Position Description:
The Cognizant Automation practice focuses on providing Robotic Process Automation, Smart Data Intake, Analytics, Machine learning, Gen AI and Agentic AI solutions for mission critical business and IT processes to major industries globally. It is one of the fastest growing practices in the company, and a key pillar of our digital offerings. We are seeking an Engagement Lead / AI Strategy Lead to help our clients harness the power of AI and to manage the automation delivery for a North America-based customer.
This role will be accountable for establishing, sustaining and growing Cognizant’s Automation presence with the customer by ensuring operational and delivery excellence. The EL must also focus on creating value-added long-term partnerships with the client, internal account and market teams.
The right candidate for this role must have proven success with hands-on delivery and program management. Experience in leading the design and implementation of global automation programs with established governance at executive leadership level is a desired skill. They must also understand, appreciate and drive transformation based on business needs, to stay ahead of the competition, as the industry pivots to AI driven Automation.
Success begins with delivery excellence and hence one of the primary expectations from this role is to ensure that we first deliver on our commitments, thereby forging strong and trusted partnerships with the client and account teams.
This person is expected to leverage their combined industry, delivery and transformation expertise to lead AI automation opportunity identification, technical feasibility analysis, implement best practices, drive transparency through outcome management, demonstrate intelligent risk management and problem solving to support the client’s needs and solve business challenges through intelligent automation.
Goals in this role will include demonstrated delivery excellence, high customer satisfaction scores, meeting margin commitments, opportunities to partner on solutions, expanded presence at the client, referrals, and/or publicly reference-able accounts.
Responsibilities:
- Lead discovery sessions with clients and partner with the product owners and architects in the client organization to identify and evaluate AI automation opportunities, lead design and drive the right fit automation solution to achieve the expected business outcomes
- Design and deliver AI strategy roadmap aligned with client objectives
- Ensure delivery excellence by embedding best practices, outcome management and delivering on our commitments for both implementation and support.
- Establish, sustain or grow the Intelligent Process Automation capability in the assigned accounts. For example, identify opportunities for interconnected solutions, expand existing capabilities to new business areas, etc.
- Be a trusted delivery partner and point of contact for the client and Cognizant teams for the automation program/engagement.
- Ensure contractual commitments are tracked and implemented with reference to delivery.
- Collaborate with extended delivery teams across the globe.
Required Skills and Qualifications:
- Intelligent Process Automation practitioner, experienced in leading AI automation opportunity identification and evaluation
- Experience in assessing client infrastructure, data capabilities and organizational readiness for AI adoption
- Recommend frameworks for AI governance, responsible AI and define operating models to scale AI within client environments
- Practitioner experience in leading design and implementation of AI automation solutions on either cloud AI services (Azure, AWS, GCP etc.) or IPA tools like UiPath, Microsoft Power Platform/Co-pilot or full-stack technologies including Python.
- Management experience - Experience in leading and executing global automation programs involving Smart Data Intake, ML, Gen AI and Agentic AI solutions, with established governance at exec leadership/steering committee level.
- Operational Rigor – Demonstrated success and strength in managing across clients and programs to deliver results. This will combine a strong mindset in program and project management, leveraging data to drive objectives and creating strategic plans to deliver results for today while setting up for continue accelerated growth.
- Business Acumen - demonstrated experience in leading automation delivery for Insurance industry.
- Leadership– Ability to lead and manage a high performing team and support growth and development of team members. This individual will be expected to work with his or her team to continue to grow and develop team members to meet the fast-paced demand of the digital and automation space.
- Influencing skills - Ability to work with those within other teams to collaborate on optimal solutions and outcomes for clients. This individual will be expected to work with teams within the practice, collaborate with other business units and partner with account teams while managing to client expectations and growth strategies.
- Communication – Demonstrated strength in both verbal and written communication. Ability to clearly message across levels of an organization, including a strong executive presence.
- Financial acumen - to manage project P&L from an internal standpoint and help guide client in their investment choices from an external facing standpoint.
- Multi-geo experience and the ability to create effective relationships with offshore teams in a global delivery model.
- Exceptional client management skills and experience.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a virtual and highly-matrixed environment.
- Willing to travel to client location as per engagement requirement
Salary and Other Compensation:
The annual salary for this position is between $150,000 – $168,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.
This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.
Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:
- Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
- Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
- 401(k) plan and contributions
- Long-term/Short-term Disability
- Paid Parental Leave
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits 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.
Cognizant will only consider applicants for this position who are legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring company sponsorship now or at any time in the future.
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