AI Strategist

CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen)•Nashville, TN

23h

About The Position

CLA is seeking an AI Strategy Consultant to help organizations translate emerging AI capabilities into practical, scalable business outcomes. Thie ideal candidate will be a highly independent professional who can originate, lead, and deliver AI strategy engagements with minimal supervision. The ideal candidate is a self-starter with strong strategic judgment, technical fluency in AI, and the credibility to engage senior stakeholders. You will lead client-facing projects end-to-end—shaping strategy, guiding execution, and serving as a trusted advisor on how AI should be deployed responsibly, effectively, and at scale This is a high-autonomy role for someone who wants to shape AI strategy for mid-market clients, influence senior leaders, and help define how organizations responsibly adopt AI.

Requirements

10+ years of experience
Demonstrated experience leading complex, ambiguous projects with limited supervision.
Strong working knowledge of AI concepts, including:
Generative AI, large language models, and traditional AI methodologies
AI/ML lifecycle and deployment considerations
AI governance, ethics, risk, and controls (preferred but not mandatory)
Hands-on experience as an individual contributor (e.g., Data Scientist, AI/ML Engineer, Applied Scientist, or similar technical role) is a strong plus, particularly experience building, deploying, or operationalizing AI solutions in real-world environments
Proven ability to communicate effectively with both technical teams and executive audiences.
Exceptional problem-solving skills, judgment, and intellectual curiosity.
Comfortable operating in environments with high ambiguity and rapid change.

Nice To Haves

Experience advising clients on enterprise AI transformation, digital strategy, or advanced analytics.
Familiarity with regulated industries (e.g., financial services, healthcare) is a plus.
Experience shaping operating models, governance structures, or transformation roadmaps.
Prior exposure to selling or expanding consulting engagements.

Responsibilities

AI Strategy & Advisory - Lead the design and delivery of AI strategy engagements, including AI opportunity identification and prioritization
Operating model and capability design
AI governance, risk, and responsible AI frameworks
Roadmaps for AI adoption, scaling, and value realization
Translate complex AI concepts (e.g., generative AI, agentic systems, automation) into clear executive-level insights and decisions.
Advise clients on aligning AI initiatives with business strategy, risk tolerance, regulatory considerations, and organizational readiness.
Project Leadership & Execution Own projects end-to-end, from scoping and planning through delivery and executive readout.
Serve as the primary day-to-day client lead, managing scope, timelines, quality, and outcomes with minimal oversight.
Coordinate with cross-functional teams (data science, engineering, risk, legal, cyber, operations) as needed to deliver integrated solutions.
Proactively identify risks, dependencies, and decision points; escalate thoughtfully and early when required.
Thought Leadership & Practice Development Contribute to the development of AI frameworks, methodologies, accelerators, and points of view.
Stay current on AI trends, regulations, and industry use cases; synthesize insights into practical guidance for clients and internal teams.
Support business development through proposal contributions, client conversations, and thought leadership materials
Client Relationship & Growth Build trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders (Director, VP, C-suite).
Identify follow-on opportunities and help shape future engagements based on client needs.
Act as a visible representative of the firm’s AI capabilities and perspective.