AI Executive and Leadership Jobs (2026)
AI Executive roles — VP of AI, Director of ML, Head of AI, Chief AI Officer — lead the strategic direction of artificial intelligence at major companies. These positions combine deep technical expertise with business acumen, team leadership, and the ability to translate AI capabilities into competitive advantages.
Last updated: October 1, 2026
Latest AI Executive Jobs
View all jobsDirector of Applied AI
Associate Director, AI Transformation
AI Advisory Senior Manager/ Associate Director
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Head of AI & Application Delivery
Director of AI Strategy & Enablement
Head of AI
Head of AI, Technology & Infrastructure
Director of Product, AI (Remote Canada or US)
AI Director
AI Engineer - Assistant Vice President
Director Medical Writing - AI Document Lead
Head of AI & Application Delivery
Director, Clinical AI Technologies
Public Relations Account Director - AI/Emerging Tech
Head of AI Future Programs
Director, ML Engineering
Production AI Engineer - Vice President
Director of Product Management – Data & AI Platform
Director, Systems, Data & AI Transformation
Director of Data & AI (Maternity cover)
Frequently Asked Questions
What AI executive roles exist?
Key AI executive roles include VP of AI/ML, Director of Machine Learning, Head of AI Research, Chief AI Officer (CAIO), VP of Data Science, and SVP of AI Products. These leaders typically manage teams of 20 to 200+ and set the AI roadmap for their organizations. AI leadership total compensation averages approximately $380K, with top executives earning significantly more. The demand for AI executives has grown alongside the 25.2% year-over-year increase in AI job openings overall.
What is the compensation for AI executives?
AI executives typically earn $300K to $500K+ in base salary, with total compensation reaching $500K to $2M+ at major tech companies. Chief AI Officers at Fortune 500 companies can earn $1M+ in total compensation. Equity and performance bonuses are significant components. US-based AI executives lead global compensation, while European AI leaders earn roughly $100K less than their US counterparts. SF, NYC, and Boston carry 20-50% premiums even at the executive level.
What background do AI executives need?
AI executives typically combine deep technical expertise with business leadership experience. While a PhD can be beneficial for research-focused leadership roles, it is not required for most AI executive positions. Strong backgrounds in ML engineering, data science, or AI research, combined with people management experience, are most valued. About 56% of AI professionals plan to job-hunt in 2026, creating both opportunity and competitive pressure for executive talent acquisition.
AI Job Insights for AI Executive Jobs
Salary Range (Yearly, USD)
$60 - $750K
Median $178K from 104 listings with salary data
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Common Roles
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