Principal: AI Product Strategist
About the role
This role has on-site requirements and must be commutable to Slalom's Nashville, TN office. Slalom is seeking an exceptional leader to guide organizations through comprehensive modernization of their product operating models and ways of working while fundamentally improving the flow of value to achieve measurable results. As a Principal in our Modern Product Org capability, you'll architect and lead large-scale transformations that fundamentally reshape how organizations build, deliver, and evolve products and services in the modern era focusing on one or more of these areas: Organizing Around Value Streams – Partner with executives and leaders to design and execute comprehensive transformation strategies that fundamentally reshape how large organizations structure, fund and operate their product portfolios; Architecting Modern Product Operating Models – Design value-centric organizational structures, governance frameworks, and operating rhythms that enable cross-functional teams to deliver customer value at scale. Be at the forefront of establishing Product Operating Models that serve AI Products, Data Products, and Platforms as Product that optimize results while minimizing costs; Implementing Lean Portfolio Management – Establish system that connect strategy to execution through value stream funding, portfolio governance, and metrics that optimize investment decisions and value delivery; Enabling Enterprise Agility – Guide organizations in adopting scaled agile frameworks and practices that optimize flow, minimize dependencies, and foster continuous improvement and outcome-focused delivery. Develop cultures of agility, adaptability, experimentation, shared goals, continuous improvement and continuous learning from the most senior executives through each team and individual; Integrating AI into Product Strategy and Product Management – Super charge our client’s product capabilities though integrating AI throughout the PDLC: from idea or need to realized value. Accelerate learning and results through experimentation and validation driven by AI tools.
Responsibilities
- Conducting product organizational assessments, identifying gaps and opportunities, facilitating stakeholder alignment sessions and developing transformation roadmaps with clear milestones and success criteria
- Creating customized product operating model frameworks, playbooks, and toolkits for organizational structures, funding models, governance mechanisms, team topologies, and operating rhythms based on client context and maturity
- Delivering multi-modal learning through executive workshops, training product leaders and teams, coaching individuals in new ways of working, and creating learning programs that build sustainable internal capability
- Standing up pilot teams and value streams, establishing new ceremonies and practices, deploying portfolio management systems, and guiding organizations through iterative refinement based on feedback and results
- Defining success metrics, establishing measurements frameworks, analyzing performance data, identifying improvement opportunities, and helping clients demonstrate ROI and business value
- Integrating AI into the product delivery lifecycle and building the capability in clients to effectively deliver AI-based products
- Contributing to Slalom’s intellectual capital, mentoring junior consultants, supporting business development activities, and representing Slalom through thought leadership and community engagement
Requirements
- 10+ years in product management, agile coaching or agile transformation with at least 3 years in consulting or advisory roles
- Deep expertise in product operating models, including hands-on experience as a product leader or building product organizations
- Strong knowledge of lean portfolio management and value management frameworks and practices (SAFe LPM, Lean Budgets, value stream management)
- Experience with scaled agile frameworks
- Current understanding of AI's impact on product development, including practical experience with AI-powered tools and AI product management
- Experience designing and executing on evidence or results-based transformation programs including change adoption strategies
Skills
- Strategic thinking: Ability to see the big picture while managing complex implementation details
- Ability to quickly turn ambiguity into clarity: Can quickly connect dots between disparate skills and experiences to create new solutions and approaches
- Executive presence: Confidence and credibility working with C-suite leaders and board members
- Facilitation mastery: Exceptional ability to lead diverse groups through complex problem-solving and decision-making
- Coaching & mentoring: Natural ability to develop others and build organizational capability along with an understanding of various coaching styles and approaches
- Communication excellence: Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including presentation and storytelling. Ability to recognize the needs and preferences of different audiences and readily adapt