AI Solution Engineer

Job Description
Manager - AI Use Case & Solution Mapping
Job Title: Manager - AI Use Case & Solution Mapping
Rank/Level: Manager
Service Line / Function: Technology Consulting - Data & AI
Location: South Africa
Reporting Line: Senior Manager / Technology Consulting Partner - Data & AI (to be confirmed)
Team Size: Matrix collaboration with Senior Managers, Partners, engagement teams, EY global solution teams and technical delivery specialists; direct line responsibility to be confirmed

Brief Description:
EY Technology Consulting South Africa is accelerating its AI capability to help clients convert AI ambition into tangible business value. While strong AI expertise and extensive EY global solutions already exist, local teams need additional capacity to structure client business challenges into clear AI-enabled use cases and map those needs to relevant EY solutions, assets and accelerators.
This Manager role is a hands-on use case and solution mapping position, supporting Senior Managers and Partners in translating client needs into structured AI use cases, solution mappings, value case inputs and pursuit materials. The role is not responsible for building or engineering new AI solutions; it focuses on business analysis, use case development, solution alignment and commercial enablement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support development of AI-enabled use cases aligned to client business challenges, priorities and value drivers.
• Gather and structure client pain points, operating context and opportunity areas through workshops, interviews and engagement analysis.
• Identify and document relevant EY global AI solutions, assets, accelerators and delivery capabilities that may address client needs.
• Develop problem-to-solution mappings, use case summaries, initial value hypotheses and feasibility inputs with support from delivery and technical teams.
• Contribute to AI value cases, business case inputs, proposals, pitch materials and client presentations.
• Work with delivery teams to test solution fit, implementation considerations, dependencies and practical delivery implications.
• Maintain and improve local knowledge of EY AI capabilities, offerings and reusable materials.
• Support Senior Managers and Partners in client ideation sessions, pursuit discussions and internal solution alignment forums.
• Assist in creating reusable use case playbooks, sector packs, workshop materials and solution catalogue content.

Key Deliverables (6-12 months):

• Documented AI use cases and supporting analysis for priority client opportunities and engagements.
• Initial solution-to-problem mappings aligned to EY AI capabilities, global assets and accelerators.
• Inputs into AI value cases, business cases, proposals, presentations and client deliverables.
• Workshop materials, ideation outputs and prioritised use case backlogs for selected accounts or sectors.
• Contribution to a local AI knowledge base, solution catalogue and reusable use case repository.
• Supporting materials that improve partner and engagement team ability to position AI-enabled solutions with clients.

Technical Skills:

• Foundational understanding of AI, analytics, automation, cloud and digital solution landscapes.
• Ability to break down business problems into structured opportunity areas, use cases and solution requirements.
• Exposure to platform-based and pre-built solution delivery models, including cloud, AI, analytics and automation ecosystems.
• Strong business analysis, problem-structuring, process understanding and documentation capability.
• Ability to understand conceptual solution architectures and delivery considerations without acting as a technical architect.
• Working knowledge of industry value drivers, with Financial Services exposure preferred.

Leadership Skills:

• Strong communication, structured thinking and synthesis skills across business and technology audiences.
• Ability to work effectively across Partners, Senior Managers, client stakeholders, delivery teams and global solution teams.
• Commercially aware mindset, with the ability to contribute to proposals, pursuits and client value narratives.
• Proactive learning orientation and willingness to build deep awareness of EY AI solutions and capabilities.
• Strong facilitation support for client workshops, ideation sessions and internal solution mapping discussions.
• Collaborative working style with attention to quality, pace and practical client outcomes.

Minimum Requirements:

• 5-8 years of experience in consulting, technology, transformation, business analysis or digital change roles.
• Exposure to AI, analytics, automation, cloud or digital transformation initiatives.
• Experience contributing to client engagements, proposals, workshops or solution development activities.
• Demonstrated ability to structure ambiguous business problems and convert them into clear analysis, options and recommendations.
• Ability to work with both business and technical stakeholders to test solution alignment and delivery feasibility.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including development of client-ready materials.

Preferred Requirements:

• Experience in use case development, design thinking, process analysis, value case development or pursuit support.
• Exposure to AI-enabled business solutions, analytics products, automation tools, cloud platforms or enterprise technology solutions.
• Experience working with global delivery teams, solution catalogues, accelerators or reusable consulting assets.
• Consulting experience in a Big Four, systems integrator, specialist digital advisory or technology transformation environment.

Stakeholders (Internal/External):

• External: Client business stakeholders, process owners, functional leads, product owners, digital and innovation teams, data and analytics leaders, technology stakeholders, vendors and platform partners where relevant.
• Internal: EY Data & AI Partners and Directors, Senior Managers, Technology Consulting leadership, engagement teams, commercial and pursuit teams, EY global solution and asset teams, delivery teams, risk and quality teams, Talent and local practice leadership.

Key Challenges:

• Translating broad AI interest into clearly scoped, prioritised and value-led use cases.
• Navigating a large EY solution ecosystem to identify relevant assets without duplicating existing capability.
• Balancing speed of commercial response with appropriate feasibility, risk and delivery input from technical teams.
• Producing structured pursuit and workshop materials while helping build a reusable local knowledge base.
• Managing stakeholder expectations where AI opportunities are exploratory, ambiguous or not yet linked to measurable value.

Strategic Importance:

• Creates the execution engine for EY Technology Consulting South Africa AI commercialisation and solution mapping capability.
• Helps Partners and Senior Managers convert AI conversations into specific, solution-led propositions and client opportunities.
• Increases local reuse of EY global AI IP, assets and accelerators instead of creating unnecessary bespoke solutions.
• Improves quality and pace of AI-led proposals, workshops and pursuit materials.
• Builds a feeder pipeline into senior AI value, solution strategy and commercial enablement roles.