AI, Data & Technology - AI-ML Director (Philadelphia)

Grant Thornton US is building a market-leading AI practice focused on practical, secure, and scalable outcomes for our clients, and we are hiring AI/ML Solution Architects to lead discovery phase through production delivery. Hiring in most major US cities. As an AI-ML Architect you will translate business objectives into end-to-end AI architectures across ML/AI, application integration, data and governance—defining target-state designs, reference patterns, and implementation roadmaps; guiding technology choices across cloud and modern stacks; and partnering with security, risk, and delivery leaders to ensure solutions are operable, compliant, and measurable. The ideal candidate brings the right blend of hands-on AI engineering credibility and consulting leadership—strong communication with executives and technical teams, experience designing AI solutions that integrate with enterprise systems, and a pragmatic approach to tradeoffs across accuracy, cost, latency, reliability, and risk—along with the ability to mentor teams and shape repeatable assets and accelerators. We are actively recruiting for: Manager level (5+ years) for architects, and Director level (7+ years) for senior architects who can set technical standards, drive quality and reliability, and help shape reusable patterns and accelerators. This role is specifically a strategic investment to grow our AI capabilities and advisory services.If you want your work to matter, this is the moment: we are not building “another AI consulting practice”—we are rewriting the playbook for how clients deliver on the promise of AI. We’re building a practice where teams love the pace, the craft, and the real-world impact.Day-to-day responsibilities:Lead discovery workshops to clarify business objectives, constraints, and measurable success criteria for AI/ML initiativesTranslate requirements into end-to-end target-state architectures across data, ML/AI, application integration, security, and governanceDefine pragmatic tradeoffs across accuracy, latency, cost, reliability, privacy, and risk—and communicate decisions to exec and engineering audiencesDesign the data + model lifecycle (pipelines, training/finetuning, serving, monitoring, drift detection, retraining) and the required MLOps/LLMOps foundationsEstablish integration patterns with enterprise systems (APIs/events/workflows, IAM, observability) so solutions are operable and supportable in productionPartner with security, privacy, and risk teams to embed controls (access, auditability, data handling, responsible AI) into solution designsProduce core delivery artifacts (architecture diagrams, reference patterns, implementation roadmap, runbooks) and drive architecture reviewsMentor teams and build reusable assets/accelerators (reference architectures, templates, evaluation scorecards) to scale repeatable delivery qualityYou have the following technical skills and qualifications:Bachelor's degree preferably in data science or computer science or related disciplineFor managers, minimum five years of hands-on developer experience in machine learning and artificial intelligence stacks For Directors, at least two years of experience leading teams of AI/ML architects and developersDemonstrated experience designing and delivering production AI/ML solutions in an enterprise environmentStrong grounding in cloud architecture (AWS/Azure/GCP), distributed systems, and modern data platformsExperience with MLOps practices (model lifecycle, monitoring, governance, deployment automation)Experience partnering with security/risk to implement privacy, access controls, auditability, and responsible AI practicesAbility to lead senior client stakeholders through decisions under ambiguityExperience to develop long-standing relationships with clientsExperience leading AI/ML delivery programsExperience with AI patterns (RAG, agentic, etc.)Preferred: experience with regulated environments (SOX, HIPAA, PCI, model risk management)Experience leading proposal solutioning / estimates / technical writing for pursuitsExperience mentoring junior or senior colleagues in AI/ML architecturesExperience guiding clients on build vs. buy decisions of AI/ML powered use casesFlexible, adaptable and an eager self-starter English: Fluent spoken and written communications skills Prior consulting industry experience or prior experience in an internal consulting roleConsistent with the firm’s hybrid work model, this position will require in-person attendance at least two days a week either at a Grant Thornton office or at a client siteReadiness to travel up to 60%Must be currently eligible to work in the United States, position is not eligible for employer sponsorship Consistent with the firm’s hybrid work model, this position will require in-person attendance at least two days per week, either at a Grant Thornton office or client site#Hybrid#LI-LG1The base salary range for this position is between $170,568 and $274,554. Placement within the pay range is at Grant Thornton’s discretion, and it is based on multiple factors, including but not limited to, job -related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, progression within the role, geographic location, and internal equity. At Grant Thornton, compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate. At Grant Thornton, we believe in making business more personal and building trust into every result – for our clients and you. Here, we go beyond your expectations of a career in professional services by offering a career path with more: more opportunity, more flexibility, and more support. It’s what makes us different, and we think being different makes us better. In the U.S., Grant Thornton delivers professional services through two specialized entities: Grant Thornton LLP, a licensed, certified public accounting (CPA) firm that provides audit and assurance services ― and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC (not a licensed CPA firm), which exclusively provides non-attest offerings, including tax and advisory services. In 2025, Grant Thornton formed a multinational, multidisciplinary platform with Grant Thornton Ireland. The platform offers a premier Trans-Atlantic advisory and tax practice, as well as independent American and Irish audit practices. With $2.7 billion in revenues and more than 50 offices spanning the U.S., Ireland and other territories, the platform delivers a singular client experience that includes enhanced solutions and capabilities, backed by powerful technologies and a roster of 12,000 quality-driven professionals enjoying exceptional career-growth opportunities and a distinctive cross-border culture. Grant Thornton is part of the Grant Thornton International Limited network, which provides access to its member firms in more than 150 global markets.The team you’re about to join is ready to help you thrive. Here’s how:
• Whether it's your work location, weekly schedule, or flex time off, we empower you with the options to work the way that it best serves your clients and your life. Consistent with the firm's hybrid work model, this position will require in-person attendance at least three days per week, either at a GT office or client site.


• Here, you are supported to prioritize your overall well-being through work-life integration options that work best for you and those in your household. 


• We understand that your needs, responsibilities and experiences are different — and we think that’s a good thing. That’s why we support you with personalized and comprehensive benefits that recognize and empower all the identities, roles and aspirations that make you, well, you. See how at
• When it comes to inclusion, we are committed to doing more than checking boxes. Explore all the ways we’re taking action for diversity, equity & inclusion at what you can expect next: 
If you apply and are selected to interview, a Grant Thornton team member will reach out to you to schedule a time to connect. We encourage you to also check out other roles that may be a good fit for you or get to know us a little bit better at  
Benefits:
We understand that your needs, responsibilities and experiences are different, and we think that’s a good thing. That’s why we support you with personalized and comprehensive benefits that recognize and empower all the identities, roles and aspirations that make you, well, you. For an overview of our benefit offerings, please visit:  for internship positions: Grant Thornton interns are eligible to participate in the firm’s medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm’s employee assistance program. Interns also receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave, and are paid for firm holidays that fall within their internship period.Benefits for seasonal employee positions: Grant Thornton seasonal employees are eligible to participate in the firm’s medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm’s employee assistance program. Seasonal employees may also be eligible to participate in the firm’s 401(k) savings plan and employee retirement plan in accordance with applicable plan terms and eligibility requirements. Seasonal employees receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave. 
Grant Thornton employees may be eligible for a discretionary, annual bonus based on individual and firm performance, subject to the terms, conditions and eligibility criteria of the applicable bonus plan or program. Interns and seasonal employees are not eligible for bonus compensation.
Additional Details:
It is the policy of Grant Thornton to promote equal employment opportunities. All personnel decisions (including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, working conditions, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, evaluati