AI & Data Lead, Commercial Financial Services

Job Family:
Data Engineering & Architecture Consulting

Travel Required:
Up to 25%

Clearance Required:
None

Executive Summary

Guidehouse is a recognized leader in shaping AI and data client engagements, leading multidisciplinary teams, and delivering transformative AI and data solutions to financial institutions, including banks, insurers, asset managers, and fintechs. Our AI & Data Practice brings together deep technical expertise, regulatory domain knowledge, and proven transformation methodologies to help government organizations responsibly adopt and scale emerging technologies.

As a Director and AI & Data Lead, you will shape and expand Guidehouse's AI and analytics capabilities across financial institutions, including banks, insurers, asset managers, and fintechs. You will drive the strategy, development, and delivery of cutting-edge AI solutions-including machine learning, generative AI, intelligent automation, cloud-native data platforms, and enterprise data governance. This role combines executive-level client advisory, technical leadership, and business development ownership to grow a rapidly scaling portfolio at the intersection of AI and data innovation and commercial financial services companies.

You will drive market growth, lead technical solution delivery, build high-performing teams, and advise senior executives on responsible AI adoption, governance, and modernization. This role blends strategic leadership, hands-on technical credibility, and business development accountability, consistent with Guidehouse's Director expectations.

What You Will Do

• Lead Guidehouse's AI & Data portfolio for Commercial Financial Services, setting vision, driving execution, and shaping go-to-market strategies.
• Serve as the primary executive advisor to financial institutions, including banks, insurers, asset managers, and fintechs on AI strategy, data modernization, responsible AI governance, intelligent automation, and advanced analytics.
• Oversee delivery of complex AI/data programs including cloud-native architectures, machine learning platforms, model development, MLOps, data engineering, and enterprise data governance.
• Lead and coach multidisciplinary teams of data scientists, engineers, strategists, and consultants; ensure delivery excellence, quality, and client satisfaction.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships with CXOs, agency leadership, and senior stakeholders across regulatory and oversight entities.
• Drive business development, including pipeline creation, opportunity pursuit, proposal development, and thought leadership.
• Own growth targets and delivery financials, including portfolio profitability, delivery oversight, and staffing optimization.
• Shape and institutionalize Guidehouse methodologies, accelerators, and best practices for AI and data, and responsible use of emerging technologies.
• Partner with internal teams to recruit, mentor, and retain top AI and data talent.
• Represent Guidehouse at industry forums and working groups, and AI/governance communities of practice.

What You Will Need

• 10+ years of experience delivering AI and Data in cloud-based environments, or Advanced Analytics solutions within commercial financial services environments.
• Based on our contractual obligations, candidate must be located within the United States and .
• Demonstrated technical leadership delivering AI/ML, data engineering, data governance, or intelligent automation projects at enterprise scale.
• Proven consulting experience, including managing client relationships, leading delivery teams, and driving high-quality outcomes across large initiatives.
• Business development success, including leading go-to-market efforts, shaping solutions, writing proposals, and closing deals.
• Strong executive communication skills with demonstrated ability to explain complex AI/technical topics to business and mission audiences.
• Relevant AI, cloud, or data certifications, such as:
  • AWS Machine Learning / Data Analytics / Solutions Architect
  • Azure AI Engineer / Data Engineer / Solutions Architect
  • Databricks Data Engineer / Machine Learning Professional
  • Snowflake SnowPro certifications
• Experience leading implementations in cloud environments such as AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, or hybrid environments, including secure cloud deployments.

What Would Be Nice to Have

• Prior leadership roles within a consulting firm or leading systems integrator.
• Experience with Generative AI, LLM operations, agentic AI, RAG design patterns, or enterprise AI governance frameworks.
• Understanding of financial institutions, including banks, insurers, asset managers, and fintechs. .
• Familiarity with data privacy, model risk management, responsible AI, and ethics frameworks.
• Thought leadership experience-published articles, conference presentations, speaking engagements.

The annual salary range for this position is $226,000.00-$376,000.00. Compensation decisions depend on a wide range of factors, including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, security clearances, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs.

What We Offer:

Guidehouse offers a comprehensive, total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace.

Benefits include:

• Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays
• Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus
• Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Basic Life & Supplemental Life
• Health Savings Account, Dental/Vision & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Student Loan PayDown
• Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development & Learning Opportunities
• Skills Development & Certifications
• Employee Referral Program
• Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach
• Emergency Back-Up Childcare Program
• Mobility Stipend

About Guidehouse

Guidehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer-Protected Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.

Guidehouse will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law or ordinance including the Fair Chance Ordinance of Los Angeles and San Francisco.

If you have visited our website for information about employment opportunities, or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Guidehouse Recruiting at 1- or via email at All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodation.

All communication regarding recruitment for a Guidehouse position will be sent from Guidehouse email domains including @guidehouse.com or Correspondence received by an applicant from any other domain should be considered unauthorized and will not be honored by Guidehouse. Note that Guidehouse will never charge a fee or require a money transfer at any stage of the recruitment process and does not collect fees from educational institutions for participation in a recruitment event. Never provide your banking information to a third party purporting to need that information to proceed in the hiring process.

If any person or organization demands money related to a job opportunity with Guidehouse, please report the matter to Guidehouse's Ethics Hotline. If you want to check the validity of correspondence you have received, please contact Guidehouse is not responsible for losses incurred (monetary or otherwise) from an applicant's dealings with unauthorized third parties.

Guidehouse does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Guidehouse and Guidehouse will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.