AI Leader Hands-on Smart Program Lead

AI Leader Hands-on Smart Program Lead
Location: Atlanta, GA (hybrid)
Duration: 12+ months

Client is seeking a highly experienced and strategic AI Leader Hands-on Smart Program Lead with 10+ years of industry experience to drive enterprise-wide AI transformation initiatives. The ideal candidate will combine strong leadership qualities with deep technical expertise in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Engineering, and Program Delivery.
This role requires a leader who can define AI strategy, lead cross-functional teams, engage with executive stakeholders, and remain hands-on in designing and implementing intelligent solutions that create measurable business value.

Key Responsibilities

AI Strategy & Leadership

• Define and drive enterprise AI/ML strategy aligned with business goals and digital transformation initiatives.
• Lead large-scale AI programs across business units including automation, predictive analytics, GenAI, NLP, Computer Vision, and intelligent decision systems.
• Build AI roadmaps, innovation frameworks, and execution plans for enterprise adoption.
• Act as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on AI opportunities, risks, and investments.

Hands-on Program Management

• Own end-to-end delivery of AI programs from ideation through deployment and optimization.
• Lead architecture discussions and participate in hands-on design, model development, and solution reviews.
• Ensure successful execution of multiple concurrent AI initiatives with strong governance and delivery excellence.
• Manage timelines, budgets, risks, dependencies, and stakeholder expectations.

Technical Leadership

• Provide technical direction on AI/ML model development, MLOps, LLM integrations, cloud AI platforms, and data engineering pipelines.
• Review solution architecture involving Python, SQL, Snowflake, Databricks, Azure/AWS/GCP AI services.
• Guide teams on model selection, feature engineering, experimentation, deployment, and performance monitoring.
• Drive best practices for Responsible AI, model governance, security, and compliance.

Team Building & Mentorship

• Lead and mentor Data Scientists, ML Engineers, Data Engineers, and AI Solution Architects.
• Build high-performing AI delivery teams with strong ownership and innovation mindset.
• Conduct technical reviews, leadership coaching, and performance development.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Stakeholder & Client Engagement

• Partner with business leaders, clients, and product owners to translate business problems into AI solutions.
• Present AI strategy, architecture, delivery status, and ROI to senior leadership and clients.
• Support pre-sales, solution consulting, proposal development, and strategic client discussions.

Required Skills

Technical Skills

• Strong expertise in AI/ML, Deep Learning, NLP, GenAI, LLMs, Predictive Analytics, and Data Science workflows
• Hands-on experience with Python, SQL, Spark, Snowflake, Databricks
• Experience with cloud platforms: Azure AI, AWS AI/ML, or Google Cloud AI
• Knowledge of MLOps, model deployment, CI/CD pipelines, ML lifecycle management
• Experience with tools like TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn, OpenAI, LangChain, Vector DBs

Leadership Skills

• Exceptional program leadership and executive stakeholder management
• Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and strategic planning abilities
• Proven experience leading enterprise-scale transformation programs
• Excellent communication, presentation, and team management skills

Qualifications

• Bachelor s or Master s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or related field
• 10+ years of experience in technology leadership with strong exposure to AI/ML programs
• Proven experience leading enterprise AI transformation initiatives
• Experience managing large distributed teams and global delivery models

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in GenAI, LLM-based enterprise applications, and AI product strategy
• Exposure to consulting, enterprise architecture, and client-facing leadership roles
• Certifications in Cloud AI/ML platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP)
• Experience across industries such as Healthcare, Finance, Retail, Manufacturing, or Energy

Leadership Qualities Expected

• Visionary and strategic thinker
• Strong ownership and accountability
• Excellent people leadership and mentoring ability
• High emotional intelligence and executive presence
• Results-driven with innovation mindset
• Strong collaboration and influence across organizations