Back to all positions

Chief AI Officer

United States · Hybrid · Permanent

Professional ServicesAI Strategy$300k – $800k
Sign in to apply

Heads up: this posting is for future opportunities rather than one specific open role. If you apply, we’ll add you to our candidate network and may reach out when relevant roles come up.

Axial Search is a specialist executive search firm built for one kind of hire: leaders who help organizations navigate AI transformation. Apply today to express your interest in roles like this one.

Visit our website to learn more about our process and explore free tools for your job search, including our live job market dashboard with salary, skills and hiring trend data from thousands of AI transformation roles.

What the market looks like

C-level AI appointments remain rare — we've tracked fewer than 100 true Chief AI Officer postings across the United States in the past year — but almost every major enterprise now has an explicit line item for AI leadership on its org chart. Existing CAIO roles cluster across Professional Services, Financial Services, Healthcare, and late-stage Technology, and compensation is almost always packaged on a confidential total-comp basis rather than a posted range. The strongest CAIO candidates bring a rare combination of technical credibility, strategic range, and C-suite gravitas — all three have to be real.

Job responsibilities

  • Own the full AI agenda — strategy, roadmap, talent, infrastructure, and governance

  • Serve as the executive sponsor and public face of AI across the organization

  • Build and lead the AI leadership team across engineering, science, product, platform, and governance

  • Partner with the CEO, board, and peer C-suite on prioritization and investment

  • Represent the company externally with clients, regulators, media, and industry bodies

  • Own the business case for AI and demonstrate measurable impact over time

  • Drive the integration of AI into the company's operating model — not just its product

  • Make the hard calls on where to double down and where to shut down

Candidate requirements

  • 15+ years of relevant experience with a substantial senior AI leadership track record

  • Proven ability to operate at C-suite and board level

  • Deep credibility with both technical and business stakeholders

  • Experience scaling AI capability across an enterprise, not just running pilots

  • Excellent communication — internal, external, regulator, investor, and press

  • Comfort with the public dimensions of the role

Chief AI Officer | United States | Axial Search