap for AI at Anchour, deciding what to build next, how to prioritize it, and establishing standards.
Keep a sharp read on the AI space and provide leadership with real recommendations.
Build and deploy AI solutions across the business to remove friction in business development, client services, creative operations, and the back office.
Prototype AI solutions yourself and spec the rest for the dev team, ensuring they are built to last.
Turn AI into a client advantage by building AI-driven capabilities into prospecting, proposals, and client work, and developing new client offerings.
Drive adoption of AI tools across the team of 40+ people through working sessions and documentation.
Own responsible AI use, setting policies for client data handling, protecting confidential work, and deciding model usage.
Measure the impact of AI on quality, speed, and output, retaining what works and discontinuing what doesn't.
Partner with the Technical Lead and dev team on the product roadmap, ensuring agency needs are met.
Build workflows and automations that remove friction in business development, client services, creative operations, and the back office.

Benefits

Competitive Salary & Profit Sharing
Hybrid Work Flexibility
Retirement savings plan with a 4% company match
Premium health, dental, vision, and life insurance
Optional health savings account (HSA)
Home office setup reimbursement (laptop provided + 50% reimbursement for equipment)
12 paid holidays (including three flexible holidays)
Minimum three weeks of paid time off per year
Paid parental, medical, bereavement, and other types of leave
Half-day Fridays throughout the summer
Lifelong Learners Fund for professional development and team bonding
$500 Baby Bonding Bucks bonus