NextGen AI Director

Job Description

At EY, we’re all in to shape your future with confidence.

We’ll help you succeed in a globally connected powerhouse of diverse teams and take your career wherever you want it to go. Join EY and help to build a better working world.

The opportunity

The NextGen AI Innovation Director serves as the strategic leader for EY’s various advanced AI efforts. The director will work collaboratively across EY to align on the vision, investment portfolio, and go‑to‑market strategy for the efforts. Some of the key efforts we expect in the near future consist of Vibe Coding, Reasoning Models, AI Evals, Open Weight models, Tabular Intelligence (Excel-based), and Intelligent Web Browsers. The Director will not only develop our capabilities in these areas, collaborating with key leaders in AI&D Consulting, CT, Tax, Assurance, and SaT, but also ensure that these capabilities support our GTM efforts and have demonstrable customer impact.

Essential Functions of the Job:

• Prioritize a balanced portfolio across key forward looking AI capabilities including Vibe Coding, Reasoning Models, AI Evals, Open Weight models, Tabular Intelligence (Excel-based), and Intelligent Web Browsers.
• Go‑to‑Market: Collaborate with key service lines and regions to bring some of these capabilities to market in order to drive customer impact.
• Stay abreast of industry trends and academic advancements to inform innovation and strategic direction.
• Represent the company at conferences and forums to promote its AI capabilities and establish thought leadership.

Analytical/Decision Making Responsibilities:

The director will address challenges in positioning the company as a leader in advanced AI capabilities, including overcoming internal skepticism and navigating complex client relationships. Strategic decisions will involve identifying high-value use cases, crafting compelling narratives, and aligning initiatives with both client needs and organizational goals.

Knowledge and Skills Requirements:

• 10+ years in consulting/software development with 3+ years stewarding GenAI/LLM portfolios. We are looking for technical insights but not necessarily an engineering manager.
• Proven business leadership such as in product leadership or GTM roles, and team management experience.
• Communication & Influence: Exceptional narrative skills; credible with partners, boards, and senior clients.
• Familiarity with AI development tools, frameworks, and methodologies.
• Market & Offer Design: Experience crafting executive buyer narratives, offer constructs, and commercialization models
• Advanced degree in computer science, AI, or a related field.

Supervision Responsibilities:

• Will operate with a high degree of independence, reporting directly to senior management.
• Regular supervisory contact will occur during strategic planning sessions and project reviews.
• Serve as people leader for senior managers/leads across Product/Business Ownership, Engineering, Architecture, and Evaluation/Safety.
• Mentor leaders, set expectations for standards and reuse, and remove executive‑level blockers.

Other Requirements:

• A modicum travel might be expected for key client meetings, industry events, or team collaboration.
• Flexibility in work hours may be necessary to accommodate global client needs and project deadlines.
• The role involves working in a dynamic environment with evolving technologies and market conditions.

Education:

A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence, or a related field. Master’s desirable.

Experience:

A minimum of 15 years of senior leadership experience with a proven track record of driving client engagement and building strategic partnerships in the technology sectors. Experience working with or advising clients in the industry is highly desirable. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in managing cross-functional teams, influencing organizational change, and navigating complex client relationships. Demonstrated success in elevating a firm's profile in emerging technologies and fostering a culture of innovation is essential.

Certification Requirements:

Relevant AI/ML/Cloud or innovation/strategy certifications are a plus.

What we offer you
The compensation ranges below are provided in order to comply with United States pay transparency laws. Other geographies will follow their local salary guidelines, which may not be a direct conversion of published US salary ranges. At EY, we’ll develop you with future-focused skills and equip you with world-class experiences. We’ll empower you in a flexible environment, and fuel you and your extraordinary talents in a diverse and inclusive culture of globally connected teams. Learn more.

• We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to the business. The base salary range for this job in all geographic locations in the US is $192,900 to $381,900. The base salary range for New York City Metro Area, Washington State and California (excluding Sacramento) is $231,400 to $433,900. Individual salaries within those ranges are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills and geography. In addition, our Total Rewards package includes medical and dental coverage, pension and 401(k) plans, and a wide range of paid time off options.
• Join us in our team-led and leader-enabled hybrid model. Our expectation is for most people in external, client serving roles to work together in person 40-60% of the time over the course of an engagement, project or year.
• Under our flexible vacation policy, you’ll decide how much vacation time you need based on your own personal circumstances. You’ll also be granted time off for designated EY Paid Holidays, Winter/Summer breaks, Personal/Family Care, and other leaves of absence when needed to support your physical, financial, and emotional well-being.

Are you ready to shape your future with confidence? Apply today.
EY accepts applications for this position on an on-going basis.

For those living in California, please click here for additional information.

EY focuses on high-ethical standards and integrity among its employees and expects all candidates to demonstrate these qualities.

EY | Building a better working world

EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets.

Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow.

EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.

EY provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, genetic information, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other legally protected basis, including arrest and conviction records, in accordance with applicable law.

EY is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities including veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and either need assistance applying online or need to request an accommodation during any part of the application process, please call 1-800-EY-HELP3, select Option 2 for candidate related inquiries, then select Option 1 for candidate queries and finally select Option 2 for candidates with an inquiry which will route you to EY’s Talent Shared Services Team (TSS) or email the TSS at ssc.customersupport@ey.com.