Using High5 for Chief AI Officer (CAIO) hiring

What’s the demand?

This hardly needs an introduction, but the pressure is on businesses to move Artificial Intelligence from the concept stage to enterprise-wide deployment.Organisations recognize that AI is a strategic lever that impacts growth, risk, efficiency, and competitiveness. This shift has led to growing demand for senior AI leadership.

According to recent research from Robert Half and Rigour Research “The majority of C‑Suite leaders across the UK and the EU (83%) expect that the role of the chief AI officer will become more important over the next ten years as companies look for the best approach to tackling artificial intelligence.”

Appointing a CAIO is not simply about adding another executive role. Companies have learnt lessons from the digital transformation era, with its numerous examples of delays and unsuccessful executions, and establishing stronger leadership and frameworks to avoid a repeat scenario with AI, given that it is likely to have even more impact than the first transformation revolution.

The value in the role comes from consolidating the multiple instances: siloed AI initiatives are siloed, when pilots are proliferating without governance or ROI, when risk management and regulatory scrutiny are intensifying, and when the business needs a clear, cross‑enterprise framework for turning AI potential into measurable outcomes.

Independent consultants with transformation backgrounds are particularly suited here: they focus on creating the frameworks, governance, and operating models that form the foundations for AI value realisation. Unlike vendor‑driven hires, they bring neutrality, outcome‑orientation, and the ability to design structures that can scale.

What’s involved?

Leadership of AI at the enterprise level will include:

• Develop an AI strategy and value map, linking organisational goals to a prioritised portfolio of AI use cases.
• Establish governance structures, including steering committees, decision rights, and risk management policies.
• Create an operating model that defines roles, responsibilities, and delivery cadences across business, data, and technology teams.
• Define and embed a Responsible AI framework covering ethics, bias, safety, privacy, and compliance.
• Build a delivery playbook for moving use cases from idea → discovery → pilot →scaled product with adoption plans and benefit tracking.
• Drive architecture and vendor strategy, ensuring neutrality, cost control, and avoidance of vendor lock‑in.
• Lead change and capability building, including role‑based enablement, training pathways, and a champions network.
• Establish metrics and KPIs, ensuringAI adoption is measured in terms of business value, adoption, and riskoutcomes.
• Deliver quick‑win pilots that showcase value while setting the foundation for scale.
• Provide leadership continuity via fractional, interim, or project-based engagement, handing over to a permanent CAIO or internal leader once foundations are in place.

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What skills are needed?

An effective independent CAIO will demonstrate:

• Deep understanding of enterprise transformation frameworks (governance, TOMs, playbooks, KPIs).
• Expertise in AI strategy, use‑case prioritization, and value mapping.
• Knowledge of responsible AI, model risk, regulatory frameworks, and compliance obligations.
• Strong skills in operating model and process design, building cross‑functional collaboration.
• Experience with data and AI lifecycle management (from data readiness to MLOps/LLMOps).
• Ability to design vendor‑agnostic architectures and evaluate technology options neutrally.
• Strong change leadership and communications skills, capable of influencing boards and executive committees.
• Proficiency in benefits tracking, forecasting, and KPI measurement to demonstrate ROI.
• Experience in capability building and knowledge transfer, ensuring the organisation can sustain progress post‑engagement.

Why independent consultants with transformation backgrounds excel in this new role

• Frameworks-focused: Transformation consultants systematise success with charters, playbooks, cadences, and KPIs, so results are repeatable
• Enterprise change literacy: Knowledge of how to win budget, navigate committees, and design incentives that drive adoption.
• Outcome orientation: Bring benefits tracking, value cases, and gated portfolios from non‑AI transformations to ensure that these are well-managed, outcome-led deliverables
• Neutrality: No preferred stack with recommendations that reflect your constraints, not a partner’s sales agenda‍
• Time‑to‑impact: Experienced at 30/60/90 day turnarounds and build‑operate‑transfer models.

Getting Started with High5

If your business has recognized the need for this new role, or to build a team around its AI transformation initiatives, leveraging on-demand talent can be a fast and effective solution. With a flexible delivery approach, discovering independent talent at High5 can support models to stand up this role ncluding:

• Fractional CAIO (1–3 days/week): Leadership plus framework build‑out; suits mid‑market or when mentoring an internal head.
• Interim CAIO (full‑time, 3–9 months): Stand‑up the function while recruiting the permanent role.
• Project‑based: Design and implement the frameworks, kick‑start delivery, then transition.
• Build‑Operate‑Transfer: Consultant builds and runs the function for a period, then hands over.

You can post your requirements directly on the High5  marketplace, and we will match you to the most appropriate consultant. We were one of the first networks to recognize AI skills in our taxonomy, and consultants with specific AI leadership experience now number over 2,000 globally, and over 9,000 more with established AI skillsets.

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