Senior AI Consultant / Project Lead (m/f/x)

Über diese Stelle

The appliedAI Initiative elevates Europe’s industry to become shapers in the age of AI, creating a future that we desire to live in. Through our ecosystem of strong partners, comprehensive programs, services and solutions we advance companies holistically on their AI journey. With our uniquely diverse, interdisciplinary, and driven team, we build on deep technical expertise while specializing on applicability of the solutions. We share a mindset of collaboration and openness with our ecosystem of leading companies and tech players. Our common goal is to strengthen the European landscape, jointly creating unique knowledge for applying trustworthy AI. We believe that AI Agents will be the dominant topic for AI in the near future and that appliedAI with its partner ecosystem will impact how this technology is being used in industry and beyond in Europe.

We are looking for a Senior AI Consultant (m/f/x) ready to take full ownership of strategic AI engagements with our partner companies — from DAX corporations to leading “Mittelstand” companies. At this level, you become the day-to-day face of delivery for the client and the go-to owner for a focus topic internally. You guide organizations through defining and scaling their AI strategies, developing high-value (agentic) AI use case portfolios, and building the operating models to bring AI into action. You work closely with our (Technical) AI Strategists, AI Engineers, and adjacent teams such as Enablement & Change and Trustworthy AI, while co-owning the development of unique assets in the Strategy & Transformation space.

Your tasks will include:

Own delivery end-to-end: Take full responsibility for project outcomes across all workstreams — scoping, planning, staffing, execution, and risk. Orchestrate multi-workstream engagements, ensure cross-functional alignment, and create clarity for the team in ambiguous situations
Shape AI strategies for our partners: Drive the development and implementation of AI strategies, establish effective AI operating models, and compile high-value (Agentic) AI use case portfolios for DAX and “Mittelstand” clients
Be the trusted partner to senior stakeholders: Manage the full stakeholder landscape, align conflicting agendas, anticipate political dynamics, command attention in C-level meetings, and deliver difficult messages diplomatically — building relationships where you are seen as a partner, not a vendor
Lead and develop high-performing teams: Lead cross-functional project teams (AI Strategists, AI Engineers, and others), assign responsibilities, coach team members, and create teachable moments
Grow accounts and shape proposals: Identify expansion opportunities during delivery (scope adds, next phase), contribute to proposals with meaningful ownership (scope, approach, plan, delivery model, risks), and supply credible sizing, staffing, and timeline options while protecting margin through disciplined scope management
Build depth and become a recognized specialist: Develop a recognized specialization in a topic or industry, design custom approaches for novel client situations, and become the internal go-to owner for your focus area
Co-own and scale our offering: Co-own topics within the Strategy & Transformation team, further develop top-notch assets that allow scaling our offering, and actively share patterns and lessons learned through case shares and reusable assets
Stay at the frontier of AI: Stay up to date with strategic AI questions, state-of-the-art research, and emerging AI capabilities (e.g., AI agents) — translating them into concrete value for our clients

An outstanding academic record in a business- or tech-related subject.
Minimum 6 years of professional experience in Strategy Consulting and/or Management Consulting — with a proventrack recordof owning complex projects end-to-end at the level of senior client stakeholders
Hands-on experience applying AI within companies, combining strategic project management with strong technical expertise and a passion for AI
Business development mindset and strong awareness of stakeholder dynamics — contribute meaningfully to proposals, anticipate political dynamics, and build trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders
Excellent communication and presentation skills — translate complex AI topics into business impact for any audience (C-Level, Domain Experts, Operational Teams) and stay composed in fast-paced, ambiguous environments
A team player who develops others, coaches team members, and contributes actively to recruiting, knowledge management, and community-of-practice activities
Fluent English and German skills are required

A highly qualified and motivated team of ~90 people is on a journey to change the rapidly evolving European AI Landscape
Experience the best of both worlds with our hybrid work model: You can choose to work from our vibrant offices - either at the IPAI in Heilbronn or the House of Communication in Munich - while also enjoying the flexibility to work remotely a few days each week
Opportunity to shape a variety of projects and the development of new, original content based on the latest developments in AI and its adoption in businesses
An atmosphere that encourages to think and experiment in new ways with software, hardware, and processes
A highly visible initiative that helps you build a large and high-level network of start-ups, partners, and tech companies
No fixed budget for growth – you decide how you want to develop, whether through training, certifications, conferences, or new challenges
Sports membership with Wellpass to access thousands of sports facilities all over Germany (and beyond), as well as online courses
JobRad: Lease a bike for a cheaper rate via JobRad and we cover the bike insurance on top
Sabbatical option: You can take a sabbatical of up to 3 months after min. 3 years of employment - because sometimes 30 vacation days are not enough to explore the beauty of this world
PME Familienservice: A 24/7…