Director - AI & Data Strategy; Retail Transformation

Intellibus Consulting is a boutique engineering and AI transformation firm that builds Intelligent Business Platforms for enterprises undergoing large-scale digital modernization.

Hybrid role based in or near Phoenix, AZ (client HQ proximity required)

We are not slide-only consultants. We are hands-on builders, and everyone, including leadership, is expected to roll up their sleeves in delivery.

We are leading AI-driven modernization for a large brick-and-mortar retail organization, spanning:

• Store operations systems
• Merchandising platforms
• Supply chain and logistics
• Customer-facing digital experiences
• Enterprise data and AI platforms

This role will own AI strategy, execution, and retail business transformation, while also building and scaling Intellibus’ Retail Business Unit.

Job Description

We are seeking a Director – AI & Data Strategy (Retail Transformation) to lead executive-level AI initiatives and build a scalable retail delivery practice for Intellibus.

This role sits at the intersection of:

• Retail business strategy
• AI & data platforms
• Engineering execution

You will partner directly with CIO, CTO, CDO, and business executives, translate strategy into executable programs, and oversee delivery across multiple squads covering:

• AI experimentation
• Data foundations
• Engineering modernization

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who is equally comfortable in the boardroom and deep in delivery planning and technical reviews.

What We Are Specifically Looking For

We are targeting leaders with experience in:

• Brick-and-mortar retail, grocery, or omnichannel enterprises
• Merchandising and supply chain platforms
• Store operations and POS ecosystems
• Retail data platforms and analytics
• AI applied to operational decision-making

Ideal backgrounds include companies such as:

large grocery chains, big-box retailers, or retail technology divisions where technology had to coexist with real-world operations.

Retail transformation experience is mandatory.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as the primary Intellibus partner to the client’s Executive Leadership Team.
• Translate business priorities into a prioritized portfolio of AI and data initiatives.
• Lead executive AI roadmap reviews and value realization discussions.
• Ensure all initiatives align with governance, compliance, and ethical AI standards.
• Act as a trusted advisor balancing ambition with technical and operational reality.

Program Direction & Delivery Oversight

• Own delivery across three core work streams.
• AI pilots and rapid experimentation.
• Data foundations and integration platforms.
• Engineering excellence and modernization.
• Coordinate ~20–30 engineers, data scientists, and delivery leads.
• Manage execution plans, sprint cadence, and dependency resolution.
• Track KPIs including productivity, cycle time, and business impact.
• Ensure integration across AI, data, and engineering initiatives.

Technical & Operational Leadership

• Provide architectural oversight for AI and data platforms.
• Guide AI problem framing, experimentation design, and success metrics.
• Advise on cloud platforms, MLOps, and data engineering practices.
• Understand retail systems (POS, loyalty, merchandising, supply chain) and how AI enhances them.
• Review and approve major technical deliverables.

Team & Practice Leadership

• Build and scale Intellibus’ Retail AI delivery practice.
• Mentor squad leads and technical managers.
• Standardize methodologies across AI, data, and engineering teams.
• Partner with internal operations to scale delivery globally.
• Represent Intellibus’ standards of engineering excellence and ethical AI.

Governance, Reporting & Value Realization

• Establish operating cadence.
• Weekly squad syncs.
• Bi-weekly sprint reviews.
• Monthly executive checkpoints.
• Deliver executive dashboards…