Principal Data Consultant – AI Readiness

AHEAD

. Own the success of complex engagements, including delivery quality, client satisfaction, financial performance, business outcomes, and strategic account growth .

Posted 9/25/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesLead💰 $220,000 - $260,000 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

AWSAzureCloudGoogle Cloud Platform

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Own the success of complex engagements, including delivery quality, client satisfaction, financial performance, business outcomes, and strategic account growth
Serve as the primary Engagement Lead and executive advisor throughout the engagement lifecycle
Define engagement strategy, governance, communication cadence, success measures, and executive reporting
Lead executive steering committees, governance meetings, roadmap workshops, and strategic planning sessions
Partner with Project Managers, Solution Architects, and Technical Leads to align execution with client objectives
Provide strategic direction across workstreams and maintain alignment with business priorities, contractual commitments, and long-term client goals
Proactively manage executive risks, organizational change, stakeholder alignment, staffing challenges, and delivery issues
Ensure engagements meet AHEAD quality standards, delivery methodologies, financial objectives, and governance expectations
Provide executive-level recommendations supporting informed decisions and measurable business results
Build trusted advisor relationships with executive business and technology leaders
Identify opportunities to expand client engagements and lead discovery workshops, strategy sessions, solution development, proposal strategy, estimation, pricing discussions, and executive presentations
Evolve consulting methodologies, engagement frameworks, governance standards, reusable intellectual property, and delivery best practices
Drive continuous improvement across the Data Practice
Mentor and coach consultants and emerging Engagement Leads
Support recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, succession planning, leadership development, and career growth
Promote collaboration across consulting, delivery, architecture, engineering, project management, sales, and client success teams
Maintain expertise in emerging technologies, industry trends, business transformation strategies, and modern data platforms
On smaller engagements, may act as Project Manager while primarily providing strategic engagement leadership

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Mathematics, Data Science, Business, or a related field
Typically 12–15+ years of progressively responsible experience leading enterprise data, analytics, AI, cloud, or digital transformation initiatives
Minimum seven years of consulting or professional services experience leading complex enterprise engagements
Demonstrated success as an Engagement Lead, Program Lead, or senior consulting leader for large, cross-functional transformation initiatives
Proven experience managing executive client relationships, engagement financials, delivery governance, organizational change, and strategic account growth
Experience leading executive workshops, steering committees, governance forums, and strategic planning sessions
Strong understanding of enterprise data platforms, analytics, AI, cloud technologies, governance, and modern architecture principles
Executive leadership and ability to influence senior business and technology stakeholders
Exceptional consulting skills, structured thinking, consultative problem solving, strategic planning, and executive communication
Strong business acumen aligning technology investments to measurable business outcomes
Ability to lead multiple teams while maintaining accountability for engagement success
Relationship management, facilitation, negotiation, conflict resolution, and executive presentation skills
Financial management skills including forecasting, margin management, budget oversight, and commercial decision-making
Ability to develop leaders, build high-performing teams, and foster accountability and continuous improvement
Executive presence, sound judgment, professionalism, and ability to lead through influence
Preferred: Master’s degree or MBA
Preferred: Professional certifications in cloud platforms, enterprise architecture, project management, Agile, AI, or data management
Preferred: Experience with Snowflake, Databricks, Microsoft Fabric, Microsoft Azure, AWS, GCP, or similar enterprise technologies
Preferred: Experience leading enterprise modernization, operating model transformation, data strategy, governance, AI adoption, or large-scale digital transformation programs
Preferred: Experience developing consulting offerings, strategic partnerships, or practice growth initiatives

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
401(k)
Paid company holidays
Paid time off
Paid parental and caregiver leave
Cross-department training and development
Sponsored certifications and credentials for continued learning
Diversity, belonging, and employee resource groups including Moving Women AHEAD and RISE AHEAD
AI application and interview review opt-out without penalty