Managing Director, Data & AI

Managing Director, Data & AI

Minneapolis

Grow with us. Lead with us. At Pioneer, you'll work directly with executive teams, solving complex problems and shaping strategies that reset what's possible. Sometimes the work is headline-worthy. Sometimes it's foundational. But every project earns trust – and earns us the right to take on more. You'll get the kind of access, challenge, and growth found at big firms – while helping build a company that's scaling fast and guided by what we value. If you're looking for meaning, momentum, and a seat at the table, you're in the right place.

The Managing Director (MD) of Data & AI is the senior executive accountable for the performance, growth, and long-term health of Pioneer's Minneapolis Data & AI practice. This role leads a newly unified team — formed by merging Pioneer's established data engineering and analytics capability with its AI and machine learning practice — and is responsible for integrating these teams into a coherent, market-leading offering.

The MD blends deep technical fluency in modern data platforms (Databricks, Microsoft Azure & Fabric, Snowflake) with applied AI/ML expertise to deliver measurable outcomes for clients. This role serves as the primary growth engine and senior client relationship owner for data and AI work across the Minneapolis market, and contributes to the broader direction of Pioneer's Technology Services strategy.

The MD brings consultative credibility and helps clients harness data and AI as a strategic asset. The MD leads with executive presence, builds pipeline through relationships and reputation, and ensures the practice delivers with quality, pace, and accountability.

Core Accountabilities

The Managing Director owns market outcomes across revenue, margin, client satisfaction, team engagement, and practice depth. Primary focus areas are business development and senior client relationship management, with accountability for the full practice P&L and the health of the newly merged team.

Responsibilities

Growth & Business Development

• Own and grow the Minneapolis Data & AI pipeline — from initial relationship to signed engagement
• Lead executive-level client conversations across data strategy, AI enablement, and platform modernization
• Develop and execute the Data & AI go-to-market strategy for Minneapolis, aligned to firmwide direction in collaboration with Pioneer's National Solutions Team.
• Drive account planning and expansion within existing clients across sectors, with an eye toward industries where data and AI create high strategic value
• Represent Pioneer at industry events, conferences, and thought-leadership forums to build market visibility
• Contribute to Pioneer's overall Technology Services strategy, collaborating with market and practice leaders to bring integrated solutions to clients

Client Delivery & Relationships

• Serve as executive sponsor on key client engagements, ensuring quality, risk management, and satisfaction
• Maintain senior-level client relationships as a trusted advisor on data and AI strategy
• Set and uphold delivery excellence standards aligned to Pioneer's delivery model and client satisfaction expectations
• Translate client business problems into concrete data and AI solutions leveraging Pioneer's capabilities
• Oversee utilization strategy and resource deployment across the practice portfolio

Practice Leadership & Team

• Lead the integration of Pioneer's data engineering/analytics and AI/ML teams into a unified, high-performing practice
• In partnership with Pioneer National Solutions team, refine the practice's service offerings, delivery methodology, and technology platform standards (Databricks, Azure, Fabric, Snowflake)
• Build and retain a strong team of data engineers, analytics consultants, data scientists, and ML engineers
• Drive talent acquisition, onboarding, and career development in partnership with Pioneer's talent processes
• Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and delivery accountability
• Own org design decisions and headcount planning as the practice scales

Planning & Operations

• Own annual business planning for the Minneapolis Data & AI practice, including revenue targets, headcount, and investment priorities
• Manage practice financials: revenue, margin, utilization, and pipeline health through Pioneer's operating systems (PioHub)
• Participate in Pioneer's Operating Model reviews and cross-market resource management
• Maintain visibility into AI/ML project portfolio performance and delivery risk across client engagements

Innovation & Offering Development

• Champion a product-oriented mindset within the practice — applying product development lifecycle thinking to how Pioneer builds and scales data and AI solutions
• Identify opportunities to develop repeatable accelerators, frameworks, and IP across the data and AI stack
• Stay current on advancements in AI/ML, data engineering, and platform technology; translate trends into client-relevant points of view
• Collaborate with Pioneer's broader AI team and firmwide leadership on cross-portfolio innovation initiatives

Requirements

Required

• 15+ years of experience in data, analytics, AI/ML consulting or professional services
• Demonstrated ability to grow revenue, manage a P&L, and own client relationships at the senior executive level
• Hands-on fluency with modern data platforms & their AI capabilities — Databricks, Microsoft Azure & Fabric, and/or Snowflake
• Experience leading or overseeing applied AI and machine learning engagements in a consulting or product context
• Track record of building, integrating, and scaling high-performing technical consulting teams
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence C-suite stakeholders and win competitive work
• Entrepreneurial mindset with sound judgment, decisiveness, and comfort with ambiguity
• Thrives in a high-accountability, growth-oriented environment with a bias toward action

Preferred

• Industry experience in utilities, energy, or infrastructure — ideally with direct client relationships in the sector
• Exposure to product development lifecycle and product ownership practices within a consulting or technology firm
• Experience leading organizational integrations or practice mergers
• Experience working with technology partnership networks (e.g. Microsoft, Anthropic, etc.)
• Familiarity with AI governance, responsible AI frameworks, and enterprise AI deployment at scale
• MBA or advanced degree in a quantitative or technical discipline

Technology Platform Expertise. The following platforms represent Pioneer's core delivery stack for this practice. Expertise in at least two is expected; the MD is expected to credibly lead client conversations across all.

• Databricks: Data lakehouse, unified analytics, and ML engineering
• Microsoft Azure & Fabric: Cloud data platform, real-time analytics, and end-to-end data integration
• Snowflake: Cloud data warehousing and data sharing
• AI / ML Tooling: Model development, MLOps, LLM orchestration, and enterprise AI deployment
• Low Code / No Code Platforms: Governance, training, deployments and process automation

Work Location: Must be able to maintain hybrid schedule in Minneapolis, MN market.

The estimated salary range for this role is $200-$285k annually. This is based on a wide array of factors unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skillset and years and depth of experience. This may differ from location to location. Bonuses and other incentives are awarded at the Company's discretion and are based upon individual contributions and overall company performance. Pioneer is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes meaningful time off and paid holidays, parental leave, 401(k) including employer match, tuition reimbursement, and a broad range of health and welfare benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, long and short-term disability, etc.