Axial Search recruits for AI transformation roles across North America, building long-term relationships with leaders across every industry vertical. Apply today to express your interest in this position and others like it. Visit our website to learn more about our process and to find free tools to support your job search — including our live job market dashboard with salary, skills, and hiring-trend data from thousands of AI transformation roles.

What the market looks like

AI strategy remains one of the clearest growth lanes in senior hiring — over 6,000 US roles tracked in the past year, split between in-house strategy functions at enterprises and embedded consultants at professional-services firms. Mid-senior compensation generally lands in a $140K–$250K band, with directors clearing $280K and executive-level strategy hires regularly breaking $300K. The strongest AI strategists we place combine technical fluency, commercial judgment, and the credibility to operate directly with the C-suite.

Job responsibilities

Partner with senior business leaders to identify, prioritize, and shape high-impact AI opportunities
Translate organizational strategy into concrete AI use cases, roadmaps, and investment plans
Lead AI maturity assessments, value-case development, and executive workshops
Work across functions — data, product, engineering, finance — to stress-test ideas before major commitment
Shape the long-term AI operating model, including governance, talent, and delivery structure
Bring external benchmarks, patterns, and honest perspective to internal decisions
Challenge bad ideas early — and build consensus around the right ones
Operate as a trusted advisor to the CEO, CIO, and business-line leadership

Candidate requirements

6+ years in strategy, management consulting, or in-house AI program leadership
Demonstrated ability to connect AI capability to business outcomes, not just pilots
Fluency in modern AI concepts — generative AI, agents, MLOps — without needing to be an engineer
Strong financial modeling, use-case prioritization, and executive storytelling skills
Track record of influencing C-level stakeholders on transformation decisions
MBA or equivalent experience preferred but not required

AI Strategist