AI Transformation Strategy Lead

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 177,000 - 286,000; Full time

Job summary

Palo Alto Networks is scaling its strategy and transformation organization and looking for its next senior leader to drive AI transformation. Your work as a Strategy Lead will directly and visibly shape how our Finance organization uses AI to address transformation initiatives and strategic priorities.

You will partner with senior Finance leaders, prototype AI solutions, and drive end-to-end execution across IT and Finance to deliver measurable business value for a global cybersecurity leader.

Qualifications

• 8+ years relevant work experience with at least 3 years in top-tier strategy consulting (McKinsey, BCG or Bain).
• MBA graduate from a top-tier business school or similar credentials, “direct promote” in consulting or equivalent military experience.
• Strong generalist problem-solver with a track record of structuring ambiguous problems and delivering results across a wide range of topics.
• Proven ability to perform in high-pressure, fast-paced environments, owning workstreams against tight timelines with minimal supervision.
• Hands-on experience using generative AI tools to build prototypes or automate workflows, and a practical understanding of what the technology can and cannot do.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including executive-ready presentations, and comfort with both business and technical discussions with senior audiences.
• Experience building relationships and leading through influence across business and technical teams.
• Experience managing projects and large-scale transformations from strategy through implementation.
• Self-starter and great teammate, willing to go beyond “paper strategy” and roll up their sleeves to own and deliver outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Define AI transformation strategy and roadmaps, identify where AI can fundamentally change how work gets done, size the value and prioritize initiatives with Finance and IT leaders
• Develop and present high-quality recommendations and deliverables for executive-level consumption to align Finance leadership on strategy, priorities and key decisions
• Prototype AI solutions hands-on to rapidly test and validate ideas before committing to a full build
• Partner with IT to take proven prototypes into production, define requirements, manage trade-offs and ensure solutions deliver the intended business value
• Work with Finance teams to redesign existing workflows and processes as AI-native and drive adoption, rethinking roles, handoffs and controls rather than automating current steps
• Own execution of the transformation portfolio end to end, managing plans, milestones, dependencies and risks to keep multiple workstreams across Finance and IT on track
• Structure and break down complex, ambiguous business problems, develop a hypothesis, drive analysis and deliver recommendations
• Drive change across the organization and be willing to wear multiple hats (strategy development, prototyping, project management and execution) to do what it takes to “move the needle”

Skills

Strategy consulting

Executive communication

Problem solving

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

AI prototyping

Project management

Influence

Self-starter

Education

MBA from top-tier business school

Tools

Generative AI tools

Job description

Palo Alto Networks is scaling its strategy and transformation organization and looking for its next senior leader to drive AI transformation. Your work as a Strategy Lead will directly and visibly shape how our Finance organization uses AI to address transformation initiatives and strategic priorities.

You will partner with senior Finance leaders, prototype AI solutions, and drive end-to-end execution across IT and Finance to deliver measurable business value for a global cybersecurity leader.