AI Advisory Lead

Accenture; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 132,000 - 278,000; Full time

Job summary

Accenture is seeking an Associate Director to shape and lead enterprise-wide AI and data transformation for public sector clients in Canada. You will translate government roadmaps into actionable AI strategies and operating models, mentoring teams and embedding responsible AI and governance.

You will oversee end-to-end delivery of complex, large-scale data and AI programs, working with Deputy Ministers and senior stakeholders to ensure measurable value and governance compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in CS, business, commerce, or engineering.
• 10+ years in data/AI or digital transformation with 3–5+ years in leadership.
• Proven track record leading large AI/data transformation engagements with senior sponsors.
• Deep understanding of generative AI, LLMs, agentic systems, RAG, and analytics.
• Strong data architecture, data management, and cloud data platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP).
• Business acumen to link AI initiatives to value, cost, risk, and operating models.
• Excellent stakeholder mgmt; experience with C-suite/government leaders.
• English proficiency; able to communicate to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Excellent project/program delivery skills; multitasking across initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Architect and lead end-to-end AI and data transformation programmes within the public sector.
• Engage with Deputy Ministers, C-suite sponsors, and senior client stakeholders.
• Define and embed AI-powered operating models and governance frameworks.
• Architect solution mixes including generative AI, LLMs, and RAG to align value and risk.
• Estimate cost models and drive technology sourcing and vendor partnerships.
• Oversee design and implementation of scalable data and AI solutions on cloud platforms.
• Lead development of data products and AI-powered solutions delivering measurable value.
• Enforce data governance ensuring accuracy, accessibility, and compliance.
• Oversee end-to-end delivery of large-scale data/AI projects on time and budget.
• Identify opportunities to modernize legacy government systems.

Skills

AI strategy

Data delivery

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Cloud platforms

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS/BA/Engineering

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

RAG

Job description

Accenture Data & AI - the people who love using data to tell a story. We're the world's largest team of data scientists and experts in machine learning and AI. A great day for us means solving big problems using the latest tech, serious brain power, and deep knowledge of just about every industry. We believe a mix of data, analytics, automation, and responsible AI can do almost anything - spark digital reinvention, widen the range of what humans can do, and breathe life into smart products and services.

In the Public Sector, we partner with government agencies, crown corporations, and public institutions to drive meaningful, citizen-centred transformation. We bring the full depth of Accenture's AI and data capabilities to solve complex challenges that matter at a societal scale.

You Are:

A thought leader and practitioner at the intersection of AI strategy and data delivery - someone who can shape and lead enterprise-wide AI and data transformation programmes for public sector clients. You translate high-level government and institutional roadmaps into actionable AI strategies, delivery frameworks, and operating models. You connect and advise senior client stakeholders through strong storytelling, a data-driven mindset, and deep knowledge of the public sector landscape.

As an Associate Director, you will coach and mentor up-and-coming leaders, guide diverse multi-disciplinary teams, and help clients embed AI and data capabilities as a lasting part of their organisational culture - with a strong focus on responsible AI, data governance, and public trust.

What You'll Be Doing:

AI Strategy & Transformation

• Architect and lead end-to-end AI and data transformation programmes within the public sector - from visioning and strategy through roadmap, use-case prioritisation, business case, value capture model, and scaling to full operations.
• Engage with Deputy Ministers, C-suite sponsors, and senior client stakeholders to identify strategic AI and data opportunities, align them to government mandates and business objectives, and define measurable success metrics.
• Define and embed AI-powered operating models, governance frameworks, organisational readiness plans (people, process, technology), and change management strategies to operationalise AI at scale in public sector environments.
• Architect solution mixes including generative AI and LLMs, retrieval-augmented workflows (RAG), agentic automation, and advanced data architecture - ensuring alignment to business value and risk, privacy, and ethical requirements specific to the public sector.
• Estimate cost models and business viability of AI and LLM usage patterns - including licensing, cloud/compute, fine-tuning, and ongoing operationalisation - and drive decisions on technology sourcing and vendor partnerships.

Data & AI Delivery

• Oversee the design and implementation of scalable, secure data and AI solutions on cloud and/or hybrid platforms (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud), ensuring alignment to best practices in data management, governance, and quality.
• Lead the development of data products and AI-powered solutions that deliver actionable insights and measurable operational value for public sector clients.
• Implement and enforce data governance frameworks ensuring data accuracy, accessibility, and compliance with relevant public sector regulations and standards.
• Oversee end-to-end delivery of complex, large-scale data and AI projects - from planning and resource allocation through execution and post-implementation support - ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and to Accenture's quality standards.
• Continuously identify opportunities to improve data infrastructure performance, reduce cost, and modernise legacy government systems.

Leadership & People

• Lead cross-functional delivery teams spanning strategy, design, architecture, engineering, data science, and delivery - including mentoring, resource planning, performance management, and ensuring high-quality client outcomes.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement within your teams and the broader Accenture Public Sector practice.
• Manage financial oversight of AI and data programmes: forecasting, budgeting, commercial tracking, risk mitigation, and value realisation metrics.

Business Development & Thought Leadership

• Drive go-to-market efforts: contribute to proposal development, service offering definition, executive thought leadership, and internal capability uplift within the Public Sector practice.
• Establish and manage delivery frameworks and reusable solution patterns for AI strategy and execution, enabling acceleration across public sector clients.
• Keep abreast of developments in AI, data management, cloud computing, and public sector policy - continuously exploring and integrating emerging tools and approaches.

Job Qualifications

Here's what you need:

• Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, business administration, commerce, or engineering
• 10+ years of experience in data, AI, or digital transformation - with at least 3-5 years in a leadership or management role within consulting or a comparable environment.
• Proven track record of leading large, complex AI and data transformation engagements with senior client sponsors and multi-million-dollar budgets.
• Deep understanding of generative AI, LLM technologies, agentic systems, RAG, and advanced analytics, and how they map to business opportunity and operating model change.
• Solid understanding of data architecture, data management practices, and cloud-based data and AI platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), including data lakes, data pipelines, and real-time data processing.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to link AI and data ambitions to value creation, cost models, risk models, and operating model design.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills - including experience influencing at C-suite or equivalent government leadership level, and driving strategic decisions under ambiguity.
• Understanding of data governance frameworks and best practices, including data quality, security, and compliance standards.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences. English is required as this role regularly interacts with stakeholders across Canada, the US, and globally.
• Excellent project and programme delivery skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.

Bonus points if:

• Prior experience in public sector, government, or regulated industry engagements (federal, provincial, or municipal).
• Experience within Financial Services, Health, or other regulated sectors driving AI-enabled reinvention.
• Demonstrated thought leadership in AI strategy, generative AI/LLMs, or agentic automation.
• Direct experience developing AI operating models, maturity assessments, and value frameworks.
• Familiarity with cloud-native data services and modern data platform tooling across major cloud providers.
• Prior experience managing global delivery or offshore teams.

Compensation at Accenture varies depending on a wide array of factors, which may include but are not limited to the specific office location, role, skill set, and level of experience. As required by local law, Accenture provides a reasonable range of compensation, based on full-time employment, for roles that may be hired as set forth below.

The recruiting efforts for this position are intended to fill a brand new position.

The base pay range shown below is intended as a guideline to reflect the majority of offers for this role.

It does not represent a maximum limit - in some cases, actual compensation may exceed the range where appropriate.

Information on benefits is here:

Role Location Annual SalaryRange

British Columbia/Ontario/New Brunswick $131,700 to $278,100