AI Director (Strategy & Transformation Consultant)

Our Purpose Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential. Title and Summary AI Director (Strategy & Transformation Consultant) AI Director (Senior Managing Consultant, Advisors & Consulting Services - Strategy & Transformation) Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential. Position Overview Reporting to the Principal and working closely with the Mastercard AI team, the Senior Managing Consultant/Director, AI Strategy will spearhead AI-driven consulting engagements for clients - especially card issuers and other financial services organizations. You will lead multidisciplinary teams of data scientists, ML engineers, and business strategists to develop long term strategies to build AI solutions and implement AI solutions that transform how clients approach analytics, automation, and value generation. In this role, you will: 1. Shape and deliver AI strategies that address complex business challenges for payments-centric companies. 2. Advance the firm’s AI capabilities through consistent thought leadership, external outreach, and the development of new service offerings. 3. Mentor and grow junior colleagues, fostering a collaborative team culture around innovative AI methodologies. Key Responsibilities 1. Develop AI-Driven Strategies for Business Impact • Identify high-impact opportunities for AI and analytics within client organizations, particularly in card issuing and payments. • Quantify the full value potential of AI solutions, detailing the value levers, critical dependencies, and feasibility pathways to maximize ROI. • Architect end-to-end AI solutions by combining expertise in data engineering, solution design, and domain-specific knowledge (e.g., credit card issuing). • Secure Alignment from executive stakeholders, translating ambitious AI visions into actionable plans with clear timelines, deliverables, and success metrics. • Scale effective AI initiatives across multiple use cases, proactively addressing technical or organizational hurdles to ensure widespread adoption. 2. Lead Rapid, Iterative AI Delivery • Partner with AI and ML engineering leaders to oversee project roadmaps, ensuring iterative versioning, pilot rollouts, and timely stakeholder updates. • Collaborate closely with business leaders to co-own solutions, gather continuous feedback, and adjust scopes for maximum business value. • Drive a balanced approach to problem-solving, focusing on both technical feasibility and strategic payoff—avoiding unnecessary complexity. • Augment client teams by providing change management and AI expertise, ensuring full realization of value and adoption of best practices. 3. Expand Thought Leadership & External Network • Publish and present on cutting-edge AI methods and industry insights—e.g., through whitepapers, case studies, conference keynotes, and journal articles. • Build an external network of AI experts, industry leaders, and academic partners to keep the firm at the forefront of emerging AI trends. • Advise on best practices around AI ethics, governance, and regulatory considerations in financial services. • Elevate the firm’s reput ... (truncated, view full listing at source)