Director, AI Strategy & Transformation

NielsenIQ • Chicago, IL

4d • Remote

About The Position

NIQ is seeking a Director of AI Strategy and Transformation to shape and advance a portfolio of strategic AI initiatives across the organization. This role translates enterprise strategy into coordinated action by prioritizing opportunities, mobilizing cross-functional teams, aligning senior stakeholders, and maintaining momentum on critical initiatives. The Director will work across Customer Success, Product Leadership, Technology, and other enterprise teams, as well as with external technology and consulting partners, to ensure the Customer Success AI transformation portfolio is executed effectively.

The role combines portfolio strategy with hands-on strategic initiative leadership. The Director evaluates opportunities, investments, dependencies, risks, and sequencing; converts priorities into roadmaps and clear accountability; and leads selected initiatives requiring senior-level coordination and influence. They also develop executive recommendations and decision materials, maintain visibility into progress and risks, help evolve governance and ways of working, and manage selected strategic partner relationships.

This is a remote position for candidates physically located in the United States. The anticipated base compensation is $132,000–$160,000; the role may also be eligible for a sales-based incentive or performance-based bonus. NIQ describes the work environment as flexible and offers comprehensive health coverage, parental leave, life insurance, education support, and additional benefits.

Requirements

• Demonstrated success managing a portfolio of complex initiatives and aligning stakeholders around shared priorities.
• Experience leading across complex, matrixed organizations and influencing senior stakeholders without relying on direct authority.
• Experience translating strategy into roadmaps, investment decisions, and coordinated execution.
• Strong strategic judgment and ability to evaluate opportunities, tradeoffs, dependencies, and organizational readiness.
• Portfolio mindset, including experience with prioritization, roadmap development, and cross-functional delivery.
• Executive-level communication, stakeholder management, and facilitation skills.
• Adaptability and comfort with ambiguity, including the ability to create structure, change course when needed, and maintain momentum.
• Must be physically located within the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Experience leading AI, digital, data, or technology-enabled transformation.
• Familiarity with NIQ’s business, clients, products, and internal operating environment, or comparable experience in the data and insights industry.
• Formal Product Management or Product Leadership experience involving a portfolio of development efforts.
• Experience managing strategic relationships with technology companies, consulting firms, or other external partners.

Responsibilities

• Shape and maintain a portfolio of strategic AI transformation initiatives aligned with enterprise priorities.
• Evaluate opportunities, investments, dependencies, risks, and sequencing to support leadership decisions.
• Translate strategic priorities into clear roadmaps, decisions, and areas of accountability.
• Mobilize cross-functional teams around high-priority or emerging transformation opportunities.
• Provide direct leadership to selected strategic initiatives requiring senior-level coordination and influence.
• Identify barriers, resolve ambiguity, and establish practical paths from concept to execution.
• Build alignment among senior business, Product, and Technology leaders.
• Develop strategic recommendations, leadership narratives, and decision materials.
• Maintain visibility into portfolio progress, emerging risks, and decisions requiring executive attention.
• Help evolve governance, engagement models, and ways of working that support AI transformation.
• Establish repeatable approaches for prioritizing, mobilizing, and overseeing strategic initiatives.
• Lead relationships with selected technology, consulting, and strategic partners, ensuring their work supports enterprise priorities.

Benefits

• Flexible working environment
• Comprehensive healthcare plan, including medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and a Health Savings Account, including company contributions
• Life and AD&D insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions
• Disability insurance
• Tuition reimbursement and education support
• Discretionary paid time off
• 11 paid holidays
• Volunteer time off
• LinkedIn Learning
• Employee Assistance Program
• Industry-leading parental leave
• Potential sales-based incentive or performance-based bonus

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed