AI SME, Telco Consulting (Associate Director) in London
AI SME, Telco Consulting (Associate Director)

AI SME, Telco Consulting (Associate Director) in London

London Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Go Premium
C

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead AI initiatives and drive cultural transformation in a dynamic telco environment.
  • Company: Join Cognizant, a top global tech consulting firm with a vibrant culture.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Why this job: Be at the forefront of AI innovation and make a real impact in telecommunications.
  • Qualifications: Experience in AI/ML, strong communication skills, and a passion for technology.
  • Other info: Collaborative team atmosphere with a focus on inclusivity and career development.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over‐50s age inclusive jobs board.

The Company

Cognizant (NASDAQ:CTSH) is a leading provider of information technology, consulting, and business process outsourcing services, dedicated to helping the world's leading companies build stronger businesses. Headquartered in Teaneck, New Jersey (U.S.), Cognizant has over 350,000 employees as of January 2024. Cognizant is a member of the NASDAQ-100, the S&P 500, the Forbes Global 1000, and the Fortune 500 and is ranked among the top performing and fastest growing companies in the world.

Cognizant Consulting

At Cognizant, our consultants orchestrate the capabilities to truly change the game across strategy, design, technology and industry/functional knowledge to deliver insight at speed and solutions at scale. Our consulting services elevate the unique abilities and business aspirations of customers and employees and build relationships based on trust and value.

Role Overview

We are looking for an inspiring AI + Data Evangelist to drive awareness, adoption, and cultural transformation around AI, Generative AI, Agentic AI, and data‐driven decisioning across the organisation. The role acts as a bridge between business teams, technology teams, and senior leadership to articulate AI value, identify transformation opportunities, shape AI‐enabled use cases, and promote best practices across BSS, OSS, Network, CX, and Operations. The ideal candidate is a storyteller, strategist, and hands‐on innovator who can simplify complex AI concepts, influence cross‐functional teams, and guide the enterprise toward becoming an AI‐first telco.

Key Responsibilities

  • AI Evangelism & Thought Leadership
    • Champion the vision for AI, GenAI, and Agentic AI adoption across business units and technology domains.
    • Deliver inspirational talks, demos, PoVs, and workshops to accelerate organisational AI literacy.
    • Shape the narrative of how AI will transform BSS, OSS, network operations, customer experience, field operations, and enterprise processes.
    • Act as an internal influencer to build a culture of experimentation and data‐driven innovation.
  • Opportunity Identification & Use Case Design
    • Work with stakeholders to identify high‐impact AI/GenAI opportunities aligned with business priorities.
    • Create use case backlogs, business value assessments, and prioritisation frameworks.
    • Design AI use cases across domains such as:
    • Customer service (NLP, chatbots, agent assist)
    • BSS (automated journeys, intelligent CRM, catalogue automation)
    • OSS/Network (predictive assurance, autonomous ops, network slicing intelligence)
    • Enterprise functions (HR, Finance, supply chain insights)
  • Collaborate with product managers and enterprise architects to shape MVPs and pilot roadmaps.
  • Data Strategy & Enablement
    • Advocate for strong data governance, data quality, cataloguing, and democratization.
    • Promote the use of modern data platforms, streaming analytics, vector search, and LLM‐ready architectures.
    • Translate analytics and AI potential into business value narratives for leadership teams.
    • Support data literacy programs across non‐technical teams.
  • Experimentation & Innovation
    • Lead PoCs, showcase emerging AI frameworks, and conduct hands‐on demos.
    • Stay updated on telco AI innovations - digital twins, autonomous networks, intelligent assurance, RAG, multi‐agent systems.
    • Partner with engineering teams, cloud teams, and vendors to assess tools and capabilities for scaling.
  • Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
    • Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on AI strategy and industry trends.
    • Work closely with BUs, architecture, and product teams to align AI initiatives with enterprise roadmaps.
    • Present complex AI concepts in simplified, business‐friendly language.
    • Prepare executive thought leadership papers, showcases, roadmaps, and storytelling collateral.
  • Skills & Experience Requirements

    • Technical Competencies
      • Strong understanding of telecom ecosystems (BSS/OSS/Network/CX/Operations).
      • Solid hands‐on experience or strong working knowledge of:
      • AI/ML pipelines, MLOps/LLMOps
      • Generative AI (LLMs, RAG, embeddings, prompt engineering)
      • Agentic AI frameworks and multi‐agent orchestration
      • Data platforms, big data tools, streaming analytics
      • APIs, cloud services (AWS/Azure/GCP)
    • Ability to conceptualize and communicate architecture patterns (AI‐driven ops, vector databases, knowledge graphs, digital twins).
  • Business & Leadership Competencies
    • Excellent storytelling, communication, and presentation skills.
    • Ability to influence executive stakeholders and create buy‐in.
    • Strong business acumen around digital transformation, cost optimisation, and productisation of AI.
    • Experience in leading workshops, hackathons, or innovation labs.
    • Ability to mentor teams and drive organisational data literacy.
  • Preferred Qualifications

    • Certifications in AI/ML, GenAI, Cloud, or Data Engineering.
    • Experience working with major telecom operators or technology vendors.
    • Knowledge of TM Forum frameworks (Open APIs, eTOM, ODA).

    Why This Role Matters

    This role is central to accelerating the organisation's journey toward becoming a data‐powered, AI‐native, autonomous telco. As the AI & Data Evangelist, you will be the storyteller, catalyst, and culture‐builder who connects strategy to execution and transforms how teams work, make decisions, and innovate.

    The Cognizant community

    We are a high caliber team who appreciate and support one another. Our people uphold an energetic, collaborative and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. Cognizant is a global community with more than 300,000 associates around the world. We don't just dream of a better way - we make it happen. We take care of our people, clients, company, communities and climate by doing what's right. We foster an innovative environment where you can build the career path that's right for you.

    About us

    Cognizant is one of the world's leading professional services companies, transforming clients' business, operating, and technology models for the digital era. Our unique industry‐based, consultative approach helps clients envision, build, and run more innovative and efficient businesses. Headquartered in the U.S., Cognizant (a member of the NASDAQ-100 and one of Forbes World's Best Employers 2025) is consistently listed among the most admired companies in the world. Learn how Cognizant helps clients lead with digital at www.cognizant.com.

    Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

    AI SME, Telco Consulting (Associate Director) in London employer: Cognizant Technology Solutions

    Cognizant is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, where innovation thrives and employees are empowered to grow their careers. With a strong commitment to professional development, the company offers numerous opportunities for mentorship and skill enhancement, particularly in the rapidly evolving fields of AI and telecommunications. Located in a dynamic environment, Cognizant not only prioritises employee well-being but also champions a culture of collaboration and experimentation, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
    C

    Contact Detail:

    Cognizant Technology Solutions Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land AI SME, Telco Consulting (Associate Director) in London

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, webinars, or even local meetups. The more you engage, the better your chances of landing that dream job.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or a personal website showcasing your projects and achievements. This is your chance to shine and demonstrate what you can bring to the table.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Prepare for interviews like it’s game day! Research the company, understand their values, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Confidence is key!

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.

    We think you need these skills to ace AI SME, Telco Consulting (Associate Director) in London

    AI Evangelism
    Data-Driven Decision Making
    Generative AI
    Agentic AI
    NLP
    Chatbots
    Predictive Assurance
    Data Governance
    Streaming Analytics
    Cloud Services (AWS/Azure/GCP)
    Storytelling
    Stakeholder Engagement
    Business Acumen
    Telecom Ecosystems Knowledge
    MLOps

    Some tips for your application 🫔

    Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the AI SME role. Highlight your experience with AI, data strategies, and telecom ecosystems. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!

    Showcase Your Storytelling Skills: Since this role is all about influencing and communicating complex ideas, don’t forget to demonstrate your storytelling abilities. Use clear examples in your application that show how you've simplified complex concepts in the past.

    Highlight Relevant Experience: Be sure to include any hands-on experience with AI/ML pipelines, generative AI, or telecom operations. We love seeing candidates who can bring practical knowledge to the table, so make it stand out!

    Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy!

    How to prepare for a job interview at Cognizant Technology Solutions

    ✨Know Your AI Stuff

    Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in AI, especially in the telco space. Understand concepts like Generative AI and Agentic AI, and be ready to discuss how they can transform business operations. This will show that you're not just familiar with the tech but also passionate about its potential.

    ✨Tell a Compelling Story

    As an AI Evangelist, storytelling is key. Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated complex AI concepts in a simple way. Think about times when your insights led to real change or innovation, and be ready to share these stories during the interview.

    ✨Engage with Stakeholders

    Demonstrate your ability to influence and engage with various stakeholders. Be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated with cross-functional teams in the past. Highlight your experience in leading workshops or hackathons, as this shows your hands-on approach and leadership skills.

    ✨Showcase Your Data Savvy

    Since data is at the heart of AI, be ready to talk about your experience with data governance and analytics. Discuss any projects where you’ve promoted data literacy or worked with data platforms. This will illustrate your understanding of how data drives AI success in a telco environment.

    AI SME, Telco Consulting (Associate Director) in London
    Cognizant Technology Solutions
    Location: London
    Go Premium

    Land your dream job quicker with Premium

    You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
    Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
    Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
    1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
    Go Premium

    Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

    C
    Similar positions in other companies
    UK’s top job board for Gen Z
    discover-jobs-cta
    Discover now
    >