Director of Innovation

Colliers Engineering & Design is seeking a Director of Innovation to serve as a strategic business leader responsible for developing and executing the firm’s enterprise AI strategy, governance framework, and prioritized innovation initiatives that deliver measurable value across the organization. This role will lead the AI and automation roadmap, ensuring investments in emerging technologies enhance safety, quality, operational efficiency, and the overall client and employee experience, while remaining aligned with security, legal, and compliance standards.   The Director of Innovation will drive cross-functional initiatives focused on improving organizational efficiency through AI, systems integration, automation, and enhanced connectivity across platforms and teams. Working collaboratively with executive leadership, business units, and technology stakeholders, this individual will identify opportunities to modernize operations, streamline workflows, and foster a culture of continuous innovation throughout the organization.   In close partnership with the CIO and Director of Software Development, the Director of Innovation will help shape and execute the company’s long-term technology vision, ensuring innovation strategies are aligned with business objectives, operational priorities, and future growth initiatives.   This position offers a hybrid work arrangement; however, candidates must be able to work regularly from one of Colliers Engineering & Design’s office locations to support collaboration and business needs.

Enterprise AI strategy and roadmap: Define and maintain a short and longer term AI and automation roadmap aligned to firm priorities with operations, and corporate services; translate emerging AI (including GenAI) capabilities into business-ready opportunities; provide leadership with regular updates on priorities, progress, outcomes, and ROI. Evaluation, and prioritization: Define qualification criteria (business value, technical feasibility, data readiness, adoption readiness, risk profile); quantify benefits. Adoption and change enablement: Partner with project executives, design managers, and end users to validate workflows (office and field), identify barriers early, and ensure feedback informs pilot iterations; build and sustain an AI champion network; partner with HR/learning and knowledge to build AI fluency through training, playbooks, and change management. Governance, risk, and enterprise alignment: Partner with Technology leadership to align initiatives with approved platforms, architecture, and security standards; coordinate with Legal, Risk, and Information Security on responsible AI practices (including handling of client/project data, contracts, drawings, specifications, and models); establish guardrails for vendor tools and data access; maintain documentation to support audit and contractual compliance. Transition to delivery: Partner with technology delivery teams and operational leaders to transition approved initiatives into implementation with clear business requirements, target workflows, training/adoption plans (including field enablement), and success metrics—while maintaining appropriate separation between pilot ownership and large-scale delivery. Progressive vision: Identify, evaluate, and lead initiatives that improve operational efficiency, system integration, and enterprise connectivity through the adoption of innovative technologies and scalable digital solutions.

Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems/Management, Computer/Data Science, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience) required. Advanced degree (MBA/MS) preferred. 10+ years of progressive experience in strategy, operations, transformation, or digital enablement, with demonstrated success delivering measurable outcomes in a AEC environment (or similarly complex, project-based services). Risk and responsible AI: Working knowledge of security, privacy,