Director of AI and Agentic Commerce Recruiter

What We Place

What Does a Director of AI and Agentic Commerce Do?

The Director of AI and Agentic Commerce leads the implementation and optimization of AI-powered tools and autonomous commerce capabilities, translating AI strategy into tangible business performance improvements.

As AI reshapes how customers discover, evaluate, and purchase products, eCommerce businesses need leaders who can operationalize AI across the customer journey. The Director of AI and Agentic Commerce owns the day-to-day build and management of AI initiatives, from personalization engines and AI-powered search to the early development of agentic commerce capabilities. They typically report to a VP of eCommerce, CDO, or VP of AI and Agentic Commerce.

Core Responsibilities

Lead implementation and optimization of AI tools across the eCommerce customer journey
Manage AI-powered personalization, recommendations, and search capabilities
Develop and test agentic commerce use cases: shopping assistants and automated workflows
Build GEO strategies to optimize brand visibility in AI-generated discovery
Partner with product, engineering, and data science teams on AI capability development
Define KPIs and measurement frameworks for AI initiatives
Evaluate and manage AI vendor relationships and technology partnerships
Develop team capability in AI tools and agentic commerce methodologies

Why eCommerce Placement

Why Use a Specialized eCommerce AI Recruiter?

Unlike generalist recruiters, every search we run is focused exclusively on digital commerce talent. We know the roles, the platforms, and the people.

AI and Commerce Screening

We screen for candidates with genuine fluency in both AI tools and eCommerce operations, a combination that is rarer than either skill alone.

Emerging Talent Network

We are building relationships with the early movers in agentic commerce, practitioners who are ahead of the curve.

Execution Focus

Director-level AI hires need to be builders and implementers, not just strategists. We screen for hands-on track records.

No Placement, No Fee

Contingency model. You only pay when we successfully fill the role.

Compensation Benchmarks

Director of AI and Agentic Commerce Salary Ranges

Compensation varies by company size, scope, and geography. These ranges reflect current US market conditions across our placement history.

Director of AI and Agentic Commerce — Base Salary Benchmarks (US)

$140K-$175K

Building Initial AI Capability
(Emerging practice)

$175K-$215K

Scaling AI Across eCommerce
(Established AI program)

$215K-$260K+

Enterprise AI Commerce Leader
(Full agentic mandate)

* Base salary only. Total compensation may include annual bonus and equity. Contact us for current benchmarks specific to your sector.

Candidate Profiles

What We Look For in a Director of AI and Agentic Commerce

The right candidate for this role is an eCommerce operator who has gone deep on AI, someone who has actually implemented AI tools in a commerce environment and understands how they move the metrics that matter.

Must-Have Qualifications

5+ years in eCommerce with 2+ years in a senior manager or Director role
Hands-on experience implementing AI tools in an eCommerce context: personalization, search, recommendations, or agents
Understanding of the AI and agentic commerce landscape: LLMs, AI agents, GEO, and emerging platforms
Experience defining and measuring AI initiative KPIs in a commercial environment
Strong partnership skills with engineering, data science, and product teams
Ability to evaluate AI vendor capabilities and manage technology relationships
Track record of translating emerging technology into tangible business outcomes
Strong communication skills for stakeholder alignment on AI strategy and investment

Client Feedback

What Hiring Companies Say

eCommerce Placement's work quality distinguishes them from other providers. They helped us hire four candidates within four months and excelled at listening to our needs.

VP of Human Resources

National Retail Brand

They helped us find and place multiple eCommerce team members who became some of our best hires. They scoped our roles well and consistently presented the right level of candidate.

Chief Marketing Officer

DTC Consumer Brand

Unlike generalist recruiters, their team understood exactly what our eCommerce business needed. Every candidate they sent could do the job on day one.

CEO

Mid-Market Online Retailer

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Director role different from the VP of AI and Agentic Commerce?

The Director typically leads execution and implementation of AI initiatives, while the VP sets the broader strategic vision and owns the organizational mandate. At smaller companies the Director may carry VP-level scope. We will help define the right level for your organization.

Does a candidate need formal AI or machine learning credentials?

Not necessarily. Hands-on experience implementing AI tools in commerce contexts matters more than formal ML credentials. We look for practitioners who understand how AI works well enough to apply it effectively, partner with engineers, and evaluate vendor claims.

What AI tools should a Director of AI and Agentic Commerce know?

Relevant tools include AI personalization platforms, AI search tools like Constructor and Bloomreach, LLM APIs, agent frameworks, and GEO optimization methodologies. The landscape is evolving rapidly so adaptability matters as much as specific tool knowledge.

How long does this search take?

Given the newness of this role, searches typically take 6-10 weeks. We recommend a streamlined process since strong candidates are rare and competitive.

What is your fee?

Contingency model. No placement, no fee. New clients receive a 10% discount on their first placement.

Hire a Director of AI and Agentic Commerce Who Turns AI Into eCommerce Performance