Description
As a Deployment Strategist, you will be part of the founding team of the Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE) team, a new strategic initiative sponsored by the CEO and Founders. Your mission will be to win C-suite-sponsored, high-value AI opportunities by selling and delivering outcomes, not just a platform.
You will be responsible for partnering with Account Executives to build C-suite trust, performing deep discovery to map the customer's political and technical landscape, and scoping the value. You will define the Minimum Viable Product for a pilot, write the PRD that guides the engineering team, and manage the project to a successful landing.
The role requires a rare mix of C-suite gravitas, deep product-style thinking, and a hands-on, 'get it done' execution mindset. You will have a significant impact on the company's growth and success.
Key responsibilities include:
- C-Suite Scoping & Value Definition: Partner with Sales to perform deep discovery, map the customer's organization, quantify the business value ($10M+ problems), and define the pilot (MVP, success criteria, timeline).
- End-to-End Product Ownership: Act as the 'CEO' of the project by authoring the PRD, prioritizing the engineering backlog, relentlessly managing scope, and acting as the primary hands-on QA tester.
- Agile Project Execution & Delivery: Drive the FDE build team via an agile process, manage all stakeholder communications from the C-suite to individual engineers, and act as the 'escalation manager' to unblock all technical or political issues.
- Solution Launch & Landing: Own the 'Day 0' launch, manage the war room, and drive the solution from launch to full adoption by capturing user feedback, iterating, and proving the defined business value.
- Strategic Handoff & Growth: Scope the ongoing maintenance plan, create customer documentation/training, and leverage your trusted advisor status to identify the next high-value FDE engagement.
What we look for:
- Executive Presence & Communication: A 'Trusted Advisor' with C-suite gravitas and superb communication skills. You are opinionated, humble, and can build rapport and drive decisions in days, not weeks.
- Product & Strategy Mindset: A 'Product Thinker' and 'Systems Thinker' who can perform a SWOT analysis, understand a competitive landscape, and define 'what' to build and 'why'.
- Relentless Execution: An 'Execution Driver' with a 'Hands-On' mentality. You are relentless, an expert at escalation, and willing to do the unglamorous work to get the project done.
- Ideal Experience: Proven experience as a Deployment Strategist or in a high-growth startup environment in a hands-on 'builder' or 'founder' capacity. Alternatively, strong background in senior, client-facing product or delivery roles within leading technology companies or top-tier consultancies.
- Proven Skills: Demonstrated experience in value-based scoping (TCO/ROI), managing agile software projects, writing PRDs, and the ability/interest to travel up to 50%.