VP, Innovation & Emerging Tech

Versant Media is seeking a dynamic and forward-thinking Vice President, Innovation & Emerging Tech to lead our company's strategy in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. This key leadership position will be responsible for overseeing the research, development, and strategic implementation of new AI-powered applications, while simultaneously establishing the necessary governance, standards, and policies to ensure ethical and legal compliance. The ideal candidate will not only shape Versant’s AI and emerging technology strategy but will also explore new ways audiences consume and interact with content. They will develop a forward-looking roadmap, aligned with the company’s five-year business plan to ensure the organization is prepared to embrace technologies such as immersive media, spatial computing, automation and other innovations that redefine the media experience. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: AI Strategy and R&D Drive the research and development of custom-built AI applications, with a focus on delivering innovative solutions for our News and Sports Editorial teams and creating new consumer-facing products. Explore adjacent emerging technologies such as generative media tools, immersive AR experiences and automation platforms to assess applicability for Versant’s content and distribution ecosystem. Technology Rollout Set an enterprise strategy for the evaluation, adoption and scaling of third-party AI tools such as ChatGPT Enterprise, Claude for Enterprise, Google Gemini, GitHub Copilot, Microsoft Copilot, Cursor, and other emerging technologies to enhance workflows and productivity across the company. AI Standards and Governance Establish and enforce best practices, policies, and legal frameworks for AI usage across the organization, ensuring the protection of user data and adherence to ethical guidelines. Intellectual Property Define and execute a strategy for intellectual property including identifying, developing, and securing patents for key technological innovations and AI applications. Cross-Functional Collaboration Serve as a key liaison between the engineering teams, legal counsel, cyber security, and business units to ensure a unified and responsible approach to innovation. Strategic Vision Stay at the forefront of the rapidly evolving technology landscape and provide strategic guidance to Versant’s executive leadership on emerging trends and their potential impact on the media industry.