Principal Industry Consultant – Banking, CH

Job Description

Vector8 is growing and we are looking for a Principal Industry Consultant – Banking to own and grow existing banking client relationships while helping clients move from AI ambition to production delivery.

This senior, client-facing role requires deep knowledge of the Swiss banking landscape and the ability to translate strategic priorities into commercially viable, execution-ready engagements.

Working closely with vector8’s Vertical Lead, you will help shape and convert client priorities into Enterprise AI‑Aligned opportunities that create measurable business value and a credible path to production.

You will act as a trusted partner to banking clients, bringing together relationship ownership, advisory capability, delivery awareness, and practical understanding of AI adoption in regulated environments.

The role sits at the heart of vector8’s banking growth strategy and requires turning AI interest into real transformation, beyond vision decks and pilots.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of the Swiss banking landscape, including private banking, wealth management, retail banking, or universal banking settings.
• Demonstrable experience advising banks on AI adoption, digital transformation, or innovation programmes.
• Strong understanding of regulatory and governance landscape relevant to AI adoption in Swiss banking and other regulated financial environments.
• Clear appreciation of the cultural and organisational shift required for banks to adopt AI successfully, including stakeholder alignment, trust, controls and operating model change.
• Proven ability to move initiatives beyond experimentation and help clients transition from proof‑of‑concept to production delivery.
• Consulting experience with the ability to structure client problems, frame opportunities clearly, and connect business goals to executable engagements.
• Strong foundation in AI solutions, with sufficient technical understanding to engage credibly on modern AI capabilities and their enterprise application.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with confidence engaging senior client audiences.
• Commercially minded, able to identify account growth opportunities while maintaining trusted‑advisor credibility.
• MBA or Master’s degree in Business, Finance, Engineering or related field; strong experience in banking relationship management, consulting, account leadership or engagement management roles.
• Fluent in English and German – ideally Swiss German.
• Preferred Experience
• Experience working with tier‑1 Swiss banks, private banks, cantonal banks or wealth managers.
• Familiarity with enterprise AI use cases in banking (e. g., knowledge workflows, client servicing, operations automation, compliance support and productivity enablement).
• Experience shaping consulting or technology engagements in collaboration with senior internal and client stakeholders.
• Exposure to delivery models that combine advisory, product and engineering capabilities.
• Ability to work effectively in ambiguous environments where strategic direction and practical execution both matter.
• Personal Attributes
• Trusted, credible and highly client‑oriented.
• Commercially aware without being overly sales‑led.
• Strong relationship builder with executive presence.
• Structured thinker who can turn ambiguity into action.
• Pragmatic and delivery‑aware.
• Comfortable operating across strategy, engagement shaping and client management.
• Passionate about helping banks adopt AI in ways that are real, responsible and scalable.
• Job Responsibilities
• Own and develop existing banking client relationships, acting as a trusted point of contact for strategic and commercial engagement.
• Partner with vector8’s Vertical Lead to translate client priorities into Enterprise AI‑Aligned engagements with clear business outcomes and delivery pathways.
• Identify, shape and mature AI opportunities within client accounts, from early conversations through scoped engagements and production‑oriented programmes.
• Help clients define practical pathways for AI adoption, balancing strategic ambition with delivery realism, governance and operational readiness.
• Advise banking stakeholders on where and how AI solutions can create measurable value across regulated banking environments.
• Build credibility with senior client stakeholders by demonstrating a clear understanding of Swiss banking operating models, constraints and transformation priorities.
• Support the progression of initiatives from pilot, prototype or proof‑of‑concept into funded production projects.
• Navigate the regulatory, risk and control considerations that influence AI adoption in Swiss banking environments.
• Work cross‑functionally with delivery, product and technical teams to ensure proposed engagements are executable, valuable and aligned to client priorities.
• Contribute to account growth by identifying follow‑on opportunities, expanding strategic relationships and supporting proposal development where needed.
• Job Benefits
• Competitive base salary with a variable performance‑based bonus.
• Modern office in the heart of Zurich with an on‑site gym, sports classes (yoga, pilates, spinning) and healthy snacks.
• Hybrid working model – balance remote work with in‑office collaboration.
• Ongoing investment in professional development with clear opportunities for leadership.
• 16 weeks fully paid maternity leave, with a flexible 50% return‑to‑work option in the first month and 4 weeks fully paid leave for the second parent.
• Paid Halbtax travel card to support sustainable commuting.
• Diverse, international team across five locations with regular team events and cross‑border collaboration opportunities.
• Attractive referral bonuses for candidate and client conversions.
• Culture grounded in inclusivity, curiosity, ownership and collaboration – where your ideas shape the future of AI consulting.
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