AI Transformation Lead

Title: AI Transformation Lead
Location: Remote / Travel to portfolio companies as required
Reports to: Head of AI Services (or Partner)
Engagement: 90-day engagements with PE portfolio companies (via "Amadeus")

You will be the strategic and executive lead for our AI Transformation engagements with portfolio companies backed by private equity. You’ll guide the assessment of business operations, identify high-impact AI/automation opportunities, define a transformation roadmap tied to EBITDA improvement, and oversee the placement and onboarding of the talent who will deliver. You’re the bridge between strategy and action — you know how to both think big and get things across the finish line.

• Lead discovery workshops across the organization (operations, finance, product, data) to map current state and surface AI/automation opportunities.

• Develop a comprehensive AI transformation roadmap: including opportunity sizing, cost/benefit modeling, milestones (90-day, 12-month), risk & dependencies.

• Partner with recruiting/HR leads to define the talent profile required: AI/ML engineers, data scientists, product leads, change management leads.

• Oversee or directly manage the hiring process: sourcing, interviewing, onboarding of transformation talent (via Amadeus payroll or client transition).

• Serve as the primary client-facing advisor: present findings, lead executive alignment, communicate ROI metrics and transformation status.

• Track performance of transformation initiatives post-deployment: monitor metrics, course-correct, ensure sustainable hand-off to client team.

• Build repeatable frameworks, playbooks, and best practices for future AI transformations across the portfolio.

• 8+ years in roles combining AI/ML/data science, product or operations (ideally in a tech-enabled business).

• Demonstrated track record of leading AI/automation projects that delivered measurable business impact (e.g., cost reduction, revenue growth, process efficiency).

• Strong business acumen: comfortable with financial modeling, EBITDA impact, operational workflows, C-suite engagement.

• Proven competency in talent assessment/hiring for technical roles (AI/ML engineers, data scientists) or leading teams built from scratch.

• Exceptional communication and presentation skills; ability to translate complex technical ideas into business outcomes at an executive level.

• Ability to work in ambiguous, fast-moving environments; travel to portfolio company offices when required.

• MBA or advanced degree in data science, engineering, business desirable but not required.

• Within 30 days: you’ve completed the discovery and identified the top 2-3 AI/automation opportunities with projected business impact.

• Within 90 days: a transformation roadmap is approved, and key talent is onboarded (either via Amadeus payroll or client perm hire).

• Within 12 months: the initiative shows measurable improvement in KPIs (cost savings, margin expansion, process cycle time reduction), and the portfolio company is capable of scaling the transformation.

• You’ve developed a reusable playbook that the Amadeus team can deploy across multiple companies, driving efficiency and leverage across the portfolio.

• Be at the forefront of AI-driven business transformation in a high-velocity private equity context.

• Work with senior leadership teams, drive tangible impact, and define the future of operations-enabled value creation.

• Access to top talent networks, cutting-edge tools, and an execution-oriented environment.

• Competitive compensation, including bonus tied to transformation outcomes, plus upside in building a repeatable transformational service line.