Fractional Chief AI Officer
United States · Remote · Fractional
Heads up: this posting is for future opportunities rather than one specific open role. If you apply, we'll add you to our candidate network and may reach out when relevant roles come up.
Axial Search is a specialist executive search firm built for one kind of hire: leaders who help organizations navigate AI transformation. Apply today to express your interest in roles like this one.
Visit our website to learn more about our process and explore free tools for 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
We've tracked 100+ executive-level AI strategy postings in the United States over the last six months, with hiring concentrated in technology, financial services, and professional services hubs across California, New York, and Texas. Organizations are increasingly staffing fractional Chief AI Officer roles to accelerate strategy without full-time overhead—these positions typically run $250–$350 per hour depending on scope and industry complexity. The strongest candidates in this space bring a mix of hands-on AI/ML execution experience, proven ability to translate technical capability into business value, and deep familiarity with how AI transformation affects organizational structure, talent, and go-to-market strategy.
Job responsibilities
Develop and articulate a multi-year AI transformation strategy aligned with business objectives, including capability gaps, build-vs.-buy decisions, and talent requirements
Lead cross-functional stakeholder alignment on AI initiatives—partnering with product, engineering, finance, and risk/compliance to embed AI into core workflows
Advise on technology stack choices, vendor evaluation, and infrastructure investments; validate that proposed solutions match organizational maturity and risk tolerance
Build and mentor the internal AI/ML leadership team; define hiring profiles, career paths, and knowledge-sharing practices
Own the business case and ROI modeling for major AI initiatives; track adoption metrics and iterate on strategy based on outcomes
Navigate regulatory, ethical, and governance considerations—ensuring responsible AI practices and board-level transparency on risks and opportunities
Serve as external advisor on emerging AI trends, competitive positioning, and talent market dynamics
Candidate requirements
10+ years in AI/ML, data science, or related technical leadership roles; direct experience shipping AI products or embedding AI into enterprise systems
Track record of building and scaling technical teams; experience defining hiring, onboarding, and development practices
Proven ability to translate between technical depth and business/executive language; comfort presenting to boards and C-suite stakeholders
Experience owning P&L impact of AI initiatives; familiarity with cost modeling, vendor negotiation, and capital allocation
Demonstrated familiarity with governance, risk, and compliance considerations in AI (bias, transparency, regulatory landscape)
Comfort in a fractional, advisory capacity; ability to drive progress with limited direct authority and remote-first collaboration