AHEAD builds platforms for digital business. By weaving together advances in cloud infrastructure, automation and analytics, and software delivery, we help enterprises deliver on the promise of digital transformation.
At AHEAD, we prioritize creating a culture of belonging, where all perspectives and voices are represented, valued, respected, and heard. We create spaces to empower everyone to speak up, make change, and drive the culture at AHEAD.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and do not discriminate based on an individual's race, national origin, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, marital status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law, whether actual or perceived.
We embrace all candidates that will contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives at AHEAD.
Role Overview
The AI Engagement Director is a senior consulting leader accountable for the successful delivery of AHEAD’s agentic AI engagements. This role owns the full lifecycle of client transformations, from strategy definition through execution oversight and value realization. The Director works directly with C-suite and senior stakeholders, shapes vision, aligns teams, removes delivery barriers, and ensures AHEAD delivers measurable, durable outcomes.
This leader blends strategic advisory, program leadership, and hands-on engagement oversight. They are responsible for making sure the work is delivered, the risks are surfaced and managed, the client experience is exceptional, and the outcomes match what was promised.
Strategic Rationale
As enterprises adopt agentic AI at scale, they need senior leadership who can translate strategy into real implementation. This role ensures clients succeed across vision setting, execution, governance, and adoption while maintaining AHEAD’s high bar for delivery excellence.
Role Scope and Focus
Engagement Ownership and Delivery Leadership
Own outcomes for client engagements from design through delivery
Lead day-to-day steering, issue resolution, prioritization, and executive alignment
Ensure program governance, risk mitigation, and predictable execution
Strategic Advisory
Guide definition of AI strategy, operating models, and transformation roadmaps
Translate AI capabilities into business outcomes and actionable plans
Executive Engagement
Serve as a trusted advisor to C-suite leaders
Drive decision-making, secure alignment, and shape client investment priorities
Oversight of Multi-Disciplinary Teams
Lead cross-functional squads across AI engineering, data, cloud, and change management
Ensure quality of deliverables and consistency in method and approach
Shape team structure, expectations, and execution rhythm
Governance, Risk, and Responsible AI
Establish and operationalize governance frameworks
Monitor regulatory shifts, security requirements, and responsible AI best practices
Business Alignment and Value Realization
Define KPIs and track value delivered
Ensure programs generate measurable impact and sustainable adoption
Thought Leadership and Market Presence
Represent AHEAD in client forums and industry events
Produce insights and reusable assets that elevate AHEAD’s positioning
Key Responsibilities
End-to-End Engagement Delivery
Lead planning, scoping, staffing, and execution of AI engagements
Convene steering committees, guide delivery leads, and manage critical risks
Ensure solutions meet business requirements, technical standards, and timeline commitments
Strategy and Roadmap Development
Create enterprise AI strategies, operating models, and implementation plans
Ensure strategies are actionable, measurable, and tied to financial impact
Executive Advisory
Facilitate client decision-making across use cases, architecture, readiness, funding, and governance
Build and maintain senior relationships and trusted-advisor credibility
Governance and Risk Management
Operationalize frameworks for responsible AI, compliance, and security
Ensure AI systems meet regulatory and ethical expectations
Cross-Functional Team Leadership
Lead teams of data engineers, ML engineers, product managers, and change leaders
Drive clarity on roles, deliverables, dependencies, and quality standards
Support talent growth, feedback loops, and performance coaching
Value Realization and Business Impact
Define KPIs, track benefits, and ensure outcomes are delivered and documented
Shape adoption plans with change and OCM teams
Internal Enablement
Contribute to best practices, playbooks, and reusable engagement models
Mentor emerging leaders in consulting craft and client leadership
Must-Have Qualifications
10 or more years of experience in consulting or enterprise leadership roles focused on AI, analytics, or digital transformation
Strong track record leading complex engagements with ownership of outcomes
Proven ability to manage executive stakeholders, facilitate decisions, and resolve issues at the senior level
Experience guiding AI or technology programs through strategy, design, and delivery
Deep understanding of AI technologies, enterprise data platforms, and modern architectures
Familiarity with responsible AI, governance frameworks, and risk management
Exceptional communication skills and executive presence
Experience leading cross-functional engineering and product teams
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with AHEAD’s ecosystem: cloud, data, platform engineering, AI platforms
Published thought leadership in AI or digital transformation
Certifications in AI governance, program management, or change management
Experience delivering multi-agent or agentic automation programs
Environment and Success Metrics
High-impact engagements with clear and measurable business outcomes
Strong executive feedback and expanded client relationships
Predictable delivery with low escalation rates and high team morale
Well-defined strategies and roadmaps adopted by client leadership
Repeatable frameworks and playbooks contributed back into AHEAD
Visible market-facing thought leadership aligned to AHEAD’s brand
Why AHEAD:
Through our daily work and internal groups like Moving Women AHEAD and RISE AHEAD, we value and benefit from diversity of people, ideas, experience, and everything in between.
We fuel growth by stacking our office with top-notch technologies in a multi-million-dollar lab, by encouraging cross department training and development, sponsoring certifications and credentials for continued learning.
USA Employment Benefits include:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- 401(k)
- Paid company holidays
- Paid time off
- Paid parental and caregiver leave
The compensation range indicated in this posting reflects the On-Target Earnings (“OTE”) for this role, which includes a base salary and any applicable target bonus amount. This OTE range may vary based on the candidate’s relevant experience, qualifications, and geographic location.
