Omnicom Media Group (OMG) is the media services division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) that creates transformational experiences for consumers, clients, and talent. Powered by the Omni marketing orchestration system, OMG connects leading capabilities that enable our full-service media agencies OMD, PHD, and Hearts & Science to deliver relevant and actionable experiences for consumers, clients, and talent, supporting over 24,000 people working for world-class brands globally. Position Overview We are actively seeking an Associate Director of Automation Initiatives. This role is an independent contractor position (under 1099 status) with the potential for a future full-time, permanent role. While working remotely is an option during the contractor period, candidates should be available during East Coast Time Zone hours. As part of our team, you will lead a pivotal AI automation initiative. This role focuses on crafting the technical architecture, ensuring timely delivery, and aligning execution with the strategic vision of our AI-driven automation platform. You will connect engineering execution and product vision, guiding development teams, validating deliverables, and ensuring stakeholder alignment through effective communication and oversight. This leadership position demands technical expertise, architectural fluency, and the ability to navigate complex, cross-functional projects. Additionally, you will need exceptional attention to detail in managing both macro and micro-level plans to harmonize strategic objectives with execution details, track all pertinent documentation, and ensure stakeholders are informed about the initiative's progress and vision. Key Responsibilities: Vision Execution & Coordination: Act as the bridge between strategic vision and daily execution, ensuring alignment with AI automation initiative goals. Development Oversight: Provide technical direction to engineering teams by reviewing code and implementation plans for adherence to scope, quality standards, and architectural intent. Architectural Leadership: Define and manage the technical architecture for the AI automation platform and its components, creating documentation that guides implementation and aligns with long-term vision. Milestone & Delivery Management: Monitor development progress against milestones and proactively identify risks/blockers that could affect timelines. Stakeholder Communication: Organize and deliver updates for executive stakeholders, translating technical progress into actionable insights while ensuring alignment across product, engineering, and business teams. Team Enablement & Unblocking: Support development teams with clear specifications, data access, and technical context to allow for smooth execution, addressing component gaps with core teams as necessary. Artifact & Productionalization: Oversee the transition of completed implementation into production, ensuring all project artifacts are created. Required Skills: 8+ years of software engineering experience, including at least 3 years in a technical leadership or architecture role. Proven track record in leading complex, cross-functional engineering initiatives, ideally within AI/ML, automation, or platform development. Strong systems thinking with architectural design skills to create scalable and maintainable technical blueprints. Deep familiarity with modern development practices, including CI/CD, observability, and agile methodologies. Experience with AI/ML pipelines, data orchestration frameworks, and cloud-native infrastructure is a strong advantage. Excellent communication skills, capable of articulating complex technical concepts in business language. Ability to lead by influence, mentor team members, and drive team alignment. Exceptional planning and project management skills with a focus on harmonizing strategic objectives with detailed execution. In your application, you will have the chance to propose your hourly independent contractor rate. If you are interested in joining Omnicom, we invite you to apply today! This role is hybrid, requiring three (3) days per week in the office. The remaining two (2) days may be worked remotely. Specific in-office days will be discussed during the interview process, with flexibility to meet team needs. Note that the number of required in-office days may adjust based on business requirements.