Manager – GenAI Strategy & Architecture

Who/What is Artefact? Artefact is a next-generation strategy and data consulting firm dedicated to transforming organizations through data and AI. We combine the rigor of top-tier strategy consulting with deep expertise in data, digital, and analytics to help clients achieve tangible business impact. With 1,800+ consultants, data scientists, and engineers across 23 countries, we work with global leaders such as Samsung, L’Oréal, Orange, and Sanofi. Our Zurich office is at the heart of Artefact’s growth, advising clients on their most pressing strategic challenges — from AI strategy and governance to digital transformation roadmaps and new business model design.

The role:

We are looking for a Manager who leads strategy and architecture projects focused on GenAI solutions. You will own the design of architectures and solutions end to end, balancing business value, technology choices and economics across every dimension of the decision. You will lead development teams, present solutions to C-level stakeholders and run technical and strategic workshops independently.

Key responsibilities:

Project and programme leadership

• Lead strategy and architecture projects on GenAI, from scoping and business case through to solution design and rollout oversight.

• Own project plans, budgets, risks and quality, ensuring delivery against client objectives.

• Shape proposals, estimates and demos, and identify follow-on opportunities with clients.

GenAI architecture and solution design

• Design GenAI architectures and solutions: RAG, agentic systems, multi-agent orchestration, MCP and A2A integration, copilots and assistants.

• Select and combine cloud-native AI services (e.g. Azure AI Foundry, Copilot Studio, Vertex AI, Bedrock, Databricks) with third-party and custom components.

• Apply GenAI to support functions such as HR, Procurement, Legal, Finance and IT, redesigning processes and operating models around the new solutions.

Cross-dimension optimization and trade-offs

• Orchestrate decisions across make, buy and customization options, weighing capex against opex and total cost of ownership.

• Assess the impact of tool and architecture choices on vendor lock-in, performance, latency, scalability, security and compliance.

• Translate these trade-offs into clear recommendations that business and IT leaders can act on.

Team and stakeholder leadership

• Guide development teams technically: set the architecture, review solutions and unblock delivery.

• Present solutions and recommendations to C-level audiences.

• Run technical and strategic workshops independently, from discovery to design and prioritization.

• Coach and develop consultants and architects in the team.

Requirements:

• At least 8 years of professional experience in IT.

• At least 3 years on AI/GenAI architecture and solution design projects.

• Prior hands-on background as an engineer or developer.

• Proven experience applying GenAI to support functions (HR, Procurement, Legal, Finance or IT).

• Consulting experience, ideally in strategy consulting, combined with experience at a system integrator or delivery firm.

• Track record of managing projects and leading teams, including development teams.

• Experience presenting to C-level stakeholders and running workshops independently.

• Excellent written and spoken English.

Technical and functional skills:

• GenAI architectures: RAG, agentic and multi-agent patterns, LLMOps, model evaluation, guardrails and responsible AI.

• Agent protocols and copilots: MCP, A2A, Microsoft Copilot and Copilot Studio, custom assistants and their integration with enterprise systems.

• Cloud AI platforms: Azure AI Foundry, Vertex AI, Bedrock, Databricks and the native data and AI services of Azure, AWS and GCP.

• Architecture trade-offs: make vs buy vs customize, capex vs opex, TCO, lock-in, performance, latency, scalability, security and compliance.

• Support functions: processes and operating models in HR, Procurement, Legal, Finance and IT, and how GenAI changes them.

• Delivery leadership: agile methods, technical team guidance, solution review, programme governance.

• Business: business cases, value tracking, and the ability to translate technical choices into economic impact for executives.

Nice to have:

• German not strictly required.

• Cloud or AI certifications (e.g. Azure AI Engineer, Azure Solutions Architect, AWS Machine Learning).

What we offer:

• A leadership role bridging strategy, architecture and GenAI delivery, with direct impact on client decisions.

• International projects on GenAI, agentic systems and support function transformation.

• A growth path towards senior programme and practice leadership roles.

• Location and working model: (Hybrid) Zurich or Lausanne.

• Highly competitive compensation package.

This position is based in Zürich.

Don’t worry if you don’t meet all the criteria! We value motivation, pragmatic problem-solving, and potential above all else. We’d love to hear from you and learn more about your passion for driving the AI revolution.