Senior Director, AI & Digital Transformation

About Gagen MacDonald

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Chicago, Gagen MacDonald, an APCO company, is a global advisory and advocacy communications consultancy. Gagen MacDonald is a woman-owned, people-focused transformation consulting firm and trusted partner to the C-suite. We are dedicated to accelerating human-centered transformation and enhancing business performance by connecting strategy, structure and culture to purpose, brand and reputation. For more than 25 years, we have been working with organizations to navigate the human struggle of change. By changing the employee experience through culture, communication, leadership and design, we unite employees across all levels of an organization around a single vision, working from the inside out. At Gagen, we are committed to delivering on our firm’s core value, “Our cause is our clients’ success,” to help organizations build a healthier business for a better world. To do that, we need highly talented people for whom client service and high-quality change communication are a priority.

About The Role

Are you a visionary? Someone who explores the intersection between transformation and technology? Do you have a passion for leading clients through the unknown while pushing the boundaries of what is possible as a leader? Then we have the opportunity for you! Gagen is seeking a Sr. Director, AI & Digital Transformation to serve as a senior counselor and a primary point of contact with clients, while helping the firm grow by generating new business opportunities, and lead a cross-functional team of talented consultants. This is a senior level consulting role for someone who has passion for AI and Digital Transformation readiness and adoption strategies that help organizations navigate the complex balance between technical implementation and the human struggle of change. This role is responsible for leading adoption of AI and digital transformation strategies (helping companies integrate AI and other digital technologies to enhance business operations and modernize processes through associated change management and organizational effectiveness solutions), business development and client management. The ideal candidate will have a strong background advising IT and technology executives, experience with enterprise technology adoption, and a proven ability to bridge operational change with technical execution. This person will also help shape go-to-market strategies and represent Gagen MacDonald in high-stakes client engagements. The job can be based at one of our U.S. offices (Chicago, NYC, DC, Raleigh) or a home office, and it requires some travel to client sites and company meetings.

What You'll Do

Join us and make a positive impact with some of the world's most admired brands using your expertise in AI tools, digital transformation, internal communications, change management and employee engagement.

Firm Strategy & Business Development

• Develop and own Gagen's AI Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy to drive revenue-generating AI offerings in partnership with client leads.
• Build a comprehensive roadmap and strategy for AI readiness, implementation and adoption aligned with the firm’s business objectives and client needs.
• Lead the identification, prioritization and execution of AI initiatives across service lines, including client solutions, internal operations and new product development.
• Drive business development, prospecting and sales efforts, targeting large enterprise clients.
• Contribute to the firm's growth by generating new business and leading the development of proposals and RFP responses for multi-disciplinary engagements with new clients.
• Monitor and report on the performance and impact of AI initiatives, adjusting strategy as needed to maximize value and mitigate risk.

Client Delivery

• Monitor and analyze broader trends and drivers of change impacting AI adoption and organizational effectiveness—such as technological innovation, demographic shifts, regulatory developments, and evolving consumer values—to enable our clients to anticipate shifts in their operating environment and shape transformation strategies and roadmaps to position and capitalize on new opportunities or mitigate emerging risks.
• Advise our clients on AI change and communications strategies and solutions to translate complex AI concepts into compelling narratives the drive AI adoption, and ensure that our offerings remain at the forefront of industry innovation.
• As Senior Director of AI & Digital Transformation, enable clients to set their strategic direction for AI transformation and integration, and ensure that AI initiatives are value drivers for the organization and encompass change readiness plans.
• Advise C-level executives on the strategic implications and potential value of AI implementation as it relates to the employee experience, talent retention and growth, reputational risk and the trends impacting these areas.
• Drive readiness and adoption strategies for end-to-end delivery of large, complex AI projects, including defining business requirements, developing solutions, implementing readiness and adoption plans, changing communication strategy and managing project execution.
• Lead project and/or account management activities to ensure execution on client requirements, managing teams on multiple projects and/or multi-disciplinary workstreams for projects of high complexity, size, and/or scale.
• Responsible for revenue and sales targets at the senior director level.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in client meetings, able to “speak technology” and communicate effectively with CIOs, CTOs and operational leaders.
• Represent the firm in industry forums, conferences and with clients as a thought leader in AI and digital transformation; be an outspoken advocate for Gagen’s human-centric approach to AI and digital transformation.
• Use your deep knowledge and mastery of technical skills to be regarded as an expert in your discipline by the client and your colleagues.
• Build and manage a cross-functional team of AI and digital transformation consultants dedicated to adoption, change readiness and organizational effectiveness.
• Foster a culture of innovation, continuous learning and responsible AI adoption throughout the organization.
• As part of the senior leadership team, collaborate with other leaders to integrate AI into the firm’s overall strategic plan.

Marketing and Thought Leadership

• Serve as a subject matter expert in client meetings, able to “speak technology” and communicate effectively with CIOs, CTOs and operational leaders.
• Represent the firm in industry forums, conferences and with clients as a thought leader in AI and digital transformation; be an outspoken advocate for Gagen’s human-centric approach to AI and digital transformation.
• Use your deep knowledge and mastery of technical skills to be regarded as an expert in your discipline by the client and your colleagues.
• Build and manage a cross-functional team of AI and digital transformation consultants dedicated to adoption, change readiness and organizational effectiveness.
• Foster a culture of innovation, continuous learning and responsible AI adoption throughout the organization.
• As part of the senior leadership team, collaborate with other leaders to integrate AI into the firm’s overall strategic plan.

Firm Leadership

• Build and manage a cross-functional team of AI and digital transformation consultants dedicated to adoption, change readiness and organizational effectiveness.
• Foster a culture of innovation, continuous learning and responsible AI adoption throughout the organization.
• As part of the senior leadership team, collaborate with other leaders to integrate AI into the firm’s overall strategic plan.

Key Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in change management and communications, digital transformation, or a related field, with direct experience supporting change in technology implementations.
• Demonstrated experience leading AI-driven change initiatives in large organizations.
• Deep familiarity with Microsoft enterprise products and AI tools (Co-pilot, SharePoint, Power Apps, etc.); hands-on experience preferred.
• Strong business development and client relationship management skills.
• Exceptional ability to communicate complex AI concepts to non-technical audiences, clients, and executive leadership.
• Ability to build consensus and drive adoption across diverse teams.
• Familiarity with AI governance frameworks, regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR, EU AI Act), and best practices for responsible AI deployment.
• Experience developing and implementing responsible AI policies in a corporate setting.
• Experience working in or with communications/change management teams is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to deliver results in fast-paced, high-stakes environments.
• At least 5+ years of corporate, agency or consulting experience in strategic communication roles with a focus on technology and digital transformation.
• Experience consulting with global Fortune 500 corporations is preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, organizational effectiveness, technology, or related field; or equivalent combination of education, experience and training. Advanced degree a plus.
• Experience working both independently and collaboratively while partnering across organizational functions.
• Experience building relationships and business by identifying and pursuing new opportunities with clients.
• Experience navigating large, complex organizations working with the C-suite and senior leaders including technology professionals.
• A large professional network that can be leveraged to grow Gagen’s market-share.

Compensation Range

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the anticipated starting pay for new hires for this position is between $215,000-$260,000 per year. Full-time employees are also eligible for performance-based bonuses and benefits. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as a final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience, education, location, and shift.

Gagen MacDonald Values

As a woman-owned business, we believe strongly in creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. Gagen MacDonald’s company culture exemplifies our Beliefs and Values. Core Value:Our cause is our client’s success Supporting Values

• We act with integrity, humility and kindness in everything we do.
• We are inspired by courage, passion and a sense of fun.
• We celebrate individuals and their contributions to the vitality of our firm.
• We build our community upon inclusive and collaborative teams, sustained through individual accountability.

For more information on Gagen MacDonald, visit https://www.gagenmacdonald.com .

Careers at Gagen MacDonald and APCO

With our commitment to recruit, hire, promote and retain people who reflect the diverse communities in which we operate, APCO ensures our teams bring the best possible expertise and diverse perspectives to our clients. We embrace diversity of identity, experience and thought, starting with our values and extending to our behaviors, policies and practices. We aim to create a positive work experience and welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong and can thrive. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, national origin, citizenship, native language, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, religion, age, veteran status, neurodivergence, mental or physical disability, medical history, pregnancy, political belief or affiliation or any other characteristic protected by law. EOE M/F/V/D

About APCO

ABOUT US APCO is a global advisory and advocacy firm helping leading corporations, foundations and governments navigate a complex world and create lasting impact. Founded in 1984, with one woman’s vision and bold action, APCO has grown into an independent, majority women-owned firm of more than 1,200 employees with work spanning 80 markets around the world. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., APCO is comprised of strategic advisers, consultants and creators, working together across borders and functions, to provide services and expertise on financial, competitive, political and societal issues. APCO is a trusted partner to bold purpose-led leaders, lawmakers, government officials, NGOs, the media and other stakeholders in the health, energy, technology, transportation & infrastructure and food & consumer products sectors. For 40 years, the firm has provided public affairs, crisis & reputation, impact, corporate reputation and global solutions services. APCO is renowned for its ability to champion clients’ interests and permission to operate , build their reputation and strengthen their standing. APCO’s integrated approach and team of tenacious and empathic talent create connections and winning strategies that accelerate progress and deepen impact. By bringing diverse people and ideas together, and working beyond traditional boundaries, APCO builds the un/common ground upon which progress is made. Key skills/competency

• AI Strategy
• Digital Transformation
• Change Management
• Client Relationship Management
• Business Development
• Organizational Effectiveness
• Technology Adoption
• Leadership
• Communication Strategy
• Consulting