Ai Director Jobs in Park Ridge, IL (NOW HIRING)

Description

Company Overview: 

When it comes to IT solution providers, there are a lot of choices. But when it comes to providers with innovative and differentiating end-to-end service offerings, there’s really only one: Zones – First Choice for IT.TM

Zones is a Global Solution Provider of end-to-end IT solutions with an unmatched supply chain. Positioned to be the IT partner you need, Zones, a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) in business for over 35 years, specializes in Digital Workplace, Cloud & Data Center, Networking, Security, and Managed/Professional/Staffing services. Operating in more than 120 countries, leveraging a robust portfolio, and utilizing the highest certification levels from key partners, including Microsoft, Apple, Cisco, Lenovo, Adobe, and more, Zones has mastered the science of building digital infrastructures that change the way business does business, ensuring whatever they need, they can Consider IT Done. Follow Zones, LLC on Twitter @Zones, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Position Overview: 

In this role, you will partner closely with the Presales Leadership Team to support the growth, execution, and operational success of a newly formed AI Solutions Practice. The Practice Director serves as a senior practice leader and active technical leader responsible for developing and leading Practice Architects, enabling sales and technical teams, supporting go-to-market initiatives, architecting frameworks and designs, and helping scale solution offerings that drive customer and business outcomes. This role is designed to integrate with multiple practice areas, including Cloud & Data Center, Networking, Security, Digital Workplace, and future technology practices.

What you’ll do as the Practice Director: 

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable the individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Partner with Presales Leadership to support the strategic vision, priorities, and go-to-market initiatives for the AI solutions practice area.
• Translate practice priorities into actionable programs, sales motions, enablement plans, and operational objectives that support business growth.
• Player/coach approach to lead technical resources while being hands-on ensuring technical excellence, consistency, readiness, and alignment with practice priorities.
• Drive technical and solution enablement across sales, presales, and delivery teams to support pipeline growth and customer success.
• Serve as an escalation point and trusted advisor for complex customer opportunities, solution reviews, and strategic engagements.
• Collaborate with Sales, Professional Services, Managed Services, Marketing, and partner teams to support practice growth objectives and execution of go-to-market initiatives.
• Support and create solution offerings, services, methodologies, and sales plays that align with market demand and customer needs.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key technology partners and OEMs to support joint initiatives, certifications, enablement activities, and business growth.
• Monitor business performance, pipeline health, utilization, and operational metrics, providing recommendations and insights to leadership.
• Represent the practice internally and externally through customer engagements, partner interactions, training initiatives, and thought leadership activities.

What you will bring to the team: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field; equivalent experience will be considered.
• 10+ years of experience in technology consulting, presales, solution architecture, professional services, managed services, or related technology leadership roles.
• 5+ years of experience leading technical teams, Practice Architects, solution architects, or similar technical resources, including coaching, readiness, and skills development.
• Experience supporting go-to-market plans, service offerings, partner strategies, and sales enablement for enterprise technology solutions.
• Strong understanding of the AI market and solutions as well as the intersection with enterprise technology domains such as Cloud & Data Center, Networking, Security, Digital Workplace, or Managed Services.
• Ability to engage with executive stakeholders, customers, sales leaders, solution architects, delivery teams, and strategic partners.
• Strong communication, presentation, business planning, and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Experience supporting complex sales cycles, customer workshops, proposals, solution reviews, and partner-led programs.
• Relevant technical, partner, or industry certifications preferred. 

Qualified candidates can expect a salary range of $200,000–$270,000 plus bonus.

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Zones offers a comprehensive benefits package 

While we’re committed to providing top-tier solutions, we’re just as committed to supporting our own team. Our team members enjoy a variety of comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage; life insurance; disability insurance; voluntary accident, hospitalization, and critical illness insurance options; a 401(k) plan with matching provision; and many more. Generally, Zones currently offers paid time off and personal sick leave in compliance with individual state requirements.

At Zones, work is more than a job—it is an exciting career on a global team that is client-centric, has a passion for technology, embraces change, and supports lifelong learning in a collaborative culture. As a Minority Business Enterprise, a Corporate Plus member of the Northwest Minority Supplier Development Council, and an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, our community is just as diverse. If you’re interested in working on the cutting edge of IT innovation, sales, engineering, operations, administration, and more, Zones is the place for you!

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, or pregnancy.

Zones participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is a system that compares information from a team member’s Form I-9 to federal records to confirm their eligibility to work in the United States.