AI COE - Strategic Partnerships & Execution

Edelman Financial Engines; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 151,000 - 202,000; Full time

Job summary

Edelman Financial Engines in the United States seeks a Director of Strategic Partnerships and Execution to lead AI initiatives across the AI Center of Excellence. You will align stakeholders, orchestrate cross-functional execution, and drive adoption of AI-powered capabilities with a focus on governance and delivery.

The role requires navigating large, regulated environments, building trusted partnerships, and turning vision into actionable programs that propel the firm’s AI strategy forward.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 10+ years of experience spanning product, technology, or data.
• Proven track record of leading large-scale, cross-functional transformations with measurable business impact.
• Experience deploying AI/ML solutions in regulated environments (financial services preferred).
• Strong understanding of AI/ML ecosystems, LLMs, data platforms, and orchestration layers.
• Track record of balancing innovation, risk, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience working with cross functional teams.
• Ability to operate across product, engineering, data, and business domains.
• Deep systems thinking and ability to manage complex, interdependent ecosystems.
• Ability to drive alignment, accountability, and adoption across teams.
• Experience with vendor management and vendor lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary liaison between the AI Center of Excellence and enterprise partners (Legal, Compliance, Security, Risk, Privacy, Procurement, Technology, Operations).
• Build and maintain cross-functional relationships to support AI and technology initiatives.
• Coordinate vendor onboarding, evaluation, and engagement with Procurement, Legal, Compliance, and Technology.
• Establish performance expectations and monitor progress against commitments and service levels.
• Develop and enhance processes for better governance and execution across the AI COE ecosystem.
• Establish metrics to measure partnership effectiveness and business outcomes.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional leadership

Execution management

AI/ML familiarity

Business partnerships

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

At Edelman Financial Engines (EFE), our purpose is to guide people with the financial advice they need to thrive.

We believe that every dollar saved represents a lifetime of hard work and aspirations, and every dollar invested has a job to do for our clients. That’s why we are committed to managing our clients’ investments by truly understanding them as people first and then delivering advice, strategies and solutions to help them feel confident about the plans they are making, whether for today, tomorrow, or in the great unknown future. Our goal is to build long‑term relationships based on respect, integrity, and a belief that our responsibility is to help people make smart investments decisions in every stage of their lives.

Our culture is grounded in our CORE values: Client First, One Team, Respectful Candor, and Endless Curiosity. These values guide everything we do, for our clients and each other. We are committed to moving forward together. If you are inspired by purpose‑driven work and a collaborative, values‑led culture, we invite you to explore a career with us.

As a Director of Strategic Partnerships and Execution in the AI Center of Excellence, you’ll play a pivotal leadership role in in accelerating Edelman Financial Engines’ AI Transformation. This role serves as a central liaison between the AI Center of Excellence (COE), business stakeholders, technology teams, and enterprise governance functions including Legal, Compliance, Information Security, Risk, Privacy and Procurement ensuring consistency in delivery of AI Tools and Education across all platforms. This role is responsible for identifying opportunities, developing business cases, aligning stakeholders, and orchestrating cross‑functional execution from concept through implementation for all of our AI‑powered capabilities. You will help translate vision into action by driving partnerships, managing key strategic initiatives, and ensuring teams are equipped with the tools, education, and frameworks needed to embrace an AI‑first future.

We are seeking a highly collaborative and influential leader with a proven track record of building strong relationships across complex organizations and external partnerships. The ideal candidate excels at navigating ambiguity, balancing strategic thinking with operational execution, and bringing diverse stakeholders together around a shared vision.

If you are energized by the opportunity to shape the future of AI, thrive in fast‑paced and evolving environments, and have a passion for driving organizational change through partnership, execution, and innovation, we invite you to join us in helping define the next chapter of AI at Edelman Financial Engines.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Partnerships & Stakeholder Management
  • Serve as a primary liaison between the AI Center of Excellence and key enterprise partners, including Legal, Compliance, Information Security, Risk Management, Privacy, Procurement, Technology, Operations, and business leadership.
  • Build and maintain strong cross‑functional relationships to support the successful delivery of AI and technology initiatives.
• External Partnerships & Vendor Management
  • Manage relationships with strategic technology and AI partners to ensure alignment with organizational priorities and business objectives.
  • Coordinate vendor onboarding, evaluation, and engagement activities in partnership with Procurement, Legal, Compliance, and Technology teams.
  • Establish performance expectations and monitor progress against commitments, deliverables, and service levels.
• Execution & Delivery Management
  • Develop and enhance processes that improve coordination, governance, and execution across the AI COE ecosystem.
  • Establish metrics and reporting to measure partnership effectiveness, initiative progress, and business outcomes.
  • Identify opportunities to streamline stakeholder engagement, approval processes, and operational workflows.
  • Coordinate cross‑functional workstreams to ensure successful implementation and business readiness.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 10+ years of experience spanning product, technology, or data
• Proven track record of leading large‑scale, cross‑functional transformations with measurable business impact.
• Experience deploying AI/ML solutions in regulated environments (financial services strongly preferred).
• Strong understanding of AI/ML ecosystems, LLMs, data platforms, and orchestration layers.
• Track record of balancing innovation, risk, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience working with cross functional teams
• Ability to operate across product, engineering, data, and business domains.
• Deep systems thinking and ability to manage complex, interdependent ecosystems.
• Ability to drive alignment, accountability, and adoption across teams
• Experience with vendor management and vendor lifecycle

Edelman Financial Engines takes a market‑based approach to pay. The expected base salary range for this role nationally is below. However, final base pay will be carefully determined based on several factors, including responsibilities, job‑related skills, relevant experience, geographic location, and market conditions. Additionally, this role may be eligible for other forms of compensation and benefits, such as a discretionary bonus, health, dental and other wellness plans, and 401(k) contributions.

Pay Range: $151,100 USD - $201,500 USD

About Edelman Financial Engines

Since 1986, Edelman Financial Engines has been committed to always acting in the best interests of our clients. We were founded on the belief that all investors – not just the wealthy – deserve access to personal, comprehensive financial planning and investment advice. Recognized by Barron's as a top RIA firm for eight years in a row (awarded each September (2018-2025) based on prior 12‑month data through June 30)1, we support more than 1.27 million clients across 140+ offices nationwide and manage over $324 billion in assets 2. Our unique approach to serving clients combines our advanced methodology and proprietary technology with the attention of a dedicated personal financial planner. Every client’s situation and goals are unique, and the powerful fusion of high‑tech and high touch allows Edelman Financial Engines to deliver the personal plan and financial confidence that everyone deserves.

For more information, please visit EdelmanFinancialEngines.com.

© 2026 Edelman Financial Engines, LLC. Edelman Financial Engines® is a registered trademark of Edelman Financial Engines, LLC. All advisory services provided by Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C., a federally registered investment advisor. Certain services provided on an educational and guidance basis only. Results are not guaranteed.

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Edelman Financial Engines encourages success based on our individual merits and abilities without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy; marital, domestic partner or civil union status; national origin, citizenship, ancestry, ethnic heritage, genetic information, age, legally recognized disability, military service or veteran status.

Accommodations are modifications or adjustments to the hiring process that would enable you to fully participate in that process. If you need assistance to accommodate a disability, you may request one at any time by either contacting your recruiter or [e-mail].

1 The Barron’s Top 100 RIA Firms list, an annual ranking of independent advisory firms, is based on qualitative and quantitative criteria. Firms elect to participate but do not pay to be included in the ranking. The 2018 ranking refers to Edelman Financial Services, LLC, which combined its advisory business in its entirety with Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. (FEA) in November 2018. For the same survey, FEA received a precombination ranking of 12th.

2 Edelman Financial Engines data, as of September 30, 2025