Senior AI Strategist

Description & Requirements We now have an exciting opportunity for a Senior AI Strategist to join the Maximus AI Accelerator supporting the enterprise at large. We are looking for a proactive, self-starter leader and team player to be a part of the AI Accelerator team. You will be responsible for driving enterprise-level AI strategy development, influencing leadership teams and aligning initiatives with long-term business value. Success requires systems thinking, strategic foresight, storytelling, and the ability to navigate ambiguity while fostering alignment across diverse stakeholders. Success depends on cross-functional collaboration, strategic communication, and adaptability in fast-paced, evolving technology landscapes. This position will be focused on strategic company-wide initiatives but will play a role in project delivery and capture solutioning (i.e., leaning in on existing or future projects and providing solutioning to capture new work) in addition to managing and expanding our AI Accelerator portfolio and capabilities. Essential Duties and Responsibilities : - Lead and refine Maximus' organization's AI vision and roadmap aligned with strategic OCDIO business goals. - Lead the analysis of internal processes, data assets, and market trends to identify AI use cases that drive operational efficiency, customer value, or competitive advantage. - Collaborate with executive leadership, product owners, Enterprise IT Services, data science teams, and business units (GCC, Solution Delivery, USS, Fed, and international) to consult on integration AI into existing workflows and digital products. - Manage multiple AI projects, ranging from small to large-scale enterprise initiatives, ensuring delivery on time, within scope, and on budget. Utilize advanced knowledge of workflows and project mapping to manage competing priorities and maintain project momentum. - Lead cross-functional teams through the AI project lifecycle using agile and hybrid methodologies tailored for data and AI sprint cycles. Communicate project progress and strategic impact to internal and external stakeholders, including clients, vendors, and executive leadership. - Partner with legal, compliance, and data governance teams to ensure ethical AI practices, privacy, and risk mitigation. This can include advisory roles as it pertains to governing documentation, regulatory analysis, etc. - Lead the establishment of KPIs and metrics to evaluate the effectiveness and ROI of AI deployments and continuously improve outcomes at the enterprise level. - Partner and support HR, L&OD, Change Management teams to drive AI literacy across Maximus and support change management initiatives to promote AI adoption and trust. - Coach and mentor junior project managers and team members, delegating tasks and reviewing work to ensure quality and alignment. What You Will Do : - Lead and refine Maximus' organization's AI vision and roadmap aligned with strategic OCDIO business goals. - Lead the analysis of internal processes, data assets, and market trends to identify AI use cases that drive operational efficiency, customer value, or competitive advantage. - Collaborate with executive leadership, product owners, Enterprise IT Services, data science teams, and business units (GCC, Solution Delivery, USS, Fed, and international) to consult on integration AI into existing workflows and digital products. - Manage multiple AI projects, ranging from small to large-scale enterprise initiatives, ensuring delivery on time, within scope, and on budget. Utilize advanced knowledge of workflows and project mapping to manage competing priorities and maintain project momentum. - Lead cross-functional teams through the AI project lifecycle using agile and hybrid methodologies tailored for data and AI sprint cycles. Communicate project progress and strategic impact to internal and external stakeholders, including clients, vendors, and executive leadership. - Partner with legal, compliance, and data governance teams to ensure ethical AI practices, privacy, and risk mitigation. This can include advisory roles as it pertains to governing documentation, regulatory analysis, etc. - Lead the establishment of KPIs and metrics to evaluate the effectiveness and ROI of AI deployments and continuously improve outcomes at the enterprise level. - Partner and support HR, L&OD, Change Management teams to drive AI literacy across Maximus and support change management initiatives to promote AI adoption and trust. - Coach and mentor junior project managers and team members, delegating tasks and reviewing work to ensure quality and alignment. Minimum Requirements - Bachelor's degree in relevant field of study and 7+ years of relevant professional experience required, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Minimum Requirements (required skills that align with contract LCAT, verifiable, and measurable) : - Understanding of AI technologies including machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and generative AI. - Strong grasp of data governance, model lifecycle management, and ethical AI principles. - Experience aligning AI capabilities with business goals and digital transformation strategies. - Ability to assess organizational readiness and lead the development of AI roadmaps. - Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to translate complex technical concepts into business outcomes. - Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud) and AI development tools. - US Citizen, Clearable with a Public Trust Minimum Education requirement : - Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Engineering, or a related field. - Master's degree preferred; MBA or advanced degree in a technical or business-related field is a plus. - Certified Artificial Intelligence Practitioner (CAIP) preferred. Years of Required Work-Related Experience : - Minimum 5 years of experience in strategy development, program management, or change management roles. - At least 3 years of experience in a strategic, leadership, or advisory capacity focused on AI / ML solutions. - Proven track record of developing and implementing enterprise-level transformation strategies Required Certifications : - N / A Preferred Key Skills and Abilities (not contractually required) : - Experience interacting with solution development teams : - Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams in AI initiative planning and execution. - Skilled in identifying AI use cases, evaluating ROI, and managing pilot-to-scale transitions. - Knowledge of industry regulations and compliance considerations related to AI. EEO Statement Maximus is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. Pay Transparency Maximus compensation is based on various factors including but not limited to job location, a candidate's education, training, experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value analysis including seniority and merit systems, as well as internal pay alignment. Annual salary is just one component of Maximus's total compensation package. Other rewards may include short- and long-term incentives as well as program-specific awards. Additionally, Maximus provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays and paid time off. Compensation ranges may differ based on contract value but will be commensurate with job duties and relevant work experience. An applicant's salary history will not be used in determining compensation. Maximus will comply with regulatory minimum wage rates and exempt salary thresholds in all instances. Minimum Salary $ 126,320.00 Maximum Salary $ 180,000.00