The Associate Director of AI Solutioning & Market Strategy is a senior leader who combines deep AI expertise with strategic market vision. This hybrid “player-coach” role is critical for driving success in two areas:

1. Winning high-value AI Training Data deals by personally architecting solutions and commercial models for our most complex opportunities.
2. Shaping our Go-to-Market (GTM) strategy by building analyst relationships, developing strategic partnerships, and positioning our brand as a leader in AI data services.

You are both a senior dealmaker and a market-facing strategist—mentoring the team while actively influencing the AI ecosystem and opening new growth avenues.

Responsibilities

1. Strategic AI Deal Leadership

• Lead High-Impact Pursuits: Own the end-to-end solutioning process for multi-million-dollar AI Training Data deals, from qualification through closure.
• Architect AI Solutions & Commercial Models: Design advanced AI Training Data solutions, including annotation pipelines, QA frameworks, HITL workflows, and scalable delivery models for Generative AI, LLMs, and Computer Vision. Engineer competitive pricing strategies, margin optimization, and innovative deal structures.
• Client Engagement: Lead executive-level workshops and presentations, articulating the strategic importance of training data and our differentiated value proposition.

2. Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy & Market Positioning

• Analyst Relations Leadership: Own relationships with key industry analysts (Gartner, Forrester, Everest Group). Drive briefings, manage inquiries, and oversee submissions for evaluative reports (Magic Quadrants, PEAK Matrices) to position us as a leader in AI data services.
• Partner Ecosystem Development: Identify and nurture partnerships with AI platform providers, cloud vendors, and technology innovators to create joint GTM strategies and unlock new opportunities.
• Thought Leadership: Act as an AI evangelist by creating impactful content (white papers, webinars, blogs) that reinforces our credibility in the AI Training Data space.

3. Team Mentorship & Process Excellence

• Mentor Solutioning Team: Guide Senior Managers and Solution Consultants on AI solution design, deal strategy, and GTM execution.
• Drive Process Innovation: Develop reusable AI solution frameworks, pricing models, and best practices to improve win rates and accelerate pursuit cycles.

Skills & Qualifications

Required:

• AI/ML Expertise: Deep understanding of the AI lifecycle and the critical role of training data. Must be highly credible in discussing data annotation, QA, and modern AI paradigms (LLMs, GenAI, CV).
• Deal Leadership: Proven success in leading and winning large-scale AI solutioning deals with hands-on experience in solution architecture and commercial modeling.
• Strategic GTM Experience: Direct experience in analyst relations, technology partnerships, or product/service marketing.
• Executive Presence: Exceptional ability to communicate complex AI solutions and commercial strategies to C-level stakeholders and industry analysts.

Preferred:

• Existing relationships with analysts in AI/data/automation space.
• Proven success in building partner-led opportunities.
• Experience mentoring solutioning teams.
• Engineering or advanced degree in AI/ML is a strong plus.

The Cognizant community:
We are a high caliber team who appreciate and support one another. Our people uphold an energetic, collaborative and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

• Cognizant is a global community with more than 300,000 associates around the world.
• We don’t just dream of a better way – we make it happen.
• We take care of our people, clients, company, communities and climate by doing what’s right.
• We foster an innovative environment where you can build the career path that’s right for you.

About us:
Cognizant is one of the world's leading professional services companies, transforming clients' business, operating, and technology models for the digital era. Our unique industry-based, consultative approach helps clients envision, build, and run more innovative and efficient businesses. Headquartered in the U.S., Cognizant (a member of the NASDAQ-100 and one of Forbes World’s Best Employers 2025) is consistently listed among the most admired companies in the world. Learn how Cognizant helps clients lead with digital at www.cognizant.com

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Disclaimer:
Compensation information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.