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Principal Data Strategist

Chicago, Illinois

We're looking for a visionary and results-driven Principal to lead the Americas Offering Activation for our Artificial Intelligence services. In 2025, AI has moved far beyond foundational data & AI strategies, now encompassing sophisticated Machine Learning, the transformative power of Generative AI, and the emerging paradigm of Agentic AI.

This role is for a seasoned executive who can not only navigate this complex terrain but actively activate and capture market share by driving impactful AI-led transformations for our clients.

As an Offering Leader, you'll be instrumental in shaping our clients' futures, enabling them to leverage cutting-edge AI to unlock new revenue streams, optimize operations, and create differentiated customer experiences.

This role requires a unique blend of strategic acumen, deep technical understanding of the AI ecosystem, exceptional go-to-market leadership, and a proven track record of driving significant business growth through innovative data & AI solutions. You'll translate complex AI capabilities into tangible business value, foster an ecosystem of innovation, and position our firm as the premier partner for AI-driven transformation across the Americas.

Job responsibilities

Offering Activation & Market Growth

  • Offering Activation & Market Growth
  • Define, lead, and execute the offering activation strategy for our AI services across the Americas, identifying key market opportunities, client segments, and strategic partnerships.
  • Develop and champion innovative AI service offerings and solutions that leverage Machine Learning, Generative AI, and Agentic AI to address critical client business challenges and create new market demand.
  • Collaborate closely with client, and sales teams to develop compelling value propositions, and thought leadership that articulate our unique AI capabilities and impact for the client context.
  • Drive aggressive revenue growth for the AI practice through new client acquisition, expansion of existing accounts, and strategic alliances.

Client Transformation & Value Realization

  • Partner with C-level executives and senior business leaders to understand their strategic imperatives and co-create bespoke AI transformation roadmaps that align with their enterprise objectives.
  • Lead the discovery, ideation, and design phases of complex AI programs, translating business requirements into technical architectures and implementation strategies across Machine Learning, Generative AI, and Agentic AI solutions.
  • Provide expert advisory on the ethical implications, responsible deployment, and governance of advanced AI systems, ensuring compliance and building client trust.
  • Guide clients through the organizational and cultural changes necessary to embrace and scale AI, fostering an AI-first mindset and establishing robust AI adoption frameworks.
  • Oversee the successful delivery of high-impact AI engagements, ensuring client satisfaction, demonstrable ROI, and the continuous evolution of our service delivery capabilities.

Offering Leadership & Innovation

  • Drive the creation of differentiated intellectual property, accelerators, and reusable assets related to AI strategy, implementation, and governance with our global AI teams.
  • Stay at the forefront of AI advancements, particularly in areas like multi-modal AI, large language models (LLMs), autonomous agents, and AI-driven automation, integrating new capabilities into our offerings.
  • Develop and nurture strategic partnerships with leading AI technology providers, research institutions, and industry associations to enhance our capabilities and market reach.
  • Represent the firm's AI expertise in various internal and external forums, contributing to our global knowledge base and fostering cross-regional collaboration.

Job qualifications

  • Extensive Consulting Leadership Experience: Over 15 years of progressive experience in a top-tier management consulting firm, with a significant focus on leading and growing Artificial Intelligence, Data, or Digital Transformation practices.
  • Deep AI Domain Expertise: Demonstrated expertise across the full spectrum of AI, including:
  • Machine Learning (ML): Proven experience in designing and implementing scalable ML solutions, covering various model types (e.g., supervised, unsupervised, reinforcement learning) and their application to business problems.
  • Generative AI: Strong understanding and practical experience with large language models (LLMs), generative adversarial networks (GANs), and other generative AI techniques, including their application in content creation, code generation, and synthetic data.
  • Agentic AI: Familiarity with the principles and emerging applications of Agentic AI, including autonomous agents, multi-agent systems, and their potential for complex decision-making and automation.
  • Offering Activation & Business Development Acumen: Proven track record of developing and executing successful offering activation strategies, driving significant revenue growth, and closing large-scale, complex consulting engagements within the AI/Data space.
  • Client Executive Engagement: Exceptional ability to engage, influence, and build trusted relationships with C-level executives and senior stakeholders across diverse industries.
  • Strategic & Analytical Thinking: Superior analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate complex business challenges into actionable AI strategies and solutions.
  • Delivery Leadership: Experience in overseeing the successful delivery of complex AI programs, ensuring quality, scope, budget, and client satisfaction.
  • Industry Recognition: A strong professional network and recognition within the AI or consulting community, ideally evidenced by speaking engagements, publications, or industry awards.
  • Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, Business, or a related quantitative field. An MBA or advanced degree in AI/ML is highly desirable.

Professional Skills

  • Executive Presence & Communication: Possesses an executive presence with exceptional verbal and written communication skills, capable of articulating complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences and influencing senior decision-makers.
  • Strategic Vision & Foresight: Demonstrates the ability to anticipate market trends, identify emerging AI technologies, and proactively shape our offerings to capitalize on future opportunities.
  • Growth Mindset & Entrepreneurial Drive: A proactive and entrepreneurial spirit, driven by a passion for innovation, growth, and building a leading AI practice.
  • Leadership & Talent Development: Proven ability to inspire, mentor, and develop high-performing teams, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment.
  • Negotiation & Influence: Skilled negotiator with the ability to navigate complex client dynamics and internal stakeholders, driving consensus and achieving desired outcomes.
  • Resilience & Adaptability: Thrives in dynamic and ambiguous environments, demonstrating resilience in the face of challenges and adapting strategies to evolving market conditions.
  • Client Centricity: Deep commitment to understanding client needs, delivering exceptional value, and building long-term, trusted partnerships.
  • Commercial Acumen: Strong understanding of business models, financial drivers, and the ability to articulate the commercial impact of AI solutions.

Other things to know

Learning & Development

There is no one-size-fits-all career path at Thoughtworks: however you want to develop your career is entirely up to you. But we also balance autonomy with the strength of our cultivation culture. This means your career is supported by interactive tools, numerous development programs and teammates who want to help you grow. We see value in helping each other be our best and that extends to empowering our employees in their career journeys.

Travel

While we’ve traditionally been a traveling consultancy, we have adopted a hybrid working model with the majority of work being completed remotely from either home or local Thoughtworks offices. However, business travel to client locations should be expected when required by Thoughtworks or our clients’ needs. 

Company Policies

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

About Thoughtworks

Thoughtworks is a global technology consultancy that integrates strategy, design and engineering to drive digital innovation. For 30+ years, our clients have trusted our autonomous teams to build solutions that look past the obvious. Here, computer science grads come together with seasoned technologists, self-taught developers, midlife career changers and more to learn from and challenge each other. Career journeys flourish with the strength of our cultivation culture, which has won numerous awards around the world.

Join Thoughtworks and thrive. Together, our extra curiosity, innovation, passion and dedication overcomes ordinary.

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