Thiago Salvador

AI & Operations Leader

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Operations and AI leader with 15 years across advertising, technology, and startups. Currently Partner and Director of Operations & AI at Zaaz Collective, building AI-driven workflows that connect human creativity with machine intelligence. Previously led operations at Wunderman Thompson (3 years, WPP group) and produced award-winning campaigns at DM9DDB — including 6 Cannes Lions. MBA from USP/Esalq. Clients include Bayer (USA), McDonald's, Nubank, Vivo, and Itaú.

Experience

Apr 2024 — Present

Director of Operations and AI

Zaaz CollectiveFull-time

São Paulo, Brazil (Remote)

Leading the vision and execution of AI-driven initiatives, combining advanced technology with creative strategies. Establishing operational frameworks that drive efficiency, leading cross-functional teams from concept to launch. Using data-driven insights to align resource allocation with strategic objectives, optimize marketing campaigns and unlock new growth opportunities.

Jun 2023 — May 2024

Operations

MACHINES LIKE MEFull-time

São Paulo (Remote)

Managing RPA, development and AI projects. Improving operational management systems, processes and best practices. Formulating strategic and operational objectives, quality controls and production KPI monitoring, recruitment and team supervision.

Mar 2023 — Jul 2023

Sr. Product Owner

Freelance (Globosat)

São Paulo, Brazil (Remote)

Managing development and Web3 projects for Globosat. Ensuring all projects delivered on-time, within scope and budget. Product Backlog management, vendor relationships and comprehensive project documentation.

Nov 2022 — Feb 2023

Operations Consultant

Red Button — Rede de CanaisFreelance

São Paulo, Brazil

Developing operations improvement strategies, determining the scope of improvement initiatives, recommending cost-effective solutions to operational challenges and restructuring departments with role definition.

Aug 2022 — Oct 2022

Sr. Project Manager

NubankFreelance

São Paulo, Brazil

Managing banking and fintech projects, ensuring on-time delivery within scope and budget. Maintaining vendor relationships and comprehensive project documentation.

May 2022 — Oct 2022

Sr. Product Owner

Hogarth WorldwideFull-time

São Paulo, Brazil

Key client: Bayer (Global). Managing healthcare/medical projects, ordering the Product Backlog to best achieve goals, optimizing Development Team value and ensuring backlog transparency for the entire Scrum Team.

Mar 2022 — Jun 2022

Creative Operations

NubankFreelance

São Paulo, Brazil

Projects and teams management, ensuring effective processes for creative team strategies. Key projects: "Tudo no Roxinho" and "NuNiver" (Nubank 9th anniversary).

Aug 2021 — Apr 2022

Operations Consultant

Black DragonsFull-time

São Paulo, Brazil (Hybrid)

Implementation and monitoring of organizational processes, strategic planning and budgets, seeking sustainable company growth.

Apr 2021 — Aug 2021

Director, Organizational Development

Wunderman Thompson TechnologyFull-time

São Paulo, Brazil

Creating and defining processes, structures and objectives of organizational development.

Jul 2018 — Apr 2021

Operations Manager

Wunderman Thompson TechnologyFull-time

São Paulo, Brazil

Internal and client operations management, working with WPP group agencies and as an official partner on Adobe and Acquia technology projects. São Paulo office management, team leadership, operational process control, production strategy, risk analysis and budget control.

VivoAdobeUHG
Dec 2017 — Jul 2018

Digital Producer

DM9DDB

São Paulo, Brazil

Leading the agency's digital technology production. Media and technology project management, display campaign management, CMS control, production budgets, vendor contracting and campaign scheduling.

McDonald'sItaúWalmartJohnson & Johnson

Awards & Notable Projects

McDonald's Instagram Menu

2018

DM9DDB

AI-powered project connected to Instagram's API to track photos with specific hashtags, apply safety filters and automatically display the best images on digital menu boards.

Cannes Lions — 3 Lions (Silver, Bronze, Shortlisted)El Ojo — Silver & BronzeClio Awards — BronzeClube de Criação — Bronze

Walmart Job On The Shelf

2018

DM9DDB

Product line with job offers printed on labels, using QR codes to connect consumers to available positions.

Cannes Lions — Silver & BronzeWave Festival — Gold (Retail) & Silver (Brand)El Ojo — Silver & BronzeClube de Criação — Bronze

Johnson's My First Pad

2018

DM9DDB

Combined physical and virtual worlds with mini pads for dolls and an educational mobile game built in Unity to promote menstruation dialogue.

Cannes Lions — BronzeClube de Criação — Bronze

NuNiver — Nubank 9th Anniversary

2022

Nubank

Anniversary campaign including outdoor actions, hero film and commemorative clothing collection. Responsible for creative team routines, briefing control, vendor contracting and budget control.

Novo Portal Vivo (AEM)

2018 — 2019

Wunderman Thompson

Operational management of the new Vivo (Telefônica) portal production, based on Adobe Experience Manager module development and authoring.

UHG Americas Portal (Acquia)

2018

Wunderman Thompson

Operational management of the new ASM portal using Acquia CMS.

Acquia Engage 2019 — Finalist, Best Decoupled Build

Education

2024 — 2025

MBA, Business Administration

MBA USP/Esalq

2013 — 2014

Postgraduate, Project Management

FATEC Senac Pelotas

2010 — 2012

Bachelor's, Marketing

FATEC Senac Pelotas

Certifications

  • AI Fluency: Framework and FoundationsAnthropic2025
  • Claude with the Anthropic APIAnthropic2025
  • Pre MBA AI for BusinessSaint Paul Escola de Negócios2025
  • Six Sigma Yellow Belt6sigmastudy2019
  • Scrum Foundations ProfessionalCertiProf2020
  • Design ThinkingFIAP2021

Skills

AI & Technology

AI Prompting, Generative AI, Anthropic/Claude API, Web3, RPA, Adobe Experience Manager, Acquia, CMS, Unity

Management & Operations

Operations Management, Process Improvement, PMO, Project Planning, Product Management, Six Sigma, Scrum, Kanban, Agile

Leadership & Strategy

Strategic Planning, Cross-functional Team Leadership, People Management, Organizational Development, Business Strategy

Marketing & Communication

Advertising, Digital Marketing, SEO, Digital Strategy, Digital Production, Campaign Management

Languages

  • PortugueseNative
  • EnglishAdvanced
  • SpanishAdvanced

Volunteering

  • FounderGG GroupFeb 2021 — Present

    Creating a toxicity-free space for minority gamers on streaming platforms.

  • FounderFade ArtJan 2011 — Present

    Event production company, including charity events organization.

Last updated — 2026