Director- Applied AI & Machine Learning (SME)

Responsibilities

• Set direction as a technical evangelist and trusted advisor for clients, shaping early-stage AI and ML conversations into compelling solution visions built on the Microsoft platform.
• Partner closely with sales and account teams to drive opportunity qualification, solution strategy, and deal closure for AI and ML engagements.
• Take ownership of technical discoveries with clients to understand business priorities, decision criteria, and value drivers, translating them into winning Data & AI architectures.
• Be accountable for the design and present AI and ML solutions that clearly articulate business outcomes, technical feasibility, and ROI.
• Provide executive-level technical depth in Azure with depth in agentic architectures, machine learning, or AI to influence client stakeholders from practitioner to C-level.
• Own end-to-end technical credibility throughout the sales cycle, including whiteboarding sessions, architecture reviews, proposals, and executive presentations.
• Guide and mentor architects and data scientists to ensure solution consistency, technical excellence, and alignment with go-to-market strategy.
• Identify and be accountable for opportunities to expand pipeline through innovation workshops, POVs, and targeted thought leadership aligned to Microsoft Data & AI offerings.
• Ensure proposed solutions align with Microsoft best practices, security standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Stay current on Microsoft Data & AI roadmaps and industry trends to continuously sharpen competitive positioning and client impact.
• Lead the strategy and execution of relevant platform accelerators, reference architectures, and delivery playbooks.
• Mentor, develop and motivate your team to lead pre-sales and subsequent delivery advisory efforts independently.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in Data Science, AI, Data, or Analytics roles, with significant exposure to enterprise client environments.
• Proven experience leading pre-sales or client-facing technical engagements, including discovery, solution design, and executive presentations.
• Deep hands-on expertise with Microsoft Data & AI in at least one of Azure Data Services, Azure AI, Synapse/Fabric, Databricks on Azure.
• Strong ability to translate complex technical capabilities into clear business value narratives that resonate with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Demonstrated 1M$+ deal success partnering with sales and account teams to influence pipeline progression and close deals.
• Executive presence with experience owning the C-suite engagement and lead the partnership with senior leaders as a trusted technical advisor.
• Strong architectural mindset with the ability to design end-to-end Data & AI solutions aligned to client objectives, security, and governance needs.
• Excellent communication skills, including whiteboarding.