Lead / Principal AI Strategy Consultant

Centrax Group; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Centrax Digital, an AI-first consulting and digital engineering firm in Sandton, seeks a Lead Principal AI Strategy Consultant. You will shape AI strategy and governance for client engagements, baselining capabilities and data readiness while guiding executive-level decisions and roadmap development.

You will collaborate with AI engineers and solutions architects, lead pre-sales, and drive transformation throughCentrax methodology across client ecosystems, including cross-border projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field; MBA/MSc advantageous.
• 10+ years in management consulting, technology strategy or digital transformation; 3+ years in data or AI.
• Led at least two AI/analytics strategy engagements end-to-end with funded roadmaps or measurable outcomes.
• Experience advising executive committees or boards on investments.
• Experience designing governance for AI/technology in regulated SA sectors.

Responsibilities

• Lead AI strategy and governance engagements with client executives using CAIF-5 toolkit.
• Identify and size AI use cases with value, feasibility, risk and data readiness.
• Build business cases and investment roadmaps with explicit assumptions and benefits.
• Design AI governance: policies, risk registers, model inventories, oversight structures.
• Lead or advise on transition engagements and change plans for AI adoption.

Skills

AI strategy

Management consulting

Data governance

Executive engagement

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/ Economics/ Engineering/ CS

MBA or MSc advantageous

Tools

CAIF-5 toolkit

Job description

ABOUT CENTRAX DIGITAL

Centrax Digital is an AI-first consulting and digital engineering firm operating from Bryanston, Sandton and Grand Prairie, Texas. We are a Level 1 B-BBEE, black woman-owned Advanced Zoho Partner. Our work spans AI and advisory, platforms, cloud and security, and digital engineering, delivered on our own published methodology. Because Innovation Matters.

THE ROLE

To lead the strategy and governance side of Centrax Digital AI engagements on CAIF-5, the Centrax AI delivery framework.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Lead AI strategy and readiness engagements with client executives, using the CAIF-5 assessment toolkit to baseline data, capability, process and governance maturity.
• Identify, size and prioritise AI use cases against value, feasibility, risk and data readiness, and recommend against AI where a simpler option serves the client better.
• Build business cases and investment roadmaps with explicit assumptions, benefit measures and a baseline.
• Design AI governance for client organisations: policies, decision rights, risk registers, model inventories and oversight structures, aligned to POPIA, sector regulation and King IV.
• Lead or advise on Centrax Transition engagements, including tranche planning and the capability-transfer measures the fee-at-risk depends on.
• Define the operating model and change plan for AI adoption, working with the Change Lead.
• Work with AI Solutions Architects and AI Engineers so that the strategy hands over cleanly to delivery.
• Lead pre-sales on strategy engagements using the published Centrax methodology and pricing, and coach consultants on the engagement.

WHAT YOU NEED

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems or a related field. An MBA, MSc or equivalent postgraduate qualification is an advantage.
• Minimum 10 years' experience in management consulting, technology strategy or digital transformation, including at least 3 years in data or AI.
• At least two AI or advanced analytics strategy engagements led end to end, resulting in a funded roadmap or measurable outcome.
• Experience advising executive committees or boards on investment decisions.
• Experience designing technology or AI governance in a regulated South African sector such as financial services, public sector, healthcare or telecommunications.
• Formal study in AI strategy or AI governance, or a governance, risk or privacy certification (for example ISO/IEC 42001 Lead Implementer, CGEIT, CRISC or CIPP/E), is an advantage.

WHERE THE BOUNDARIES SIT

Solution design sits with the AI Solutions Architect and build with the AI Engineers. Delivery governance sits with the Project Manager and delivery leadership.

HOW THIS ROLE EVOLVES

Centrax is concurrently advertising an AI Solutions Architect and an AI Engineer. The role is open at Lead or Principal level depending on experience. Progression runs to Principal AI Strategy Consultant, with a path to AI Practice Lead.

WORKING ARRANGEMENTS

Standard working hours of 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday, with flexibility expected around client executive schedules and steering committee cycles.

Hybrid working in line with company policy.

Regular time on client sites is expected, including occasional travel within South Africa and to the Texas office where engagements require it.

Standard 21 days annual leave and BCEA leave entitlements apply.

REMUNERATION

Market related, commensurate with experience.

EMPLOYMENT EQUITY AND POPIA

Centrax Digital is an equal opportunity employer. Appointments are made in line with the Employment Equity Act and the company's employment equity plan, and preference may be given to suitably qualified candidates from designated groups.

By applying, you consent to the processing of your personal information for recruitment purposes in accordance with POPIA.