Senior Vice President, AI & Technology Programs

Zeno Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 160,000 - 235,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Headspace subscription

401(k) plan

Generous vacation

Life insurance

Job summary

Zeno Group is seeking a strategic, hands-on SVP to drive AI and technology programs across the agency, guiding teams through transformation and helping define scalable AI-enabled client service.

You will lead workflow transformations, design training, evaluate tools, and partner with practice leaders to unlock business value. This is a senior role requiring deep expertise in AI, change management, and cross-functional leadership.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in technology, operations, consulting or transformation.
• Proven ability to facilitate workshops and lead large-scale transformation.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
• Experience partnering with senior leaders and client teams.
• Strong understanding of AI and its practical business applications.
• Ability to drive alignment and deliver measurable change.

Responsibilities

• Lead workflow transformation programs across offices using AI and emerging tech.
• Facilitate sessions with teams and stakeholders to map workflows.
• Design and deliver training programs to build AI capabilities.
• Evaluate AI tools and vendor solutions for business needs.
• Monitor adoption and refine programs for lasting change.
• Support client teams in AI-related conversations and governance.

Skills

Leadership

Workshops

Communication

Stakeholder mgmt

AI Tools

Change Management

Project Management

Cross-functional

Job description

Zeno Group is the fiercely independent and global, integrated communications agency, born from PR. We bring together the boldest and brightest talent to help clients across industries and sectors unleash the power of strategic communications. Guided by our "Fearless Pursuit of the Unexpected," we push the boundaries to achieve real business value and societal impact for clients. Winner of the industry's most coveted awards including the 2024 PRWeek U.S. Outstanding Large Agency of the Year, 2023 PRWeek Purpose Agency of the Year, 2022 PRWeek Global Agency of the Year, 2022 PRovoke Best Large Agency to Work For in North America and a three-time winner of PRWeek's Best Places to Work. Zeno has also been previously recognized by the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Zeno is a DJE Holdings Company.

Job Description

SVP, AI & Technology Programs

Do you enjoy helping teams rethink how work gets done? Are you energized by guiding organizations through change, facilitating complex conversations and helping people adopt new ways of working through AI and emerging technologies?

As a SVP, AI & Technology Programs at Zeno, you will play a key role in accelerating AI adoption and business transformation across the agency. Working closely with the Head of AI & Innovation, practice leaders and client teams, you will help identify opportunities where AI can create meaningful impact, design solutions that fit real-world workflows and lead programs that drive lasting change.

This is an opportunity for a strategic and hands-on leader to shape how AI is adopted across the organization, build internal capabilities and help define the future of AI-enabled communications and client service.

The Team You're Joining

• Craft over speed. Efficiency is table stakes. Everyone has the same AI tools. We take every hour AI saves and reinvest it in work that wasn't possible before. The bar is high because the stakes are high.
• Build what others can't access. What separates us is the proprietary systems, methodology, and data we build in-house. We license tools when they solve the problem. But the work that differentiates Zeno is built here.
• Makers who can hold a room. This role is not heads-down. You'll be facilitating workshops with client teams, presenting to senior leadership, and sitting across from practitioners who need you to understand their work before you prescribe anything. We look for people who are strong technically and equally comfortable communicating what they know to people who don't share their vocabulary.

About The Role

• AI Transformation & Program Leadership: Lead workflow transformation programs across Zeno's offices, helping teams identify opportunities to improve how work gets done through AI, automation and emerging technologies.
• Workshop Facilitation & Change Management: Facilitate working sessions with teams and stakeholders to map workflows, identify opportunities for improvement and drive alignment around solutions, ownership and implementation plans.
• AI Enablement & Training: Design and deliver training programs, workshops and best practices that help employees build confidence, strengthen capabilities and adopt AI-powered ways of working.
• Technology Evaluation & Adoption: Evaluate AI tools, platforms and vendor solutions, providing recommendations based on business needs, workflow impact and long-term organizational value.
• AI Adoption & Organizational Effectiveness: Monitor adoption, identify barriers and refine programs that drive lasting behavioral change and measurable outcomes.
• Client Innovation & Strategic Guidance: Support client teams in AI-related conversations, helping navigate usage standards, implementation considerations and opportunities to enhance client work through AI-enabled solutions.
• Governance & Cross-Agency Collaboration: Help ensure AI tools and workflows align with company policies, responsible AI practices and data privacy requirements while partnering with sister agencies on shared initiatives and learning opportunities.

About You

• 15+ years of experience in technology, operations, consulting, organizational transformation or related fields, including experience leading AI, automation or digital transformation initiatives.
• Proven success facilitating workshops and leading large-scale business transformation initiatives across cross-functional teams.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex technologies into clear, actionable recommendations that build confidence and trust.
• Experience engaging with practitioners, client teams and senior leaders, adapting communication styles to meet the needs of different audiences.
• Strong understanding of AI tools and their practical applications within business environments, with the ability to evaluate solutions based on workflow impact and organizational needs.
• Experience assessing technology solutions and making recommendations regarding implementation, adoption and change management.
• Demonstrated ability to drive alignment, maintain momentum and deliver results across complex initiatives.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholder groups.
• Understanding of communications, marketing, media or professional services environments and the realities of client-service organizations.
• Curious, collaborative mindset with a passion for learning, problem solving and helping teams embrace new ways of working.
• Commitment to responsible AI adoption and creating meaningful business impact through technology.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in change management, organizational development or business transformation.
• Experience designing and delivering training programs across large organizations.
• Familiarity with AI governance, responsible AI frameworks and emerging industry best practices.
• Experience evaluating and selecting technology platforms for organization-wide deployment.
• Prior experience within public relations, communications, advertising, marketing or related agency environments.

Pay range: $160,000 to $235,000 USD

An employee's pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, travel requirements, revenue-based metrics, any contractual agreements, and business or organizational needs. The range listed is just one component of DJEH's total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, a Paid Time Off policy, and region-specific benefits.

Level 09
An employee's pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, travel requirements, revenue-based metrics, any contractual agreements, and business or organizational needs. The range listed is just one component of DJEH's total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, a Paid Time Off policy, and region-specific benefits.

About Our Benefits

Healthy, happy employees make Zeno better, so we have programs that support physical, mental and financial wellness. Our culture and benefits are designed to promote flexibility, celebrate diversity and support work/life balance. We offer a variety of medical, dental and vision insurance with prescription plans, as well as short and long-term disability. Our Be Kind to Your Mind program focuses on mental health, providing a paid subscription to Headspace and access to mental health providers and other services through a best-in-class employee assistance program. Employees are encouraged to bring their authentic self to Zeno and participate in our employee resource groups which build communities for sharing and support. And while we love our work, we believe in the restorative power of time off with generous vacation, paid holidays and self-care time. Employees are supported in their pursuit of financial wellness with a 401(k) plan, pretax flexible spending accounts, tuition assistance, life insurance and free access to a certified financial coach. And our unique ZenoFit program provides a monthly allowance to fund activities in your personal life that bring you joy and keep you healthy. These and other benefits are available to non-temporary employees in the US.

Zeno Group, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees. Employment decisions are made on the basis of job-related criteria without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, genetic information, national origin, disability, military, or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law. We invite all applicants to voluntarily self-identify their race, ethnicity, and gender. Submission of the information on this form is strictly voluntary and refusal to provide it will not subject you to any adverse treatment. Information obtained will be retained in a confidential file and separate from personnel records. This information may only be used in accordance with the provision of applicable federal laws, executive orders, and regulations. If you want more information about any of the sections, please check with a company representative.