IT Director - AI

RLI Insurance Company•Peoria, IL

1d•$139,797 - $203,755•Hybrid

About The Position

Under general direction, leads the strategy, governance, operating model, and enterprise adoption of artificial intelligence, partnering with Business and Technology leaders to identify and deliver responsible AI solutions that create measurable value. Serves as a key liaison across business, technical, risk, and external partners, providing the expertise needed to evaluate emerging capabilities, communicate opportunities and limitations, and guide implementation across the organization. The Director, IT - AI is accountable for developing the enterprise AI roadmap, strengthening engagement with business areas, increasing adoption and effective use of AI solutions, and establishing appropriate measures of value, risk, and performance. The scope will include leading AI engineers and other technical professionals directly or through influence, delivering complex technical initiatives, building cross-functional alignment, and influencing senior stakeholders.

Requirements

Typically requires a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Data Science, Business, or a related field.
7+ years of progressively responsible experience in technology, artificial intelligence, enterprise architecture, data, digital transformation, or a related discipline.
Demonstrated experience developing or leading an enterprise AI strategy, AI adoption program, or portfolio of AI-enabled solutions.
Experience with generative AI, large language models, cloud-based AI platforms, machine learning, intelligent automation, or related technologies.
Experience leading technical professionals directly or through influence.
Formal people-management experience is preferred but not required when the candidate has demonstrated leadership of teams, programs, or technical communities.
Experience in insurance, financial services, or another regulated industry is preferred but not required.
[OR] equivalent level of education and experience.
Strong knowledge of artificial intelligence concepts, including generative AI, large language models, AI-enabled applications, and enterprise integration considerations.
Ability to develop and execute an enterprise AI strategy that connects technical capabilities to business needs and measurable outcomes.
Strong understanding of the opportunities, limitations, risks, and operational requirements associated with implementing AI in a complex enterprise environment.
Ability to evaluate and prioritize AI use cases based on business value, feasibility, scalability, risk, and strategic alignment.
Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with senior executives, business leaders, architects, engineers, and subject-matter experts.
Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear business language.
Strong strategic planning, prioritization, analytical judgment, and portfolio-management skills.
Ability to lead through ambiguity and adapt strategy as technologies, regulations, market conditions, and organizational needs evolve.
Strong presentation, facilitation, communication, and stakeholder-management skills.
Ability to motivate and guide highly technical, independent professionals.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of AI governance, responsible AI, data privacy, cybersecurity, regulatory considerations, model risk, and human oversight.
Understanding of software development, enterprise architecture, cloud platforms, data ecosystems, and technology delivery practices.
Experience in insurance, financial services, or another regulated industry.
Formal people-management experience.
Experience with machine learning, intelligent automation, prompt-based solutions, or multiple enterprise AI platforms.

Responsibilities

Works with Business and Technology partners to develop, communicate, and execute the enterprise AI vision, strategy, roadmap, governance framework, and operating model.
Builds trusted relationships across the organization to understand business needs, identify meaningful AI opportunities, and prioritize use cases based on value, feasibility, scalability, risk, and strategic alignment.
Establishes goals, metrics, and reporting practices to measure AI adoption, solution performance, business outcomes, risk, and return on investment.
Communicates complex AI concepts, opportunities, risks, and limitations clearly to technical and nontechnical audiences, helping leaders make informed decisions about which initiatives to pursue, modify, delay, or decline.
Partners with architecture, data, cybersecurity, legal, compliance, and other control functions to ensure AI solutions are secure, responsible, sustainable, and aligned with enterprise standards.
Evaluates emerging AI technologies, vendors, platforms, and approaches while promoting consistency, reuse, scalability, and appropriate strategic control.
Provides leadership across a portfolio of AI initiatives by helping teams prioritize work, resolve barriers, manage dependencies, and maintain focus on measurable enterprise value.
Leads technical professionals directly or through influence and supports staffing, talent development, performance management, and succession planning as the AI function grows.
Promotes a culture of continuous learning and development by remaining up to date of education and learning across IT, AI, and the broader enterprise, including awareness of emerging capabilities, responsible use, governance expectations, practical applications, and evolving risks.

Benefits

Annual bonus plans
Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)
401(k) — automatic 3% company contribution
Annual 401k and ESOP profit-sharing contributions (Up to 15% of eligible earnings)
Paid time off (PTO) and holidays
Paid volunteer time off (VTO) to support our communities
Parental and family care leave
Flexible & hybrid work arrangements
Fitness center discounts and free virtual fitness platform
Employee assistance program
Comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits
Flexible spending and health savings accounts
2x base salary for group life and AD&D insurance
Voluntary life, critical illness, & accident insurance for purchase
Short-term and long-term disability benefits
Training & certification opportunities
Tuition reimbursement
Education bonuses