Job DescriptionJob Summary:This role is responsible for planning, managing, executing, and leading a team in AI, Automation, and Data-Driven consulting related engagements, including AI Readiness/Operational assessments; AI Strategy; IT Strategy; in addition to Digital Transformation efforts. In this role, the AI Strategist is charged with managing teams of professionals through all potential project states of diagnostic, planning, solution design and delivery to include managing engagement economics, accurate status reporting, and quality control. This role is responsible for ensuring exceptional client service and high-quality engagement deliverables enabling our clients to make impactful data-driven decisions. The AI Strategist is also responsible for developing new business with existing clients and prospects while managing all aspects of client pursuits and advice to the practice leadership, professional development, thought leadership, and business development including all phases of the client proposal process.
Job Duties:- Drives data, AI, and intelligent automation strategy discussions with clients and prospects, while demonstrating industry vertical domain knowledge
- Authors a client's AI & Automation Strategy, working closely with BDO AI and automation architects/engineers/analysts to estimate cost and effort
- Leads AI discovery engagements: finds, evaluates and ranks use cases by business value, feasibility, data readiness and risk
- Builds business cases and ROI models for priority use cases, and defines success metrics so value can be measured after go-live
- Writes AI roadmaps and phased plans that turn into implementation SOWs, working with AI architects on solution approach and estimates
- Advises clients on AI governance and responsible AI, including usage policies, risk tiering, and data privacy and regulatory considerations
- Designs AI operating models for clients, including Centre of Excellence (CoE) structure, roles, intake processes and funding models
- Plans change management and adoption so AI solutions actually get used across the client's business
- Leads quick GenAI and agentic AI prototypes (copilots, agents, document intelligence) on client data to confirm value and requirements early
- Helps develop and package the firm's AI strategy and discovery offerings, including methods, assessment frameworks and reusable assets
- Builds relationships with technology partners (for example, Microsoft) to support joint go-to-market and client pursuits
- Executes sales and go to market activities including industry vertical analytics presentations, authoring of thought leadership web content for the Firm, sales opportunity identification/qualification, analytics project scoping, solution demonstrations, and sales proposals
- Conducts client workshops and interviews to understand the client's AI and automation maturity, prioritize AI and automation gaps, and identify technology innovation opportunities
- Leads the transition from sales to engagement kickoff, by overseeing staffing plans and managing client expectations
- Leads interactive sessions to gather and recommend AI and intelligent automation requirements, while envisioning viable AI and intelligent automation solutions that solve business challenges
- Builds visualization prototypes using sample data, to discover and confirm client requirements via tangible demonstration
- Oversees or executes the creation of functional design documentation.
- Manages and builds client relationships during project execution, effectively becoming a trusted advisor of the client
- Consults the transition from solution build into validation/testing/deployment, to ensure the requirements/intentions/vision of the functional design is upheld
- Maintains a broad and current understanding of AI, automation, Data, and IT strategies, methodologies, and tools
- Contributes to Firm intellectual property around agentic AI use cases, techniques, and best practices
- Other duties as assigned
Supervisory Responsibilities:- Manages approaches to industry vertical use cases and recommend best practices
- Builds and leads a team of AI strategists and managers, including hiring, performance management and career development
- Owns pipeline, sales and utilization targets for AI strategy work, including the rate at which discovery turns into delivery work
- Manages client expectations and oversees the execution of their authored data strategy
- Mentors project team members on industry vertical trends and development
Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:Education:- Bachelor's degree, required
Experience:- Eight (8) or more years of experience within AI, Automation, AI Consulting, or AI Strategy, required
- Four (4) or more years of experience developing, driving, leading and managing AI & automation strategy for clients, required
- Demonstrated experience leading AI or GenAI solutions, prototypes, or strategy-led AI implementations that were built and put to use with clients, with measurable business results the candidate can demonstrate, required
License/Certification:- Project Management Professional (PMP), AWS Certified Machine Learning - Specialty, Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate, Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), or Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US), preferred
Software:- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, required
- Knowledge of statistical techniques, RAG, and LLMs, preferred
- Knowledge of cloud data ingestion/storage/transformation technologies, preferred
Language:Other Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:- Strong project management and client relationship management skills
- Ability to work with a high degree of professionalism and autonomy
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Solid organizational skills, especially the ability to meet project deadlines with a focus on details
- Ability to successfully multi-task while working independently or within a group environment
- Ability to work in a deadline-driven environment, and handle multiple projects simultaneously
- Ability to interact effectively with people at all organizational levels of the Firm
- Ability to effectively managing a team of professionals and delegating work assignments, as needed
- Capacity to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and client personnel
- Ability to encourage a team environment on engagements, and contribute to the professional development of assigned personnel
- Executive presence, with the ability to act as primary contact on assigned engagements
Keywords: Data Analytics, Business Intelligence, Data Strategy, AI, Business Analyst, Tableau, Statistics, AI, Automation, Advising
About UsAt BDO, how we show up matters. We build strong relationships by supporting one another, our clients, and our communities with care, curiosity, and a commitment to helping one another grow and succeed. Here, you'll find meaningful work, leaders invested in your success, and opportunities to build a career around what matters most to you.
Our purpose is to be the people our clients count on to grow with confidence and achieve what matters most. Our values guide how we bring that purpose to life each day. Together, they shape how we work with one another, serve our clients, and create meaningful impact.
BDO provides assurance, tax, and advisory services to clients across the U.S. and around the world. No matter your role, you'll be part of a team helping clients navigate complexity and move forward with clarity.
As technology continues to shape how we work, BDO values the ability to apply generative and agentic AI solutions to develop work products, improve workflows and identify potential risks. Across our firm, we emphasize professional judgment in validating AI-generated outputs for accuracy, quality, and compliance.
We are proud to be an ESOP company, offering participants a stake in the firm's success through beneficial ownership and a unique opportunity to enhance their financial well-being. As a qualified retirement plan, the ESOP is a meaningful addition to our comprehensive compensation and Total Rewards benefits* offerings. It also reinforces an ownership mindset that strengthens our connection to one another, our clients, and the future we're building together.
Learn more about our benefits: BDO Total Rewards encompass more than traditional benefits. Click here to find out more!
*Benefits may be subject to eligibility requirements.
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets
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