Digital Advisory Lead

HNTB; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 280,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

HNTB seeks an experienced leader to head our Digital and AI Advisory practice in the United States. The role requires translating digital ambition into actionable, right-sized AI strategies while delivering measurable impact across complex, margin-sensitive industries.

You will guide engagements, mentor junior staff, and interface with boards and senior executives to shape strategic roadmaps and expand advisory offerings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field and 12 years of relevant experience.
• Master's degree in relevant field and 10 years of relevant experience.
• PhD/JD in relevant field and 8 years of relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Applies technical expertise to project structuring and procurement documents with a focus on innovative delivery.
• Provides strategic advice, prepares reports and presentations to leadership and senior client personnel.
• Manages tasks or major workstreams independently, ensuring 4for4 delivery and client relationship management.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic thinking

Industry credibility

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD/JD

Job description

What We're Looking For

We are seeking an leader for our emerging Digital and AI Advisory practice who can expand our advisory efforts by bringing expertise, credibility, and strategic counsel to our engagement with top clients. This person will have the expertise and experience to provide a credible, complete perspective on the application of AI within our clients’ programs and organizations. Their background should reflect real-world application of AI and analytics in complex, margin-sensitive industries, with a pragmatic mindset that prioritizes measurable impact over hype. They will distinguish themselves by knowing when, how, and where to deploy AI solutions, and when conventional digital tools provide a higher-ROI solution. Ultimately, this person will help clients translate digital ambition into an actionable approach built of right-sized strategies.

What You'll Do

• Applies technical expertise and guidance to project structuring, delivery options analysis and commercial and technical provisions of procurement documents, with a focus on innovative delivery. Advises on technical elements on complex projects across all phases of the project life cycle.
• Acts as subject matter expert to provide strategic advice and analysis, and engage in marketing and business development, as well as preparing reports and presentations to HNTB leadership and senior client personnel.
• Manages tasks or major workstreams independently, and interfaces with senior Advisory and client leadership to ensure 4for4 delivery while managing client relationships and day to day interactions with appropriate counterparts. Responsible for successful contracting and project execution, working closely with regional HNTB staff and office leadership.
• Prepares technical materials for client engagements, including strategic analyses, commercial documentation, technical provisions, procurement documents, and other materials pertaining to applicable subject matter focus.
• Trains and instructs line personnel on innovative delivery and other Advisory disciplines. Advises on business planning and supports marketing efforts of the line organization.
• Works with the line organization in a lead support role on strategically important client and project pursuits, providing strategic input and market knowledge to expand service offerings and enhance win probabilities.
• Contributes to strategic planning for Advisory and assists with thought leadership initiatives.
• Mentors and oversees the work of junior Advisory staff through performance management and encouragement of professional development opportunities.
• Represents Advisory and the firm at industry events and organizations, and drives thought leadership and external positioning efforts.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

What You'll Need

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field and 12 years of relevant experience.
• Master's degree in relevant field and 10 years of relevant experience.
• PhD/JD in relevant field and 8 years of relevant experience.

What We Prefer

• Enterprise Owner / Executive Owner’s Representative mindset, with a proven record of owning outcomes, shaping decisions, and driving value realization.
• Senior leadership experience guiding major transformations, technology modernization, digital programs, or enterprise‑level change.
• Ability to set direction and lead senior executives and peers in complex, high‑stakes environments; comfortable advising at board and C‑suite levels.
• Broad understanding of the infrastructure sector and digital ecosystem, including major players, vendors, consultants, software platforms, and emerging competitors.
• Familiarity with mobility analytics, transportation data platforms, and AI/ML applications—especially their influence on planning, policy, readiness, and decision‑making.
• Demonstrated success operating in ambiguous or rapidly evolving environments, able to create clarity, sequence investments, and shape actionable roadmaps.
• Strong commercial acumen, with deep understanding of financial, contractual, operational, and enterprise value drivers in digital and infrastructure programs.
• Extensive, credible professional network across infrastructure, digital infrastructure, transportation technology, and adjacent industries.
• Exceptional communication and executive‑storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex digital concepts into clear, high‑impact narratives.
• Executive presence and maturity, able to independently interface with boards, agency leadership, and senior decision‑makers.
• Strategic thinker who understands the enterprise and market landscape, identifies growth opportunities, and helps shape differentiated service offerings.
• Strong understanding of consulting and advisory business dynamics, including how to drive margin, differentiate against competitors, and scale repeatable digital offerings.

Additional Information

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

#NF #Advisory

Locations:
Arlington, VA (Alexandria), Atlanta, GA, Austin, TX, Boston, MA

The approximate pay range for Massachusetts is $286,607.22 - $457,827.12. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position based on all selected locations within the state at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be dependent on factors, including but not limited to, the individual’s qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as physical work location within the state.

The approximate pay range for Virginia is $274,665.25 - $438,750.99. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position based on all selected locations within the state at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be dependent on factors, including but not limited to, the individual’s qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as physical work location within the state.

Notice To Third-party Agencies

HNTB does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or agencies. Any staffing/employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume to this site does so with the understanding that the applicant's resume will become the property of HNTB. HNTB will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion and without any fee owed to the submitting staffing/employment agency, person or entity. Staffing/employment agencies who have fee agreements with HNTB must submit applicants to the designated HNTB recruiter to be eligible for placement fees.

Job Type: Regular

Full/Part Time: Full time

Job Category: Advisory Group

ReqID: R-30975

Equal Employment Opportunity & Disability Accessibility Statement

HNTB provides a fair and equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship status, or other status protected by law. The HNTB Companies ensure nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Any applicant with limited English proficiency or a qualifying physical or mental disability who believes they require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact us at [e-mail] or call 816-527-2600 for assistance. HNTB will make determinations on requests for accommodations on a case‑by‑case basis.

Hearing and speech impaired individuals who seek assistance or accommodation in applying for a position via TTY, may dial 711 in the United States. Instruct the TTY operator to call 888-400-4682 and select option 5 for TTY service. Please indicate to the HNTB agent that you are a candidate seeking assistance in the job application process.

Please note that The HNTB Companies will not accept any resume submitted via this email address. To properly submit your application to the HNTB Companies, and to ensure that our recruiters have immediate access to your resume/CV, please search our open positions online, and apply directly through our careers website.

Thank you for considering HNTB for your career opportunities.

Affirmative Action Policy Statement

HNTB has implemented the following policy as part of its longstanding commitment to compliance with all applicable affirmative action requirements. HNTB agrees to post in conspicuous places, available to employees and applicants for employment, this affirmative action policy.

HNTB is a federal contractor subject to Section 4212 of the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended ("Section 4212") and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended ("Section 503"). Accordingly, it is HNTB’s policy to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment protected veterans (disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, Armed Forces Service Medal veterans, or active‑duty wartime or campaign badge veterans) and individuals with disabilities at all levels of employment, including the executive level. HNTB also will provide reasonable accommodation to known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified employee or applicant for employment with a disability, unless the accommodation would impose undue hardship on the operation of HNTB. In order to request a reasonable accommodation, employees should contact the HR Solutions Center at General Policy Inquiry - Employee Center and applicants should contact [e-mail].

HNTB will recruit, hire, train, and promote individuals in all job titles, and will ensure that all other personnel actions are administered, without regard to an individual’s protected veteran or disability status. All employment decisions will be based only on valid job requirements. In addition, employees and applicants shall not be subjected to harassment, intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination because they have engaged in or may engage in any of the following activities: (1) filing a complaint; (2) assisting or participating in an investigation, compliance evaluation, hearing, or any other activity related to the administration of any Federal, State, or local law requiring equal opportunity for protected veterans or individuals with disabilities; (3) opposing any act or practice made unlawful by Section 4212, Section 503, their implementing regulations, or any other Federal, State, or local law requiring equal opportunity for protected veterans or individuals with disabilities; or (4) exercising any other right protected by Section 4212, Section 503, or their implementing regulations.

The non-confidential portions of the affirmative action program for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities shall be available for inspection upon request by any employee or applicant for employment. These plans are available for review upon request during normal business hours. Any questions or requests to review should be directed to your Human Resources Partner.

As Chief Executive Officer, I fully support our affirmative action program and am committed to the implementation of the company’s affirmative action policy. I have delegated overall responsibility for this policy to the Business Integrity Director. The Manager of HR Compliance & Immigration is responsible for the implementation, auditing, and reporting of this policy and program, assisted by the office’s Human Resources Partner.

HNTB employees must comply with this policy and report any violations of illegal discrimination, as specified in the Integrity Reporting policy.

For Questions or Additional Information

For more information on this policy, please contact the HR Solutions Center, General Policy Inquiry - Employee Center, 888-400-4682.

Robert J. Slimp, CEO