Data and AI Commercial Director Middle East

Job Description

About Kearney Activate

Kearney Activate is the business acceleration and enablement arm of Kearney. We help organizations unlock business impact through advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and decision intelligence. Our mission is to transform data into a strategic advantage, bridging the gap between technology execution and business outcomes.

At Activate, you’ll find an entrepreneurial environment where deep technical expertise meets client impact, supported by the global scale, reach, and reputation of Kearney.

Our Data & AI business line bridges strategy, technology, and execution to deliver data-driven, AI-enabled, and cloud-powered transformations. We partner with leading platforms such as Microsoft, AWS, Snowflake, Databricks and Anthropic to help organizations build trusted data foundations, deploy intelligent solutions, and scale innovation.

We operate across four key focus areas:* Advisory & Assurance Services: Driving strategy, governance, and change management to ensure impactful transformation.

• Data Services: Building trusted, high-quality data foundations using Agentic AI across engineering, architecture, and governance.
• Insights Services: Unlocking value through analytics, data science, and AI-driven storytelling for better decision-making.
• Asset Services: Developing reusable GenAI assets, accelerators, and AI-powered solutions that push the boundaries of innovation. Position Overview

We are seeking an energetic, visionary, and client-focused leader as part of our go-to-market team in the Middle East. You’ll shape and own major client relationships, help lead Data and AI-driven transformations, and work with delivery leaders to define and drive next generation data and AI offerings. While you won’t be coding, you must have real depth in data architecture, governance, AI technologies and program delivery, with the ability to guide teams, inspire clients, and roll up your sleeves when needed. This role is about being the bridge: turning ambition into strategy, strategy into delivery, and delivery into measurable growth. You will operate at the intersection of business development, commercial strategy, and delivery enablement - ensuring that Kearney Activate continues to scale its impact and market presence across data modernization and AI enablement. Your Responsibilities Client & Market Leadership* Build trusted C-suite relationships, advising clients on data and AI strategies that unlock measurable outcomes.

• Drive the origination and conversion of large-scale Data & AI transformation engagements. Leading pursuits, proposals, and thought leadership, positioning Activate as the partner of choice for data and AI transformation.

• Represent Activate in the market as a recognized data and AI leader through conferences, publications, and executive forums

• Lead complex deal shaping, proposals, SOWs, and negotiations to achieve revenue and margin goals. Partner Collaboration

• Work closely with strategic hyperscale and select technology partners (e.g. Microsoft, AWS, Snowflake, Databricks and Anthropic) to align go-to-market activities.

• Support partner-led pipeline generation and co-sell initiatives.

• Collaborate with alliances and marketing teams to co-develop market propositions and thought leadership.

• Track Data & AI market trends, emerging technologies, and competitor activity to inform strategy.

• Enable other commercial and delivery team members with training, collateral, and GTM tools.

• Represent Kearney Activate at key industry forums, client events, and partner summits. Your Profile

Required* 12+ years of experience in professional services GTM, business development, or commercial leadership roles, ideally in Data, AI, or Cloud domains.

• Proven success in developing and executing commercial strategies for technology-enabled services.
• Deep understanding of enterprise sales cycles, pricing mode