Director Consulting (Value Lead) - Data, AI & Software

This is a senior consulting leadership role that runs important engagements end-to-end across the full breadth of our work across data platforms, AI and end-to-end software builds, not data alone earning client trust through judgement and delivery, and helping shape and win what comes next. What This Role Actually Involves Owning the strategic direction and value narrative of engagements from discovery through delivery and adoption Building and sustaining strong client relationships through ongoing engagement, credibility, and demonstrated impact Working in close partnership with a Client Principal, who owns the overarching client relationship, while leading the day-to-day direction and execution of engagements Operating as part of a senior engagement leadership triad alongside Technology and Commercial leads Providing senior oversight to Delivery Leads on larger or more complex engagements Maintaining continuous, high-quality dialogue with clients throughout delivery, ensuring alignment, confidence, and momentum Leading executive discovery, alignment, and decision-making workshops Defining, drafting, and presenting strategies, approaches, and recommendations for clients Translating business intent into clear priorities and guidance for technical and delivery teams Actively driving non-technical success factors, including change management, adoption, and stakeholder alignment Contributing actively to pre-sales and sales processes, including understanding client needs, shaping solutions, and supporting the development of compelling proposals Supporting client-shaping conversations that progress opportunities from early signal through to secured engagements Identifying opportunities to grow engagements, expand scope, and shape follow-on work Developing, refining, and part-owning specific go-to-market propositions, offers, and methods, and applying them consistently across client engagements This is not a delivery management or traditional product role. It is a senior consulting role focused on value, alignment, relationship strength, and sustained impact. Ideal Candidate Profile Senior consultant, senior manager, or director experience in a consultancy environment Proven leadership of complex engagements across data, AI and end-to-end software builds (not data projects alone) Direct experience working with senior executives and business stakeholders About Simple Machines Simple Machines is a global, independent technology consultancy operating across Sydney, New Zealand, London, Poland and San Francisco. We design and build modern data platforms, intelligent systems, and bespoke software at the intersection of Data Engineering, Software Engineering and AI. We help enterprises, scale-ups, and government turn complex, high-value data into products, platforms, and decisions that drive real impact. We don't do generic. We build things that matter - We engineer data to life™.