Manager / Principal – Data & AI Strategy - Paris

Manager / Principal – Data & AI Strategy Merittas | Paris, Île-de-France (Hybrid)

Location:
Paris Sector: Strategy Consulting – Data & AI We are working with a highly regarded Paris-based strategy consulting firm on the appointment of both a Manager and Principal within Data & AI Strategy. The firm has built an excellent reputation in the French market for combining high-level strategy consulting with genuine Data, AI and technical expertise, working with some of France's largest and most sophisticated organisations on complex transformation challenges. Unlike many traditional strategy firms, Data & AI is not simply an adjacent capability. It is at the heart of the firm's proposition, with teams combining strategy consultants, Data Scientists, AI specialists and hybrid profiles who can bridge the gap between business strategy and technology. The Opportunity The successful candidates will advise senior executives on how Data and AI can create tangible business value, working from strategic definition through to execution. Assignments can include: Data & AI Strategy Generative AI strategy and transformation AI-enabled business transformation Data-driven growth strategy AI use-case identification and prioritisation Data strategy and operating models AI and Data governance Digital and technology strategy Business case development Data-driven performance improvement AI-enabled operating model transformation Supporting the implementation and scaling of Data & AI initiatives The work is focused on solving strategic business problems using Data and AI, rather than simply implementing technology. Genuine Technical Depth One of the firm's major differentiators is the technical quality of its people. The wider team includes significant expertise across: Python Machine Learning Deep Learning Data Science Statistics Natural Language Processing Computer Vision Data Analysis AI and advanced analytics Candidates do not need to be hands-on Data Scientists or software engineers. However, they should have sufficient Data & AI knowledge to work credibly with technical specialists while translating complex technology into strategic recommendations for senior business leaders. Profiles combining strategy consulting with genuine technical or quantitative expertise are particularly attractive. Clients & Sectors The firm works with major French and international organisations across a range of sectors, including: Financial Services Energy Transportation Consumer & Retail Telecommunications & Media Healthcare & Life Sciences Industrial sectors Private Equity The successful candidates will have exposure to senior decision-makers and some of the most complex Data & AI strategy programmes in the French market. Culture The culture is a major differentiator. The firm has deliberately maintained a collaborative, entrepreneurial and low-politics environment, despite working at a very high level in the market. There is a strong emphasis on: Collaboration rather than internal competition Intellectual curiosity Technical excellence Entrepreneurship Individual responsibility Developing and looking after people Giving talented individuals significant exposure and opportunity It offers an alternative for consultants who want the quality of work and clients associated with leading strategy firms without an aggressive or overly political internal culture. The Profile Candidates should ideally bring: Experience within strategy, management or Data & AI consulting Strong exposure to Data, Analytics and/or Artificial Intelligence The ability to connect Data & AI capabilities with commercial and strategic business problems Experience working with senior clients Strong problem-solving and analytical capability Excellent communication skills An entrepreneurial and collaborative mindset Fluent French Strong English An excellent academic background The firm has an exceptionally strong academic culture, with its people coming from many of France and Europe's leading engineering and business schools, including HEC Paris, CentraleSupélec, ESSEC, École Polytechnique, ENSAE Paris, Télécom Paris and ESCP. Manager Manager candidates should demonstrate the ability to: Independently manage significant workstreams and projects Lead and develop consulting teams Work directly with senior clients Translate Data & AI topics into clear strategic recommendations Contribute to proposition and business development Principal Principal candidates should additionally demonstrate: Leadership of major client engagements Strong senior executive relationships Commercial and Business Development capability The ability to originate and develop new consulting opportunities Experience developing teams and capabilities Potential to progress towards senior leadership / Partner level Why Join? This represents an opportunity to join a firm that combines: Strategy consulting + genuine Data & AI expertise + major clients + entrepreneurial culture + strong progression. For consultants who want to work at the intersection of business strategy and the AI revolution, while remaining in a collaborative and people-focused environment, this is a particularly compelling opportunity. If you are interested in discussing either the Manager or Principal opportunity confidentially, please send

your profile
to paul.heslop@merittas.com.