Executive Director, AI & Digital Products

Location: Vancouver, BC

Department: Technology & Digital Transformation

Employment Type: Full Time / Hybrid / Indeterminate

Language Designation: English Essential

To Apply:

To fill this position, Destination Canada has partnered with executive search firm Odgers. If you are interested in this opportunity, please open the following link in a new browser and apply directly at: https://en-careers.odgers.com/en-ca/job/30611/

About Destination Canada

Tourism is the heartbeat of communities from coast to coast to coast. At Destination Canada, our aspiration for the tourism industry is to generate wealth and wellbeing for all of Canada and enrich the lives of our guests. Our mission is to influence supply and build demand for the benefit of locals, communities and visitors through leading research, alignment with public and private sectors, and marketing Canada nationally and abroad. We seek diverse, ingenious thinkers teeming with intellectual curiosity and a deep desire to grow Canada's tourism industry – strengthening the socio-cultural, environmental and economic vitality tourism brings to Canada.

About The Role

Are you passionate about harnessing innovative ideas and cutting-edge technologies, including AI, to drive organizational transformation? Do you excel at setting visionary goals, leading change, and embedding new technologies into everyday operations?

As the Executive Director, AI and Digital Products, you will spearhead AI-driven innovation and digital transformation across the organization. This role is pivotal in defining and executing the vision for AI and digital products, driving their development, and ensuring seamless integration into the organization's digital ecosystem and extending its impact to the tourism sector. You will work closely with the Executive Director of Data and Digital Innovation to craft and implement strategies that align with the organization's broader business objectives.

Your leadership will be instrumental in guiding cross-functional teams to develop, deploy and adopt AI-powered digital products, driving innovation and enhancing operational efficiencies across the organization. You will gain deep insights into the activities of various teams, ensuring seamless collaboration and information flow across departments.

Key accountabilities

Visionary Leadership and Product Management

• Lead the establishment of a clear and compelling vision for AI and digital products, ensuring alignment with the organization's broader mission and business objectives. Develop and communicate strategic roadmaps that guide the successful development, delivery and evolution of these products.
• Oversee and coordinate the efforts of cross-functional teams across the technology, product, and business units to achieve product objectives. Foster a collaborative culture that promotes alignment, innovation and success across all departments.
• Take ownership of the portfolio of digital products within the organization, ensuring their continuous evolution to meet emerging needs and market demands. Drive the innovation pipeline to enhance existing products and develop new offerings.
• Oversee the development and deployment of necessary infrastructure, including data pipelines, computing resources, and digital tools, to support the effective implementation and evolution of AI and digital products. Ensure that all systems are scalable, secure and optimized for performance.
• Ensure that all deliverables meet high-quality standards that meet or exceed stakeholder expectations. Regularly review progress, address challenges, and provide updates to senior management on accomplishments and potential risks.
• Effectively manage resources, including budgets and personnel, to ensure optimal utilization and adherence to financial guidelines. Drive cost-efficiency without compromising quality or innovation.
  
  

AI and Digital Product Development and Execution

• Define and implement the strategy for AI and digital product development, ensuring alignment with the organization's business goals. Drive initiatives that transform business operations and tourism sector experiences through innovative AI and digital solutions.
• Oversee the entire lifecycle of AI and digital products, from concept to launch. Work closely with product managers/owners, data scientists, engineers and other stakeholders to ensure products are developed on time, within scope and according to high-quality standards.
• Identify, evaluate and prioritize AI use cases across the organization, ensuring they address key business challenges and deliver measurable value.
• Work collaboratively with product and technology development teams, business units, and external partners to ensure the successful development, delivery, and adoption of AI and digital products.
• Continuously monitor the performance of AI and digital products post-launch. Use analytics and user feedback to identify areas of improvement, implement necessary changes, and ensure the products remain effective and relevant.
• Encourage and drive innovation within the product development process by staying informed about emerging technologies and trends. Promote the exploration of new AI and digital opportunities that can advance the organization's mission.
  
  

Organizational Transformation and Change Management

• Develop and execute comprehensive change management strategies that support the successful adoption of AI and digital products across the organization. Prepare teams for new technologies by ensuring they have the necessary training and resources to adapt effectively.
• Foster a culture of innovation and agility, where AI and digital solutions are embraced as integral to the organization's operations. Encourage a mindset shift that supports continuous learning and adoption of new technologies.
• Develop and implement communication plans that keep all stakeholders informed about the progress of AI and digital initiatives. Cultivate strong relationships and ensure buy-in for AI and digital product initiatives across all levels of the organization.
• Lead efforts to embed AI and digital products into the fabric of the organization, ensuring that these solutions are fully integrated into workflows and operations.
  
  

Innovation and Culture Building

• Promote an organizational culture that values creativity, experimentation, and the exploration of new ideas and solutions.
• Serve as a champion of AI and digital innovation within the organization. Inspire and motivate teams to explore cutting-edge technologies and develop solutions that push the boundaries of what's possible.
• Actively involve internal teams and tourism sector stakeholders in discussions and workshops focused on AI and digital product innovation. Organize and facilitate design thinking sessions that foster collaboration, gather diverse perspectives, and ensure that solutions are aligned with the needs and expectations of all stakeholders.
• Partner with HR and Learning & Development teams to implement training programs that equip employees with the skills needed to thrive in an AI-driven environment.
• Lead initiatives to cultivate a culture of agility across the organization, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and iterative development in achieving business goals.
  
  

Thought Leadership and Continuous Learning

• Serve as a thought leader within the organization and the broader tourism sector in AI and digital product innovation. Share insights on emerging trends and best practices that can drive the organization and the tourism sector's innovation agenda and maintain its competitive edge.
• Stay informed of industry developments and continuously seek opportunities to improve the organization's AI and digital product strategies. Adapt and evolve approaches to ensure the organization remains at the forefront of digital transformation.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing across the organization and tourism sector by organizing workshops and collaborative forums. Build and enhance the team's capabilities in product ownership and management by establishing communities of practice, where employees can share knowledge, develop skills, and adopt best practices in product development.
  
  

What you need

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business Analytics, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• At least 10 years of proven leadership experience in product management, development and delivery with a focus on digital, data and AI-driven projects.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in team management, with a demonstrated ability to lead and manage teams effectively in a matrixed environment
• Experience in managing large-scale digital transformation projects
• Expertise in solution design and delivery, utilizing Agile methodologies and product management frameworks
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and design thinking
• Strong background in managing the full product lifecycle, from ideation to launch
• Experience in developing and implementing change management strategies.
• Deep understanding of AI technologies and their practical application within business contexts
• Comprehensive knowledge of digital product development processes
• Strong grasp of data science and its practical applications
• Strong understanding of emerging technologies and trends, particularly in AI and digital transformation
• Knowledge of stakeholder engagement and change management principles
  
  

It would be great if you also had

• Professional certification in Agile Methodologies (e.g. Certified Agile Product Management, Product Owner) is highly desirable.
  
  

Compensation

Salary range: $127,200 - $165,360

Within the range, the base pay offered is determined by multiple factors, including job-related skills and relevant education/experience. Please note starting salaries for new hires typically fall between the minimum and mid-point of the range, to support internal equity and allow room for progression as employees grow and excel in their roles. The range above reflects base pay only and does not include the competitive at-risk pay program and benefits that we offer!

Other components of our total rewards offerings include:

• Extended health and dental benefits
• Minimum 3 weeks of accrued vacation plus other paid time off
• Employee assistance program
• Defined contribution pension plan
• Generous parenthood top-up
• Flexible working options like compressed workweek and hybrid model
• Support towards your professional growth with learning and development opportunities, mentorship and more.
  
  

Things you should know:

• This role follows a hybrid work arrangement, where work is performed onsite at least 3 days per week. Please note the work arrangement is subject to change.
• This role requires periodic travel, both domestic and international
  
  

At Destination Canada, we believe that Canada's diversity is its greatest asset and is what touches travellers' hearts most deeply. To that end, we are committed to inclusive leadership within our workplace, workforce, and interactions with partners and travellers alike. Destination Canada is an equal opportunity employer committed to reflecting Canada's diversity through fair and accessible hiring and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. If you require accommodations at any point in the recruitment process, please reach out to [email protected].

We know that applying for a new job can be both exciting and intimidating, and we sincerely appreciate your interest and effort. Only those applicants under consideration will be contacted.

Privacy Policy Acknowledgement

Personal information collected in relation to your application is collected pursuant to the Canadian Tourism Commission Act and under the Privacy Act. It will be used to evaluate your application and maintain an inventory of candidates for work opportunities and staffing pursuant to Destination Canada's personal information banks PSU 911 and PSE 902. Information will be retained for a minimum of 2 years.

By submitting your application, you acknowledge and agree to our Privacy Policy.