Digital and AI Advisory Practice Leader

What We're Looking For:

The ideal candidate brings real-world experience applying digital transformation strategies in complex environments. They will be pragmatic and outcomes-focused, helping clients distinguish between opportunities where digital transformation can deliver meaningful impact.

This role will help Michael Baker translate digital ambition into actionable, right-sized strategies that align technology investments with business value, operational readiness, and client mission outcomes. The leader will bring a credible understanding of the applied AI landscape, ideally within infrastructure, transportation, mobility, public agencies, capital programs, and related markets.

In addition to technical depth, this person will help shape Michael Baker’s approach to market research, data partnerships, software and platform evaluations, technology investments, and potential acquisition or teaming opportunities involving data, analytics, and digital tools. They will work closely with Michael Baker’s advisory, technology, operations, and executive leadership teams to guide programmatic decisions that strengthen the firm’s position as a trusted advisor.

This leader will play a key role in building a forward-looking, practical, and commercially effective Digital and Advisory practice that delivers meaningful outcomes for clients and creates scalable growth opportunities for Michael Baker.
 

What This Role Will Encompass:

• Develop an executable business growth plan to scale the digital / AI advisory business
• Oversee and be responsible for growing the digital AI advisory team
• Serve as a senior subject matter expert in digital strategy and technology-enabled infrastructure advisory services
• Advise clients on when, where, and how to apply digital tools to improve program outcomes, operational performance, decision-making, and value realization
• Provide strategic guidance across the full project and program lifecycle, including planning, readiness assessment, business case development, procurement strategy, implementation planning, governance, risk management, and performance measurement
• Support complex infrastructure, transportation, mobility, planning, engineering, and enterprise transformation engagements by evaluating digital delivery options, technology strategies, commercial considerations, and implementation risks
• Lead or support major advisory workstreams, including digital transformation roadmaps, AI readiness assessments, technology modernization strategies, data governance frameworks, platform evaluations, vendor reviews, and implementation planning
• Interface directly with senior client leaders, agency executives, boards, program owners, and internal Michael Baker leadership to shape strategies, clarify priorities, and support informed decision-making
• Prepare high-quality client deliverables, including strategic analyses, executive presentations, business cases, technical memoranda, implementation roadmaps, procurement materials, governance models, and decision frameworks
• Partner with Michael Baker regional and national teams to identify client needs, shape opportunities, support pursuits, and enhance win probabilities for strategically important projects
• Help define repeatable Digital and AI Advisory offerings that can be scaled across markets, geographies, and client types
• Support business development, client engagement, market positioning, and thought leadership related to digital infrastructure, applied AI, transportation technology, data strategy, and emerging technology trends
• Monitor the competitive landscape, including infrastructure technology firms, software vendors, data providers, AI platforms, consultants, and emerging market entrants
• Advise Michael Baker leadership on potential partnerships, platform opportunities, data investments, and strategic initiatives that strengthen the firm's digital advisory capabilities
• Mentor and guide junior and mid-level advisory staff, supporting professional development, technical growth, and delivery excellence
• Represent Michael Baker at industry events, client forums, conferences, and professional organizations to strengthen the firm's external presence in digital and AI advisory services
• Perform other duties as assigned
   

What You Need to Succeed:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and a minimum of 12 years of relevant experience, with specific experience in many of the following areas:
  • Executive owner, enterprise advisor, or owner's representative mindset, with a proven record of owning outcomes, shaping decisions, and driving value realization
  • Senior leadership experience guiding major transformations, technology modernization initiatives, digital programs, AI adoption efforts, or enterprise-level change
  • Ability to set direction and advise senior executives, agency leaders, boards, and peer leaders in complex, high-stakes environments
  • Broad understanding of the infrastructure, transportation, mobility, and digital technology ecosystem, including agencies, owners, consultants, software platforms, data providers, vendors, and emerging competitors
  • Familiarity with mobility analytics, transportation data platforms, digital twins, asset management systems, geospatial technologies, AI/ML applications, automation, and decision-support tools
  • Understanding of how digital tools and AI can influence planning, policy, funding, readiness, design, delivery, operations, maintenance, and long-term infrastructure performance
  • Demonstrated success operating in ambiguous or rapidly evolving environments, with the ability to create clarity, sequence investments, and shape actionable roadmaps
  • Strong commercial acumen, including understanding of financial, contractual, operational, procurement, delivery, and enterprise value drivers in digital and infrastructure programs
  • Experience developing business cases, investment strategies, technology roadmaps, operating models, governance structures, and implementation plans
  • Credible professional network across infrastructure, digital infrastructure, transportation technology, public agencies, technology providers, and adjacent industries
  • Exceptional communication and executive storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex digital, data, and AI concepts into clear, practical, high-impact narratives
  • Executive presence and maturity, with the ability to independently interface with senior decision-makers and represent Michael Baker with credibility
  • Strategic thinker who understands the enterprise and market landscape, identifies growth opportunities, and helps shape differentiated service offerings
  • Strong understanding of consulting and advisory business dynamics, including how to drive margin, differentiate against competitors, build trusted client relationships, and scale repeatable offerings
  • Practical understanding of responsible AI, data governance, privacy, cybersecurity, model risk, procurement considerations, and organizational change management
     

Compensation:   The approximate compensation range for this position is expected to be between $275,000 and $325,000 per year. This compensation range is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation is dependent upon factors such as education, qualifications, experience, skillset, and physical work location.
 

Why Choose Us:

• Medical, dental, vision insurance
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Life, AD&D, short-term, and long-term disability
• Professional and personal development
• Generous paid time off
• Commuter and wellness benefits

Michael Baker International, a leading provider of engineering and consulting services, including design, planning, architectural, environmental, construction and program management, has been solving some of the world’s most complex infrastructure challenges for more than 85 years with a legacy of expertise, experience, innovation and integrity.

Based in Pittsburgh and with over 100 offices nationwide, we partner with clients on everything from roads, bridges, tunnels, mass transit, and airports, to water treatment plants, arctic oil pipelines, environmental restoration and specialized overseas construction. We serve as a trusted adviser to the communities we serve, making them safer, more accessible, more sustainable and more prosperous.

We provide visionary leadership in facilitating transformational change for our clients. Our work delivers differentiating innovations and dedicated experts who challenge the status quo and share a world of diverse experience and an impassioned entrepreneurial spirit. We deliver quality of life.

We Make a Difference.
Michael Baker International is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Michael Baker International provides equal employment opportunity for all persons, in all facets of employment. Michael Baker International maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for any open position for which they feel they are qualified and all will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, familial status, pregnancy or childbirth, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, or membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or any other legally protected status.

EEO is the Law. Applicants to and employees of Michael Baker International are protected under Federal law from discrimination.
*It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. _*There is no current application deadline. Michael Baker will continue to accept applications on an ongoing basis until the position is filled or no longer needed.
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