CT AI Digital Innovation Assistant Director

Job description

At EY, you’ll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are, with the global scale, support, inclusive culture and technology to become the best version of you. And we’re counting on your unique voice and perspective to help EY become even better, too. Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, and a better working world for all. Client Technology Procurement Assistant Director Client Technology | AI, Digital Solutions and Innovation The opportunity At EY, you'll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are, with the global scale, support, inclusive culture and technology to become the best version of you. We are counting on your unique voice and perspective to help EY become even better, too. Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, and a better working world for all. The purpose of the global EY organization is to Build a Better Working World. Supply Chain Services (SCS), within EY Business Enablement, is a global team supporting the EY organization across the globe. Global Procurement drives value creation from sourcing through contract lifecycle management, delivers exceptional stakeholder experiences and strengthens supplier relationships and resilience. Client Technology Procurement supports key programmes and solutions globally in partnership with EY Technology, Service Lines, and Business Enablement stakeholders. This role has a particular focus on procurement support for AI, Digital Solutions and Innovation programmes requested by Client Technology stakeholders, helping teams move from emerging ideas and pilots through to scalable, commercially robust solutions. Why this role matters Technology Procurement supports complex, high-value technology requirements across EY. The Technology Procurement Assistant Director will provide senior commercial leadership for Client Technology initiatives, with a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence, generative AI, digital platforms, data-enabled solutions and innovation-led programmes. The role will help stakeholders shape sourcing strategies, engage fast-moving technology markets, select appropriate suppliers and commercial models, and manage the commercial, regulatory, legal, privacy, information security and operational risks associated with new and emerging technologies. Your key responsibilities Lead end-to-end sourcing strategies and complex commercial negotiations for AI, Digital Solutions and Innovation programmes across global and regional engagements. Act as a trusted procurement advisor to senior Client Technology stakeholders, helping translate programme objectives, use cases and technology roadmaps into clear sourcing and commercial strategies. Support procurement of generative AI and machine learning solutions, AI-enabled software, digital platforms, data and analytics services, cloud-based solutions, APIs, development tools, professional services and emerging technology capabilities. Evaluate and negotiate commercial models relevant to AI and digital solutions, including enterprise licences, subscriptions, consumption and usage-based pricing, token or compute-based models, pilots, proofs of concept, outcome-based arrangements and professional services. Lead supplier market engagement, competitive sourcing, due diligence and commercial evaluation across established technology providers, hyperscalers, specialist AI vendors, digital solution providers and innovation partners. Partner closely with Legal, Risk Management, Information Security, Data Privacy, Independence and other control functions to address intellectual property, data usage, model training, confidentiality, security, regulatory, responsible AI and third-party risk considerations. Ensure sourcing strategies balance speed to innovation with commercial discipline, scalability, interoperability, cost transparency, supplier resilience and sustainable long-term value. Lead and oversee the full sourcing and contract lifecycle, including supplier selection, onboarding, contracting, pilots, renewals, licence and consumption management, performance review and exit planning. Identify, validate, track and report financial and non-financial benefits, including savings, cost avoidance, innovation value, accelerated time to market and improved stakeholder outcomes. Build and manage a forward-looking deal pipeline for Client Technology, aligning stakeholder demand with procurement capacity, priorities, dependencies and delivery milestones. Provide leadership, coaching and thought leadership to colleagues, sharing market insight and strengthening procurement capability across AI, digital and innovation categories. Strengthen procurement processes, playbooks, systems, management information and reporting to improve efficiency, governance, transparency and stakeholder experience. Core competencies: AI, Digital Solutions and Innovation AI and emerging technology market knowledge: Demonstrable understanding of the AI ecosystem, including generative AI, foundation models, machine learning, AI platforms, model providers, infrastructure and specialist solution providers, together with the commercial and supplier dynamics shaping the market. Digital solution procurement: Proven experience sourcing and negotiating digital platforms, cloud-native applications, SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, data and analytics solutions, APIs, digital engineering services and technology-enabled professional services. AI commercial model expertise: Ability to assess and negotiate subscription, consumption, token, compute, user, enterprise, outcome-based and hybrid pricing models, with clear mechanisms for demand management, cost control, benchmarking and value realization. AI and data contracting: Hands-on procurement experience addressing data ownership and permitted use, model training and input/output rights, intellectual property, confidentiality, indemnities, warranties, audit rights, service levels, transparency, portability and termination support. Responsible AI and technology risk awareness: Working knowledge of the procurement implications of responsible AI, privacy, information security, regulatory compliance, bias, explainability, data residency, model governance and third-party risk, with the ability to engage relevant specialists. Innovation sourcing: Experience designing commercially controlled pilots, proofs of concept and phased engagements, including success criteria, scale-up gates, committed spend protections, exit rights and transition into production arrangements. Market intelligence and supplier evaluation: Ability to assess fast-evolving markets and compare established providers with start-ups and niche vendors, including capability, financial viability, scalability, roadmap, ecosystem fit, differentiation and supplier resilience. Technology and architecture fluency: Sufficient technical literacy to engage credibly with product, engineering, architecture, data, security and innovation stakeholders and convert technical requirements into effective procurement and negotiation strategies. Strategic stakeholder leadership: Strong influencing and advisory capability with senior stakeholders, with the confidence to challenge constructively, manage ambiguity, shape requirements and maintain momentum across complex cross-functional programmes. Commercial judgement and value focus: Ability to connect sourcing decisions to business outcomes, total cost of ownership, adoption, scalability, operational impact and measurable value rather than focusing only on initial price. Skills and attributes for success Strong senior stakeholder management experience, with the ability to co-develop strategies, shape requirements and set and manage expectations. A strong track record of negotiating complex contracts and service agreements for large global organizations. Ability to operate effectively across commercial, technical, legal, risk, privacy, security and operational stakeholder groups. Excellent influencing, networking and communication skills in a cross-functional, global and virtual environment. Ability to explain complex technology and commercial issues clearly and support confident, evidence-based decisions. Excellent time and portfolio management, including the ability to independently prioritize concurrent high-value and high-risk initiatives. A positive, pragmatic and curious mindset, with the confidence to work at pace in areas where technology, requirements and markets continue to evolve. A clear focus on stakeholder needs, quality of service and successful business outcomes. To qualify for the role, you must have A minimum of 10 years' technology procurement, strategic sourcing or relevant commercial experience. Clearly demonstrable procurement experience supporting AI, Digital Solutions and/or Innovation programmes, including direct responsibility for sourcing strategy, supplier evaluation and commercial negotiation. Experience negotiating purchases of generative AI or machine learning solutions, cloud-based platforms, software licenses, data or analytics solutions and technology professional services for complex global organizations. Practical experience of AI and digital commercial models and the ability to demonstrate how contractual and pricing structures were shaped to manage consumption, scalability, risk and value. A thorough understanding of the commercial, regulatory, legal, intellectual property, privacy, information security and responsible AI considerations associated with purchasing emerging technology. Experience leading complex cross-functional sourcing initiatives involving senior business, technology and control-function stakeholders. Strong working knowledge of relevant technology suppliers, market developments and industry trends across AI, cloud, data, digital platforms and technology services. Strong written and spoken English communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively, transparently and promptly across multiple channels in a global environment. The ability to independently manage priorities, deliver at pace and maintain strong commercial governance. Ideally, you will also have Experience supporting Client Technology, product, engineering, innovation or digital transformation teams. In-depth experience negotiating multiple technology delivery models, including SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, AI as a Service, managed services and professional services. Experience with hyperscalers, foundation-model providers, AI infrastructure or compute providers, digital engineering firms, specialist AI vendors and technology start-ups. Experience developing category strategies, market landscapes, procurement playbooks or commercial frameworks for AI, digital or emerging technology. Knowledge of software asset management, cloud financial management, AI consumption governance or technology cost optimization. A recognized procurement, commercial or supply management qualification, such as CIPS, CPSM or equivalent. What we offer Continuous learning: Develop the mindset and skills to navigate whatever comes next. Success as defined by you: Receive the tools and flexibility to make a meaningful impact, your way. Transformative leadership: Gain the insights, coaching and confidence to be the leader the world needs. Diverse and inclusive culture: Be embraced for who you are and empowered to use your voice to help others find theirs. EY | Building a better working world EY exists to build a better working world, helping to create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets. Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate. Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today.