Data and AI Commercial Director Middle East

Kearney Italia, Inc.; Abu Dhabi, Dubai; On-site; AED 450,000 - 600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Access to global learning programs

High-energy and inclusive environment

Opportunities for growth and development

Job summary

Kearney Italia, Inc. is seeking a Data and AI Commercial Director in Abu Dhabi to drive client relationships and lead data-driven transformations. You will operate at the intersection of business development and delivery, ensuring Kearney Activate escalates its market presence across data modernization and AI enablement.

The ideal candidate has 12+ years in commercial leadership, a strong grasp of data architecture, and a proven ability to shape technology strategies. Join a dynamic environment fostering innovation and impactful growth.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in professional services GTM, business development, or commercial leadership roles, ideally in Data, AI, or Cloud domains.
• Proven success in developing and executing commercial strategies for technology-enabled services.
• Deep understanding of enterprise sales cycles, pricing models, and value-based selling.

Responsibilities

• Build trusted C-suite relationships, advising clients on data and AI strategies that unlock measurable outcomes.
• Drive the origination and conversion of large-scale Data & AI transformation engagements.
• Lead complex deal shaping, proposals, SOWs, and negotiations to achieve revenue and margin goals.

Skills

Data architecture

Client relationship management

Business development

AI technologies

Negotiation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, technology, or related field

MBA

Job description

Data and AI Commercial Director Middle East

Full-time Middle East & Africa, Abu Dhabi, Dubai

Job Description

About Kearney Activate

Kearney Activate is the business acceleration and enablement arm of Kearney. We help organizations unlock business impact through advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and decision intelligence. Our mission is to transform data into a strategic advantage, bridging the gap between technology execution and business outcomes.

At Activate, you’ll find an entrepreneurial environment where deep technical expertise meets client impact, supported by the global scale, reach, and reputation of Kearney.

Our Data & AI business line bridges strategy, technology, and execution to deliver data-driven, AI-enabled, and cloud-powered transformations. We partner with leading platforms such as Microsoft, AWS, Snowflake, Databricks and Anthropic to help organizations build trusted data foundations, deploy intelligent solutions, and scale innovation.

We operate across four key focus areas:

• Advisory & Assurance Services: Driving strategy, governance, and change management to ensure impactful transformation.
• Data Services: Building trusted, high-quality data foundations using Agentic AI across engineering, architecture, and governance.
• Insights Services: Unlocking value through analytics, data science, and AI-driven storytelling for better decision-making.
• Asset Services: Developing reusable GenAI assets, accelerators, and AI-powered solutions that push the boundaries of innovation.

Position Overview

We are seeking an energetic, visionary, and client-focused leader as part of our go-to-market team in the Middle East. You’ll shape and own major client relationships, help lead Data and AI-driven transformations, and work with delivery leaders to define and drive next-generation data and AI offerings. While you won’t be coding, you must have real depth in data architecture, governance, AI technologies and program delivery, with the ability to guide teams, inspire clients, and roll up your sleeves when needed.

This role is about being the bridge: turning ambition into strategy, strategy into delivery, and delivery into measurable growth. You will operate at the intersection of business development, commercial strategy, and delivery enablement – ensuring that Kearney Activate continues to scale its impact and market presence across data modernization and AI enablement.

Your Responsibilities

• Build trusted C-suite relationships, advising clients on data and AI strategies that unlock measurable outcomes.
• Drive the origination and conversion of large-scale Data & AI transformation engagements, leading pursuits, proposals, and thought leadership to position Activate as the partner of choice.
• Represent Activate in the market as a recognized data and AI leader through conferences, publications, and executive forums.
• Lead complex deal shaping, proposals, SOWs, and negotiations to achieve revenue and margin goals.
• Work closely with strategic hyperscale and select technology partners (e.g. Microsoft, AWS, Snowflake, Databricks, and Anthropic) to align go-to-market activities.
• Support partner-led pipeline generation and co-sell initiatives.
• Collaborate with alliances and marketing teams to co-develop market propositions and thought leadership.
• Track Data & AI market trends, emerging technologies, and competitor activity to inform strategy.
• Enable other commercial and delivery team members with training, collateral, and GTM tools.
• Represent Kearney Activate at key industry forums, client events, and partner summits.

Your Profile

Required

• 12+ years of experience in professional services GTM, business development, or commercial leadership roles, ideally in Data, AI, or Cloud domains.
• Proven success in developing and executing commercial strategies for technology-enabled services.
• Deep understanding of enterprise sales cycles, pricing models, and value-based selling.
• Strong relationships within the technology ecosystem and enterprise client base.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and executive presence.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to operate in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, technology, or related field; MBA preferred.

Preferred

• Domain expertise in industries such as automotive manufacturing, consumer goods, or energy and process industries.
• Written and Verbal Arabic language skills.
• Established voice in the data and AI community (speaking, publishing, contributing to forums).
• Familiarity with data ethics, responsible AI, and regulatory compliance frameworks.

Why Join?

• Strategic Impact – Shape the commercial growth engine of one of Kearney’s fastest-growing digital businesses.
• Collaborative Ecosystem – Work with top technology partners and world-class consulting teams.
• Growth & Development – Access Kearney’s global learning programs and partner certifications.
• Culture – Join a hands-on, high-energy, and inclusive environment focused on innovation and impact.
• Purpose – Help global enterprises unlock value through trusted data foundations, AI enablement, and digital transformation.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-discrimination

Kearney Activate prides itself on providing a culture that allows employees to bring their best selves to work every day. Our people can feel comfortable, confident, and joyful to do great things for our firm, our teams, and our clients. Kearney Activate aims to build diverse capabilities to help our clients solve their most mission critical problems. Kearney Activate is committed to building a diverse, unbiased and inclusive workforce. Kearney Activate is an equal opportunity employer; we recruit, hire, train, promote, develop, and provide other conditions of employment without regard to a person’s gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, pregnancy status, veteran status, genetic information or any other differences consistent with applicable laws. This includes providing reasonable accommodation for disabilities, or religious beliefs and practices. Members of communities historically underrepresented in analytics and consulting are encouraged to apply.