Associate Principal- Consulting

About Firstsource

Firstsource is a global leader in Business Process Management (BPM) and digital transformation, trusted by leading brands in Healthcare, BFSI, CMT, and other sectors. Our AI Consulting practice is at the forefront of our "unBPO" strategy — delivering measurable business outcomes through pragmatic, scalable AI adoption. Our AI strategy is rooted in operational reality and geared to deliver value at scale.

Role Overview

We are seeking a consulting-grade leader with deep AI transformation expertise who can translate AI opportunities into tangible P&L impact, EBITDA growth, and enterprise value creation.

This role is for someone who thrives at the intersection of boardroom strategy and delivery trenches — advising the C-suite, architecting AI roadmaps, and ensuring execution that drives hard financial outcomes. You will connect traditional AI, GenAI, and intelligent automation to real cost takeout, margin improvement, revenue growth, and competitive advantage.

Key Responsibilities

Client Leadership & Growth

- Build trusted relationships with C-suite and senior business leaders (CEO, CFO, COO, CDO).

- Shape multi-year AI transformation programs with clear EBITDA impact, including value articulation, business case development, and ROI modeling.

- Drive account expansion and originate $5M–$20M+ AI-led transformation deals.

AI Strategy & Roadmap Design

- Lead AI maturity assessments, opportunity mapping, and prioritization workshops that explicitly link AI initiatives to P&L levers (revenue uplift, cost efficiency, asset utilization).

- Define enterprise AI strategies across Traditional AI/ML, Generative AI, and Intelligent Automation.

- Create build vs. buy AI roadmaps leveraging Firstsource's partner ecosystem (hyperscalers, AI platforms, niche ISVs).

Solution Oversight & Execution

- Oversee design and delivery of AI solutions that directly improve margins, optimize cost-to-serve, and unlock growth.

- Ensure AI is embedded into operating models, processes, and tech stacks to sustain financial impact.

- Govern delivery to ensure programs move from PoC to scaled financial results.

Practice Development & Thought Leadership

- Develop and refine AI consulting IP — frameworks, financial impact models, and accelerators.

- Represent Firstsource in client forums, analyst briefings, and industry events as a trusted voice on AI's role in value creation.

- Mentor consulting talent to think in terms of financial levers, not just technology adoption.

Required Experience & Skills

Consulting DNA

- 10–18 years in top-tier management consulting (MBB, Big 4, or strategy boutique) or equivalent transformation leadership.

- Proven track record of selling and delivering large-scale ($5M–$20M) AI/digital transformation engagements with measurable EBITDA impact.

- Expertise in linking operational changes and AI initiatives to financial metrics valued by boards and investors.

AI Implementation Depth

- Strong working knowledge of AI/ML lifecycle: data strategy, model development, deployment, MLOps.

- Understanding of traditional AI/ML (predictive analytics, optimization, NLP, computer vision) and Generative AI (LLMs, agentic AI, RAG, fine-tuning, prompt engineering).

- Experience embedding AI into enterprise operations at scale to drive cost takeout and growth.

Technology Depth

- Strong understanding of the AI technology stack including data ingestion and processing layers, data platforms, feature stores, model development environments, MLOps pipelines, APIs, and cloud-native AI services.

- Proven ability to work with Traditional AI (predictive analytics, optimization, NLP, computer vision) and Generative AI (LLMs, agentic AI, RAG architectures, fine-tuning, prompt engineering).

- Understanding of integration patterns for embedding AI into enterprise applications, workflows, and operating models.

- Familiarity with security, governance, compliance, and model monitoring requirements for AI at scale.

Market Ecosystem Knowledge

- Deep understanding of the AI solutions landscape — from enterprise-scale offerings by GSIs and hyperscalers to specialized AI-first products from startups and niche vendors.

- Awareness of key differentiators, commercial models, and partnership strategies across the AI market.

- Ability to evaluate and select the right partner and platform ecosystem based on scalability, speed to value, interoperability, and strategic fit.

- Up-to-date awareness of emerging trends and innovations across Agentic AI, Generative AI, and vertical-specific AI applications.

Sector Expertise (Preferred)

- Healthcare, BFSI, CMT, or Customer Operations — with proven ability to identify EBITDA-linked AI use cases.

Core Skills

- Exceptional structured problem-solving and executive storytelling.

- Commercial acumen with P&L and cash flow understanding.

- High tolerance for ambiguity and a bias for action.

Education

- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Economics, or related field required.

- Master's degree (MBA or MS in AI/Data Science) strongly preferred.

Disclaimer: Firstsource follows a fair, transparent, and merit-based hiring process. We never ask for money at any stage. Beware of fraudulent offers and always verify through our official channels or @firstsource.com email addresses.