Senior Managing Consultant – Strategy & Transformation – AI Strategy (Financial Services)

MasterCard; Toronto; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Managing Consultant specializing in AI Strategy within Financial Services. This role involves leading AI-driven consulting engagements, developing strategies to enhance client operations, and mentoring junior colleagues. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative AI solutions that address complex business challenges. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, a deep understanding of the payments ecosystem, and a passion for data-driven consulting. Join a dynamic team that values collaboration and innovation, and make a significant impact in the financial services sector.

Qualifications

• Experience leading data-driven strategies in financial services.
• Hands-on experience with GenAI and deploying use cases.

Responsibilities

• Develop AI-driven strategies for business impact in financial services.
• Lead teams to implement AI solutions for client organizations.

Skills

AI Strategy

Data-driven Strategies

Communication Skills

Leadership

Agile Methodologies

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science

Master’s Degree or Higher

Tools

GenAI

Open-source LLM Models

Job description

Our Purpose

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart, and accessible. Our technology, innovation, partnerships, and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses, and governments realize their greatest potential.

Title and Summary

Senior Managing Consultant – Strategy & Transformation – AI Strategy (Financial Services)

Services within Mastercard are responsible for acquiring, engaging, and retaining customers by managing fraud and risk, enhancing cybersecurity, and improving the digital payments experience. We provide value-added services and leverage expertise, data-driven insights, and execution. Our Advisors & Consulting Services team combines traditional management consulting with Mastercard’s rich data assets, proprietary platforms, and technologies to provide clients with powerful strategic insights and recommendations. Our teams work with a diverse global customer base across industries, from banking and payments to retail and restaurants.

The Advisors & Consulting Services group has five specializations: Strategy & Transformation, Performance Analytics, Business Experimentation, Marketing, and Program Management. The Senior Managing Consultant, AI Strategy will be a subject matter expert on AI within the Strategy & Transformation specialization.

Reporting to the Principal and working closely with the Mastercard AI team, you will spearhead AI-driven consulting engagements for clients—especially card issuers and other financial services organizations. You will lead teams to develop long-term strategies to build and implement AI solutions that transform how clients approach analytics, automation, and value generation. In this role, you will:

• Shape and deliver AI strategies that address complex business challenges for payments-centric companies.
• Advance the firm’s AI capabilities through consistent thought leadership, external outreach, and the development of new service offerings.
• Mentor and grow junior colleagues, fostering a collaborative team culture around innovative AI methodologies.

We are looking for passionate and talented professionals, who share our vision for data-driven consulting, to join us and take a leading role in shaping the growth of our team.

Roles and Responsibilities

A Senior Managing Consultant focused on leading client engagements centered around AI Strategy, particularly in Financial Services Institutions.

Client Impact

• Develop AI-Driven Strategies for Business Impact
• Identify high-impact opportunities for AI and analytics within client organizations, especially in card issuing and payments.
• Quantify the full value potential of AI solutions, detailing value levers, dependencies, and pathways to maximize ROI.
• Architect end-to-end AI solutions by combining expertise in data engineering, solution design, and domain knowledge (e.g., credit card issuing).
• Secure alignment from executive stakeholders, translating AI visions into actionable plans with clear timelines, deliverables, and success metrics.
• Scale AI initiatives across multiple use cases, proactively addressing technical or organizational hurdles to ensure adoption.

Leading AI Delivery

• Partner with AI and ML engineering leaders to oversee project roadmaps, ensuring iterative development, pilot rollouts, and stakeholder updates.
• Collaborate with business leaders to co-own solutions, gather feedback, and refine scopes for maximum value.
• Balance technical feasibility with strategic payoff, avoiding unnecessary complexity.
• Augment client teams with change management and AI expertise to ensure value realization and best practices adoption.

Thought Leadership & External Network

• Publish and present on cutting-edge AI methods and industry insights through whitepapers, case studies, conferences, and journals.
• Build a network of AI experts, industry leaders, and academic partners to stay at the forefront of AI trends.
• Advise on AI ethics, governance, and regulatory considerations in financial services.
• Enhance the firm’s reputation via industry forums, client discussions, and events to generate new business opportunities.

Innovating & Scaling the AI Operating Model

• Develop new delivery frameworks and methodologies to improve AI project speed and consistency.
• Create reusable assets like templates and playbooks for internal use.
• Mentor junior colleagues, providing technical guidance and career support.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration among data science, engineering, and business teams.

Team Collaboration & Culture

• Guide teams through complex problem solving to deliver client value.
• Motivate teams to produce high-quality deliverables and foster an inclusive, collaborative environment.
• Manage relationships with internal Mastercard stakeholders to scope projects, develop solutions, and build intellectual capital.
• Mentor and coach junior team members inside and outside of direct engagements.

Qualifications

• Experience leading data-driven strategies with measurable outcomes, preferably in financial services, payments, or card issuing.
• Hands-on experience with GenAI: developing and deploying GenAI use cases with proven value, using open-source LLM models (e.g., Deepseek, Liama).
• Proven thought leadership through publications, speaking engagements, or innovative AI solutions.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of translating complex AI concepts for non-technical stakeholders.
• Familiarity with agile methodologies and modern project management practices.
• Deep understanding of the payments ecosystem and operational challenges faced by card issuers.
• Leadership experience managing teams and mentoring talent.
• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in computer science, engineering, or related fields; Master’s or advanced degree preferred.
• Willingness to travel.

Additional Information

#AI2Mastercard is an inclusive, merit-based employer that considers all qualified applicants without regard to protected characteristics. For accommodations during the application process, contact [e-mail].

Corporate Security Responsibility

All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks carry inherent risks. Everyone working for or on behalf of Mastercard must:

• Abide by Mastercard’s security policies;
• Ensure confidentiality and integrity of accessed information;
• Report security violations or breaches;
• Complete mandatory security trainings as per guidelines.