Head of AI Transformation

At Stout, we’re dedicated to exceeding expectations in all we do – we call it Relentless Excellence ®. Both our client service and culture are second to none, stemming from our firmwide embrace of our core values: Positive and Team-Oriented, Accountable, Committed, Relationship-Focused, Super-Responsive, and being Great communicators. Sound like a place you can grow and succeed? Read on to learn more about an exciting opportunity to join our team.

Impact You’ll Make

As Head of AI Transformation, you will lead the change engine of the Applied Innovation Group (AIG), a new internal team within Stout Strategy. This is one of the most strategically significant roles within AIG, connecting the group's technical capability to both the practice and the market. You will own a mandate that spans delivery model redesign, internal change management, consultant AI upskilling, and the commercial model for forward-deployed engineering on client engagements. The role requires a rare combination of strategic vision, organizational influence, and hands-on execution and will directly shape how Stout Strategy operates and competes in an AI-enabled professional services landscape.

What You’ll Do

• Delivery Model Redesign: Own the ongoing redesign of how Stout Strategy structures and staffs consulting engagements in an AI-enabled environment. Define the future consulting team including what profiles we hire for, how technical capability gets embedded into delivery, and how team structures evolve as AI changes the economics of our work. Partner directly with senior leadership to develop, test, and roll out new delivery models, and produce a living framework that evolves as capability and client expectations shift.

• Change Management and Internal Adoption: Own the change management agenda for the practice, ensuring tools, skills, and processes built by AIG are adopted and used effectively by consulting teams. Surface adoption barriers and consultant feedback back to the team and develop and execute programs when delivery models evolve including new staffing structures, new tool mandates, new engagement standards.

• Consultant Training and AI Upskilling: Design and own the firm's AI training and upskilling program for consultants, from foundational AI literacy to advanced use of Claude, Claude Code, and AIG's proprietary tools. Coordinate with teams on data literacy content and tool-specific training. Integrate AI capability development into performance management cycles and track capability levels across the practice.

• Scoping and Billing: Own the commercial model for forward deployed engineering on client engagements including how AI Innovation engineering capacity is scoped, priced, and integrated into case budgets. Standardize engineering deployment into engagement structures from the outset; serve as the intake and scoping function for client-facing build requests, working with delivery teams to define requirements and engage AI Innovation for execution.

• AI Governance Support: Partner with leadership on change management, communication, and adoption tracking for governance decisions. Own practice-wide rollout when standards change, new tools are approved, or policies are updated. Maintain governance documentation and report back to the committee on adoption and compliance.

• Cross-Practice Liaison: Serve as the primary liaison for cross-Stout working sessions, sharing AI adoption lessons learned and identifying opportunities where AIG's tool and vendor investments could benefit multiple Stout practices.

What You'll Bring

• Six or more years of experience in management consulting, professional services, or organizational transformation, with meaningful exposure to the commercial logic of how consulting firms operate and grow.

• Demonstrated experience leading change management efforts in complex, matrixed organizations, particularly in environments undergoing significant operational or technology-driven transformation.

• Comfort with AI tools and emerging technology, including practical fluency with LLMs and an understanding of how they are reshaping professional services delivery models.

• Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to develop and manage scoping, billing, and engagement frameworks for client-facing technical work.

• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with a track record of influencing senior leaders, MDs, and client relationships simultaneously.

• Experience designing and delivering learning and development programs, particularly for professional or technical audiences.

• Ability to operate as a strategic thought partner to senior leadership while maintaining hands-on ownership of execution.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience developing frameworks, policies, and internal communications at the firm level.

• Self-starter with a bias toward action, high tolerance for ambiguity, and the ability to build from scratch in a fast-moving environment.

How You’ll Thrive

• Shape how a high-performing consulting practice evolves its delivery model in one of the most consequential moments in the history of professional services.

• Own a mandate with real breadth spanning strategy, operations, people development, and client impact with direct visibility to and partnership with the firm's most senior leaders.

• Build something new. This group is early-stage, and the Head of AI Transformation will have significant latitude to define the function, hire the team, and establish the operating model.

• Sit at the intersection of AIG's technical capability and the commercial practice, driving the translation from what is built to what is actually used - and the business value that creates.

• Grow into a senior leadership role within a rapidly scaling AI-native practice at a firm with the scale and client relationships of Stout Strategy.

Why Stout?
At Stout, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards program with competitive compensation, benefits, and wellness options tailored to support employees at every stage of life.

We foster a culture of inclusion and respect, embracing diverse perspectives and experiences to drive innovation and success. Our leadership is committed to inclusion and belonging across the organization and in the communities we serve.

We invest in professional growth through ongoing training, mentorship, employee resource groups, and clear performance feedback, ensuring our employees are supported in achieving their career goals.

Stout provides flexible work schedules and a discretionary time off policy to promote work-life balance and help employees lead fulfilling lives.

Learn more about our benefits and commitment to your success.

https://www.stout.com/en/careers/benefits

The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job.

Stout is an Equal Employment Opportunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of valid job requirements, qualifications and merit without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law. 

Stout is required by applicable state and local laws to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. The range for this role considers several factors including but not limited to prior work and industry experience, education level, and unique skills. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for any applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.