Consulting Director, AI Innovation

Cognizant; Greater London; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global technology provider is seeking an experienced professional to lead AI innovation for the retail sector in the UK, particularly focusing on strategic accounts. The successful candidate will define and deliver AI strategy while engaging with senior leadership. Requirements include over 5 years in consulting and 7 years in AI and data management. This role demands strong stakeholder communication skills, commercial acumen, and technical expertise in AI. This position is ideally based in London.

Qualifications

• 5+ years consulting practice leadership required.
• 7+ years experience delivering techno-functional solutions.
• 7+ years in data & AI.

Responsibilities

• Lead innovation across an enterprise with AI for a leading UK retailer.
• Define and deliver AI strategy across business units.
• Engage with executive leadership on AI as a trusted advisor.

Skills

Consulting practice leadership

Technical prowess in AI

Commercial acumen

Stakeholder communication

Relationship management

Job description

The Company

Cognizant (NASDAQ:CTSH) is a leading provider of information technology, consulting, and business process outsourcing services, dedicated to helping the world's leading companies build stronger businesses. Headquartered in Teaneck, New Jersey (U.S.), Cognizant has over 340,000 employees as of January 2025. Cognizant is a member of the NASDAQ-100, the S&P 500, the Forbes Global 1000, and the Fortune 500 and is ranked among the top performing and fastest growing companies in the world.

Cognizant Consulting

At Cognizant, our consultants orchestrate the capabilities to truly change the game across strategy, design, technology and industry/functional knowledge to deliver insight at speed and solutions at scale. Our consulting services elevate the unique abilities and business aspirations of customers and employees and build relationships based on trust and value.

Role Outline:

Direct AI innovation and drive growth in AI for UK&I, focusing on strategic accounts primarily within the retail sector. The role sits within the SME career track and is responsible for shaping and delivering AI strategy across the Consulting organisation.

Scope of the Role

Financial Scope: Direct consulting and service line revenue generation, with ownership of $1M in FY’25 and $6M in FY’26.

Geographical Scope: UK (ideally London-based).

Span Scope: Direct reports: 5; Indirect reports: 40–60

Key Responsibilities

• Client Responsibilities
• Lead innovation across an enterprise with AI for a leading UK retailer.
• Define and deliver AI strategy, working across business units to identify opportunities and communicate possibilities.
• Identify and prioritise AI use cases, build business cases, and unlock investment.
• Engage with executive leadership as a trusted advisor on AI.
• Direct AI programmes from concept to adoption, including technical development and change management.
• Maintain broad and deep technical knowledge of AI, engaging with product owners, data scientists, and engineers.
• Promote responsible AI use and articulate associated risks.
• Stay curious and up-to-date with industry developments, technologies, and trends.

Thought Leadership

• Act as a thought leader, shaping strategy, capabilities, and offerings.
• Develop points of view on technology opportunities and challenges.
• Create blogs, vlogs, and white papers; speak at events and webinars.
• Own the creation of internal/client demos and proofs of concept.

Practice Strategy and Offering Development

• Provide technical oversight and direction across offerings.
• Mentor associates, drive technical excellence, and support training and cross-skilling.

Experience Required

• 5+ years consulting practice leadership.
• 7+ years selling and delivering techno-functional solutions.
• 7+ years in data & AI.

Preferred: Extensive retail domain experience, understanding of digital technologies (Cloud, IoT), consultative selling, and solutioning

Key Competencies

• Technical prowess in AI.
• Deep domain knowledge of retail services.
• Commercial acumen for account growth.
• Senior stakeholder communication and leadership.
• Relationship management and conflict mediation.
• Organisational and leadership skills for strategy and innovation.