Director AI Strategy

Position Overview and Key Responsibilities

As the Director of AI Strategy at Douglas, based in Düsseldorf, you will spearhead the development and ongoing refinement of the company's AI approach on a group-wide scale. Collaborating closely with the Chief Marketing Officer, the Executive Committee, and various business units, you will establish a comprehensive AI governance framework. This includes prioritizing use cases, risk assessment, model supervision, adherence to responsible AI principles, and compliance with regulations such as the EU AI Act and GDPR.

You will oversee the AI initiatives portfolio across multiple functions and countries, assessing projects by their business value, scalability, feasibility, data readiness, and associated risks. Your role involves creating business cases, investment plans, and ROI justifications, which you will present to senior management and the Executive Committee. You will also guide projects from initial ideation and proof of concept through piloting and scaling up for full production deployment.

A critical aspect of the role is fostering strong partnerships with teams in Technology/IT, CRM & Loyalty, E-Commerce, Retail Media, Performance Marketing, Store Operations, Legal/Compliance, and Data Protection. You will define a repeatable AI operational model that streamlines project intake, evaluation, build-versus-buy decisions, implementation, monitoring, and ongoing optimization. Managing relationships with external partners, AI platform providers, and specialized vendors, particularly in machine learning and Generative AI, is essential.

Leading and nurturing a compact but highly skilled team, you will promote AI literacy and capability development across the organization by delivering training sessions, developing playbooks, creating enablement frameworks, and providing straightforward guidance to business units. Additionally, you will serve as the public face of Douglas's AI strategy internally and externally, acting as a strategic ambassador, trend identifier, and thought leader within the AI ecosystem.

Candidate Profile

• Extensive professional background focused on AI strategy, data strategy, digital transformation, e-commerce, CRM, analytics, or technology-driven business change.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in guiding and growing high-performance teams within complex and cross-functional environments.
• Proven ability to translate AI or data-driven strategies into implemented solutions that produce tangible business outcomes.
• Strong technical knowledge of AI technologies, including Generative AI, machine learning, data products, platform architectures, and up-to-date digital business models.
• Experience understanding commercial drivers in retail, e-commerce, or consumer goods sectors and linking AI opportunities to gains in revenue, margin, efficiency, and customer experience.
• Familiarity with regulatory frameworks governing AI, data privacy, and responsible technology practices, especially the EU AI Act and GDPR compliance.
• Skilled in engaging senior stakeholders and executive leadership, capable of simplifying and articulating complex technological topics in clear, business-focused, and decision-ready terms.
• A strategic, analytical, and pragmatic mindset capable of balancing ambition, pace, governance, and practical feasibility.
• Exceptional coordination skills to unify business, technology units, country teams, and external partners under a shared strategic agenda.
• Fluent English proficiency; German language skills are a significant advantage due to the headquarters and stakeholder environment.

About Douglas Group

Douglas Group is Europe’s leading omnichannel premium beauty retailer, represented by brands including DOUGLAS, NOCIBÉ, Parfumdreams, and Niche Beauty. It inspires customers to embrace their unique beauty through a distinctive selection available online and across approximately 1,970 stores. The group offers a premium collection of fragrances, color cosmetics, skincare, haircare, accessories, and beauty services representing selective, exclusive, and proprietary brands.

Douglas focuses on strengthening its omnichannel presence while enhancing superior customer experiences. The 2024/25 financial year saw the group achieve sales of 4.58 billion euros and employ over 19,900 personnel throughout Europe. Douglas AG is publicly traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Douglas is committed to diversity, equal opportunity, and inclusion. Applications from parents, individuals with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community are encouraged. Candidates may request gender-neutral pronouns, accessible workplaces, or additional time during the recruitment process as needed.

Application Instructions

If you identify with this position and its requirements, we invite you to apply by submitting your salary expectations and availability to start.