Managing Director, Data, Analytics & AI

RSM US LLP • Chicago, IL

22h

About The Position

We are the leading provider of professional services to the middle market globally, our purpose is to instill confidence in a world of change, empowering our clients and people to realize their full potential. Our exceptional people are the key to our unrivaled, culture and talent experience and our ability to be compelling to our clients. You’ll find an environment that inspires and empowers you to thrive both personally and professionally. There’s no one like you and that’s why there’s nowhere like RSM. RSM is seeking a Managing Director, Data, Analytics & AI to accelerate growth in our Data & Digital Services (DDS) business. This leader will shape our market narrative and lead executive advisory, assessments, and large-scale transformation programs—building durable, high-impact, client relationships that scale. The ideal candidate brings executive credibility across enterprise data strategy, cloud data architecture, analytics, AI, and governance, with a proven record of building pipeline, shaping go-to-market offerings, and converting strategy into multi-phase delivery. This is a client-facing, revenue-generating role with accountability for growth, offering development, thought leadership, and cross-firm collaboration. Managing Director Leadership Expectations The Managing Director role is designed for leaders with a distinct strategic focus or specialization needed to serve strategic clients and execute firm strategy. Managing Director focuses on client trust, deal shaping, and market credibility, not delivery oversight alone. Managing Director is considered a destination level with clear criteria encompassing behaviors and threshold metrics that serve as guideposts. Managing Directors are expected to model firm values and the 5 C’s in all interactions: Core values: Respect and uncompromising integrity; Succeeding together; Excellence in all we do; Impactful innovation; Stewardship: Acting responsibly 5 C’s: Caring, Curious, Collaborative, Courageous, and Critical thinking

Requirements

• 20+ years of progressive leadership experience in data, analytics, AI, and/or cloud consulting, including executive advisory and large-scale delivery ownership.
• Demonstrated success leading large, multi-disciplinary teams delivering cloud, data platform, analytics, and governance programs at enterprise scale.
• Proven revenue generation and practice growth track record—building pipeline, closing deals, and expanding accounts in consulting services.
• Deep expertise in enterprise data strategy, data governance, master data management (MDM), and enterprise business intelligence.
• Strong solution architecture credentials and hands-on experience spanning Microsoft, Databricks, Snowflake, and at least one hyperscaler-native stack (AWS/Azure/GCP).
• Executive presence and ability to engage C-suite stakeholders as a strategic advisor and technical leader.
• Deep understanding of modern data platforms, tools, and cloud capabilities supporting enterprise data modernization.
• Demonstrated experience driving digital transformation through data, analytics, AI, and GenAI.
• Strong executive communication skills with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Proven sales and presales track record, including building pipeline, leading RFP solutioning, and closing consulting engagements.
• Extensive experience managing executive client relationships and senior technology partners.
• Ability to travel approximately 25%, as needed.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in regulated industries (financial services, manufacturing, energy, government) is a plus.
• Prior executive roles such as Chief Data Officer (CDO), Chief Information Officer (CIO), or Chief Technology Officer (CTO) are strong pluses.
• Proven record of converting strategy and assessment work into large delivery engagements.
• Advanced understanding of DataOps, MLOps, and FinOps.
• Prior experience as a data architect, chief data officer, chief information officer, or chief technology officer.
• Strong domain expertise in one or more industries (financial services, manufacturing, energy, public sector, technology, etc.).
• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or an MBA preferred.
• Advanced data and cloud platform certifications strongly desired.
• AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty, Solutions Architect – Professional, and/or Machine Learning – Specialty
• Databricks Certified Associate/Professional Data Engineer
• Microsoft Fabric / Azure Data certifications (DP-600, DP-203, or equivalent)
• Snowflake certifications (SnowPro Core, Advanced Architect)
• Enterprise architecture credentials such as TOGAF or Master Certified Architect (strongly preferred)
• Professional certifications in cloud computing, data, or analytics.
• Demonstrated success building and scaling a consulting practice.

Responsibilities

• Own and shape go‑to‑market offerings growth objectives for the Data, Analytics & AI portfolio within DDS; build and manage a strategic pipeline aligned to RSM priorities.
• Lead executive-level pre-sales: discovery workshops, value framing, solution architecture presentations, and RFP/RFI responses.
• Partner with account, sales, and industry leaders to identify, qualify, and progress opportunities; author Statements of Work (SOWs), proposals, and scope documents.
• Develop differentiated points of view that translate Data & AI capabilities into measurable business value and outcomes; represent RSM in the marketplace through thought leadership.
• Build and maintain a strong sales pipeline, partnering with Sales and account teams to progress opportunities from initial conversations through close.
• Convert strategy and assessment engagements into larger, multi‑phase delivery programs across cloud data platforms, analytics, AI, and governance.
• Act as an executive sponsor for strategic pursuits, RFPs, and accounts; lead solutioning, executive presentations, and deal shaping.
• Define enterprise data and AI operating models, including governance structures, policies, stewardship, and controls that enable responsible, scalable AI adoption.
• Lead master data management (MDM) strategy and implementation approaches to improve data quality, standardization, and cross‑domain consistency.
• Conduct rapid enterprise data and analytics assessments to evaluate current‑state architecture, platforms, analytics maturity, and AI readiness.
• Advise on investment prioritization, sequencing, and phased execution across enterprise data, analytics, and AI initiatives.
• Translate emerging data, analytics, AI, and GenAI capabilities into practical, value‑driven business strategies.
• Provide executive‑level credibility across data architecture, cloud platforms, analytics ecosystems, and AI technologies to support trusted, outcome‑focused advisory conversations.
• Oversee enterprise architecture direction across Microsoft, AWS, Google Cloud, Databricks, and Snowflake, ensuring scalability, security, and interoperability.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, and management consultants to shape modern reference architectures and solution patterns.
• Evaluate emerging trends in big data, analytics, AI/GenAI, DataOps, MLOps, and FinOps, advising clients on relevance, risk, and strategic impact.
• Provide end‑to‑end delivery oversight for cloud data platforms, analytics, and AI programs, with accountability for quality, risk, and stakeholder outcomes.
• Lead solution architecture across independent platforms (Databricks, Snowflake) and hyperscaler‑native stacks (Azure / Microsoft Fabric, AWS, GCP).
• Guide implementation of enterprise business intelligence, including Power BI, semantic modeling, and decision intelligence capabilities.
• Drive modern engineering practices such as CI/CD, DevOps, MLOps, and product‑oriented data operating models.
• Establish enterprise standards, frameworks, and best practices for data management, data governance, and data security.
• Lead data governance implementations spanning stewardship, data quality, metadata, lineage, and control frameworks.
• Ensure alignment with regulatory requirements, risk management expectations, and industry standards, particularly in regulated and data‑sensitive environments.
• Shape and evolve RSM’s data and digital narrative, aligning positioning across consulting, sales, and industry teams.
• Build, mentor, and retain high‑performing teams of architects, engineers, analysts, and engagement leaders across North America.
• Develop senior leaders and high‑potential talent within Data & Digital Services through coaching, sponsorship, and structured development.
• Create repeatable delivery assets—including methodologies, playbooks, accelerators, and reference architectures—to improve consistency, quality, and speed.
• Contribute to thought leadership through client presentations, industry events, publications, and internal enablement.
• Manage strategic technology and ISV relationships across AWS, Azure, GCP, Databricks, and Snowflake, including partner competency advancement.
• Collaborate across RSM to bring integrated, cross‑disciplinary solutions to clients and leverage global delivery resources effectively.

Benefits

• At RSM, we offer a competitive benefits and compensation package for all our people.
• We offer flexibility in your schedule, empowering you to balance life’s demands, while also maintaining your ability to serve clients.
• Learn more about our total rewards at https://rsmus.com/careers/working-at-rsm/benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive