VP, Innovation & Emerging Tech

NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our theme parks and consumer experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, USA Network, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Universal Studio Group, and have world-renowned theme parks and attractions through Universal Destinations & Experiences. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.

Comcast NBCUniversal has announced its intent to create a new publicly traded company ('Versant') comprised of most of NBCUniversal's cable television networks, including USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel along with complementary digital assets Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. The well-capitalized company will have significant scale as a pure-play set of assets anchored by leading news, sports and entertainment content. The spin-off is expected to be completed during 2025.

Versant Media is seeking a dynamic and forward-thinking Vice President, Innovation & Emerging Tech to lead our company's strategy in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. This key leadership position will be responsible for overseeing the research, development, and strategic implementation of new AI-powered applications, while simultaneously establishing the necessary governance, standards, and policies to ensure ethical and legal compliance. The ideal candidate will not only shape Versant’s AI and emerging technology strategy but will also explore new ways audiences consume and interact with content. They will develop a forward-looking roadmap, aligned with the company’s five-year business plan to ensure the organization is prepared to embrace technologies such as immersive media, spatial computing, automation and other innovations that redefine the media experience.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

AI Strategy and R&D

• Drive the research and development of custom-built AI applications, with a focus on delivering innovative solutions for our News and Sports Editorial teams and creating new consumer-facing products.
• Explore adjacent emerging technologies such as generative media tools, immersive AR experiences and automation platforms to assess applicability for Versant’s content and distribution ecosystem.

Technology Rollout

• Set an enterprise strategy for the evaluation, adoption and scaling of third-party AI tools such as ChatGPT Enterprise, Claude for Enterprise, Google Gemini, GitHub Copilot, Microsoft Copilot, Cursor, and other emerging technologies to enhance workflows and productivity across the company.

AI Standards and Governance

• Establish and enforce best practices, policies, and legal frameworks for AI usage across the organization, ensuring the protection of user data and adherence to ethical guidelines.

Intellectual Property

• Define and execute a strategy for intellectual property including identifying, developing, and securing patents for key technological innovations and AI applications.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as a key liaison between the engineering teams, legal counsel, cyber security, and business units to ensure a unified and responsible approach to innovation.

Strategic Vision

• Stay at the forefront of the rapidly evolving technology landscape and provide strategic guidance to Versant’s executive leadership on emerging trends and their potential impact on the media industry.

The ideal candidate is a strategic leader with a deep technical background in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and emerging technologies. You possess a strong understanding of both the potential and the risks associated with new technology, and you are skilled at translating complex technical concepts into clear business strategies. You are a natural collaborator who can navigate complex organizational structures and build consensus around a vision for the future.

• Demonstrable experience leading AI/ML technology initiatives, with a track record of driving and implementing large-scale emerging technology strategies.
• A strong portfolio of successfully delivered innovation projects, from conception to implementation.
• In-depth knowledge of AI governance, data privacy laws, and ethical considerations in technology.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to influence and persuade stakeholders at all levels.
• A balanced perspective that combines a passion for innovation with a rigorous approach to security, ethics, and legal compliance.

Additional Requirements: 

•  Hybrid: This position has been designated as hybrid, generally contributing from the office a minimum of three days per week.

This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other discounts and perks. Learn more about the benefits offered by NBCUniversal by visiting the Benefits page of the Careers website. Salary range: $225,000 - $275,000 (bonus and long-term incentive eligible).

We are accepting applications for this position on an ongoing basis. 

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to [email protected].

Although you'll be hired as an NBCU employee, your employment and the responsibilities associated with this job likely will transition to Versant in the future. By joining at this pivotal time, you'll be a part of this exciting company as it takes shape.