Consulting Director, AI Strategy

Mastercard, Inc.; London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the financial services sector seeks a Senior Managing Consultant/Director for AI Strategy. This strategic role involves leading AI consulting engagements with top-tier clients, focusing on the implementation of innovative AI solutions in the payments ecosystem. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, significant expertise in AI, and a proven ability to drive results in complex environments.

Benefits

Professional Growth

Impact at Scale

Innovative Culture

Thought Leadership Opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in financial services or card issuing with measurable outcomes.
• Hands-on experience with GenAI using open source models.
• Proven thought leadership through publications and conferences.

Responsibilities

• Lead AI-driven consulting engagements and oversee multidisciplinary teams.
• Drive AI initiatives, quantifying value and designing solutions.
• Mentor junior colleagues and foster collaboration across teams.

Skills

Data-driven strategies

GenAI deployment

Executive presentation skills

Agile methodologies

Payments ecosystem knowledge

Team management

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science

Master’s or higher

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 unique products and services that help people, businesses, and governments realize their greatest potential.

Title and Summary

Senior Managing Consultant/Director, AI Strategy (Financial Services)

Position Overview

Reporting to the Principal and working closely with the Mastercard AI team, the Senior Managing Consultant, AI Strategy will lead AI-driven consulting engagements for clients—especially card issuers and other financial services organizations. You will oversee multidisciplinary teams of data scientists, ML engineers, and business strategists to develop and implement AI solutions that transform analytics, automation, and value generation in client organizations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Develop AI-Driven Strategies for Business Impact

• Identify high-impact AI and analytics opportunities within client organizations, especially in card issuing and payments.
• Quantify the value potential of AI solutions, including value levers, dependencies, and feasibility pathways to maximize ROI.
• Design end-to-end AI solutions leveraging data engineering, solution design, and domain expertise.
• Align with executive stakeholders, translating AI visions into actionable plans with clear success metrics.
• Scale AI initiatives across multiple use cases, proactively addressing technical and organizational hurdles.

Lead Rapid, Iterative AI Delivery

• Partner with AI and ML engineering leaders to oversee project roadmaps, pilots, and stakeholder updates.
• Collaborate with business leaders to gather feedback and refine solutions for maximum value.
• Balance technical feasibility with strategic impact, avoiding unnecessary complexity.
• Support client teams with change management and AI best practices to ensure full adoption.

Expand Thought Leadership & External Network

• Publish and present on 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.
• Participate in forums, client discussions, and industry events to enhance the firm's reputation and generate new business.

Innovate & Scale the AI Operating Model

• Develop new frameworks and methodologies to improve AI project delivery speed and consistency.
• Create reusable assets such as templates and playbooks for internal use.
• Mentor junior colleagues, providing technical guidance and career development support.
• Foster collaboration among data science, engineering, and business teams for holistic solutions.

Qualifications & Skills

• 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 like Deepseek or Liama.
• Demonstrated thought leadership through publications, conference speaking, or innovative AI solutions.
• Excellent executive presentation 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 in card issuing.
• Leadership experience managing teams and mentoring talent.
• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or related fields; Master’s or higher preferred.

Why Join Us

• Impact at Scale: Work with top-tier clients on transformative AI initiatives.
• Thought Leadership: Shape industry perspectives and build an influential network.
• Professional Growth: Enhance leadership and technical skills through cutting-edge projects.
• Innovative Culture: Contribute to a dynamic environment valuing experimentation and continuous learning.

Corporate Security Responsibility

All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks involve inherent risks. Every employee or collaborator must:

• Follow Mastercard's security policies and practices;
• Ensure confidentiality and integrity of accessed information;
• Report any security violations or breaches;
• Complete mandatory security trainings as per guidelines.