Director - Sales & Pre-Sales Leader - AI Transformation (UK & Ireland) - Permanent

Director – Sales & Pre-Sales Leader, AI Transformation (UK & Ireland)

At EY, you’ll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are, with the global support, scale, and technology to become your best. We’re counting on your perspective to help EY become even better, too. Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, while building a better working world for all.

About the Role

We are seeking a Director to lead sales and pre-sales for AI-driven transformation deals across sectors in the UK & Ireland. This is a senior leadership position focused on shaping complex, high-value AI engagements from conception through to deal closure. The role sits at the intersection of technology and business, requiring hands-on client engagement and the ability to craft innovative solutions that deliver transformative outcomes.

As the Sales & Pre-Sales Leader for AI Transformation, you will spearhead EY’s growth in AI consulting by working with cross-functional teams and alliance partners to identify client needs and translate them into compelling proposals and roadmaps. A key aspect of the role is leveraging EY’s strategic investments in AI platforms and reusable “agent” IP to create scalable solutions for clients. You will also champion innovative commercial models– moving beyond traditional time-and-materials – to structure deals that are outcome-focused and value-driven. In this role, you will lead a small team of solution architects/pre-sales consultants and collaborate closely with senior leadership to ensure our offerings align with EY’s strategic themes of platform monetization, reusability of AI assets, and new growth models.

Key Responsibilities

• Client Engagement & Opportunity Shaping: Engage hands-on with senior client stakeholders (C-suite and functional leaders) to understand business challenges and objectives. Shape and visualize how AI solutions (e.g. advanced analytics, machine learning, generative AI) can drive tangible business outcomes, and act as a trusted advisor throughout the sales cycle.
• Deal Pursuit Leadership: Lead the end-to-end pre-sales process for major deals – including opportunity qualification, solution ideation, RFP/RFI response, proposal development, and client presentations/demos. Coordinate internal teams to design tailored solutions and clearly articulate EY’s value proposition, ultimately negotiating and closing multi-million-pound consulting engagements.
• Client Relationship Building: Develop long-term client relationships beyond individual transactions. Lay the groundwork for follow-on projects and expanded engagements by ensuring high client satisfaction during the pre-sales process and by demonstrating EY’s commitment to delivering results.
• Solution Innovation using EY Assets: Leverage EY’s proprietary platforms, frameworks, and AI accelerators (for example, the EY.ai platform and pre-built AI agents) in crafting solutions. Drive the monetization of EY’s technology and IP by packaging reusable components into engagements, ensuring clients benefit from proven assets and EY differentiates itself with scalable, repeatable solutions.
• Innovative Commercial Models: Collaborate with pricing teams to pioneer and promote deal structures that decouple revenue from hours worked. This includes outcome-based, subscription or managed service models where appropriate – aligning pricing with delivered value and leveraging platform-based offerings, in line with EY’s strategic push toward non-time-and-materials business models.
• Thought Leadership & Competitive Insight: Stay at the forefront of emerging AI trends, market developments, and competitor offerings. Use this insight to continually refine our approach, contribute to thought leadership (e.g. POVs, marketing content), and ensure EY’s AI transformation offerings remain best-in-class in addressing client needs.
• Team Leadership and Coaching: Build, lead, and mentor a small high-performing pre-sales team (solution architects and consultants). Provide direction and coaching to team members on developing solution narratives, financial models, and demonstrations. Foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the team.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate closely with sector teams, delivery teams, and global alliance partners (e.g. leading cloud and AI technology providers) to bring the best of EY to clients. Ensure that industry insights and technical expertise are integrated into proposals, and that we present a unified, cohesive team to the client.

Skills and Experience

To qualify for the role, you must have:

• Proven Sales Experience: Approximately 12+ years of professional experience, with significant focus on consultative selling, business development or pre-sales for complex technology or transformation solutions. A track record of leading and closing large-scale engagements (including multi-year or multi-million £ consulting deals) in the technology/AI space is essential.
• Strategic Advisory & Industry Knowledge: Deep understanding of AI technologies (machine learning, data analytics, cloud platforms, generative AI, etc.) and their business applications. Able to credibly advise on AI strategy and articulate use cases across multiple industries. Breadth of cross-sector exposure – for example, experience with clients in sectors such as financial services, healthcare, retail, energy, telecoms, or the public sector – is highly valued.
• Solution Shaping & Execution: Hands-on experience in shaping end-to-end solutions that blend strategy, technology, and operational change. Comfortable developing business cases, ROI analysis, and roadmaps for transformation. Prior background in a top-tier consulting or tech consulting firm (or similar environment) where you have led complex solutioning efforts will be an advantage.
• Leadership & Team Management: Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire teams. Experience managing small teams or mentoring professionals in a project or sales context. Capable of coordinating multi-disciplinary teams under tight timelines, and skilled in guiding people to achieve shared goals.
• Exceptional Communication Skills: Excellent presentation, storytelling, and proposal-writing skills. Able to engage and influence C-suite stakeholders, adjusting your communication style to both technical and non-technical audiences. Strong negotiation skills and the ability to instil confidence in clients through expertise and empathy.
• Results-Driven & Entrepreneurial Mindset: A self-starter who thrives on setting and achieving ambitious targets. Proven ability to navigate ambiguity, think big in envisioning solutions, and also roll up your sleeves to get things done. High level of resilience and adaptability in a fast-changing environment.

What we offer

We offer a competitive remuneration package where you’ll be rewarded for your individual and team performance. Our comprehensive Total Rewards package includes support for flexible working and career development, and with MyReward you can select benefits that suit your needs, covering holidays, health and well-being, insurance, savings, and a wide range of discounts, offers and promotions. Plus, we offer:

• Continuous learning: You’ll develop the mindset and skills to navigate whatever comes next.
• Success as defined by you: We’ll provide the tools and flexibility, so you can make a meaningful impact, your way.
• Transformative leadership: We’ll give you the insights, coaching and confidence to be the leader the world needs.
• Diverse and inclusive culture: You’ll be embraced for who you are and empowered to use your voice to help others find theirs.

Please note

Prior to finalizing your application, you will be asked to provide personal information across several dimensions of diversity and inclusiveness. The information you provide is kept entirely confidential and will not be used to evaluate your candidacy. We collect this data to help us analyse our recruitment process holistically and implement actions that promote diversity and inclusiveness. While optional, we encourage you to provide this information to hold us accountable towards our goal of building a better working world. Read more about our commitment to diversity & inclusiveness here. We ask because it matters!

If you can demonstrate that you meet the criteria above, please contact us as soon as possible.

Shape your future with confidence.

Apply now.