Lead Strategy & Planning Consultant — AI Product Strategy & Innovation

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Strategy & Planning Consultant — AI Product Strategy & Innovation

Company: Wells Fargo

Location: Charlotte, NC, United States; Minneapolis, MN, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: Operations Strategy & Planning / Product Strategy & Innovation

Date Posted: 2026-08-21

Experience Level: 5+ years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive product strategy and execution for a portfolio of no-code/low-code AI products and workflow automation capabilities, focusing on enhancing operational efficiency and delivering measurable business value.

• Serve as a strategic partner to product leadership, translating business goals into actionable roadmaps, operating plans, and disciplined execution routines.

• Identify and capitalize on opportunities to create business value by analyzing operational challenges, process inefficiencies, and stakeholder needs to inform technology-enabled solutions.

• Foster alignment and synergy across diverse teams, products, and business groups to optimize the overall product portfolio and reduce duplication of efforts.

• Support the innovation pipeline by evaluating new ideas, structuring exploratory work, defining success metrics, and ensuring experimental initiatives are tied to tangible business outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Wells Fargo's Chief Operating Office, specifically focusing on AI Product Strategy & Innovation. The emphasis on "no-code and low-code AI products and workflow automation" indicates a strong need for a consultant who can bridge business requirements with technological solutions that empower operational teams, rather than solely focusing on deep technical AI development. The role requires a strategic thinker with robust planning and execution skills, adept at navigating complex financial services environments.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead product strategy and execution for a portfolio of no-code and low-code AI products and workflow automation capabilities, with a primary focus on improving operational efficiency, strengthening controls, and delivering demonstrable business value.

• Collaborate closely with product leadership to define strategic priorities, clarify objectives, and translate overarching business goals into actionable roadmaps, comprehensive operating plans, and effective execution routines.

• Proactively identify opportunities to generate business value by meticulously assessing operational challenges, pinpointing process inefficiencies, understanding stakeholder needs, and conceptualizing technology-enabled solutions.

• Connect and align work across various teams, products, and business groups to uncover synergies, eliminate redundancy, and enhance overall alignment within the product portfolio.

• Champion innovation efforts by assisting in the evaluation of new ideas, structuring exploratory work, defining clear success criteria, and ensuring that all experimentation is directly linked to measurable business outcomes.

• Establish and diligently manage operating routines, encompassing leadership cadences, portfolio reviews, intake forums, prioritization discussions, status updates, and the creation of executive-ready communications.

• Develop robust frameworks, strategic materials, and reporting mechanisms to empower leadership in making informed decisions regarding strategic priorities, resource allocation, risk management, dependency tracking, delivery progress, adoption outcomes, and overall business value.

• Partner with product pods to proactively anticipate and remove execution roadblocks, effectively manage interdependencies, and ensure alignment across business, product, technology, risk, and control stakeholders.

• Support critical functions such as resource planning, demand management, intake prioritization, and portfolio-level visibility to ensure the team remains focused on the highest-value initiatives.

• Prepare clear, concise, and well-structured communications tailored for leadership and diverse stakeholder audiences, including strategic updates, decision-making materials, meeting summaries, adoption guidance, and compelling portfolio narratives.

• Leverage data, key metrics, stakeholder feedback, and business outcomes to rigorously assess progress, identify areas for improvement, and drive continuous enhancement across the entire product organization.

• Foster and promote a culture characterized by collaboration, accountability, operational excellence, risk awareness, disciplined adoption, and a commitment to continuous learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic thinking and operational execution. The emphasis on "no-code and low-code AI products and workflow automation" suggests a focus on empowering business users and operational teams to leverage AI and automation, rather than requiring deep AI development expertise. The role demands strong project and portfolio management skills, with a significant component of stakeholder communication and executive reporting.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Strategy, Finance, Economics, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for a Lead Consultant role in a large financial institution. Advanced degrees or relevant certifications (e.g., PMP, CSM, AI/ML certifications) may be advantageous.

Experience: Minimum of 5+ years of experience in Strategy and Planning, or equivalent demonstrated through work experience, training, or education.

Required Skills:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in Strategy and Planning, or equivalent professional experience.

• Demonstrated ability to drive product strategy and portfolio planning, translating strategic priorities into actionable roadmaps and execution plans.

• Proven experience in identifying opportunities for business value creation through operational analysis and technology enablement.

• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and align cross-functional teams including product, business, technology, risk, and control.

• Excellent organizational skills with a proven ability to bring structure, prioritization, and attention to detail to ambiguous or fast-moving environments.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the capacity to synthesize complex information and recommend practical actions tied to measurable outcomes.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex information and present clearly to senior leaders and diverse audiences. Preferred Skills:

• Experience driving innovation by evaluating new ideas, structuring exploratory work, and defining success criteria for AI and automation initiatives.

• Experience in supporting product delivery, business implementation, operating model changes, change readiness, or adoption of new capabilities across business teams.

• Familiarity with no-code and low-code AI platforms and workflow automation tools.

• Experience within the financial services industry, understanding of regulatory environments, and risk management principles.

• Proficiency in developing and managing operating routines, including leadership cadences, portfolio reviews, and intake prioritization.

• Ability to develop frameworks, materials, and reporting for leadership decision-making.

• Experience in resource planning, demand management, and portfolio-level visibility.

• A proactive approach to anticipating and removing execution roadblocks and managing dependencies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Desired Qualifications" section provides a clearer picture of the ideal candidate. The emphasis on translating strategy into actionable plans, driving innovation, and managing cross-functional priorities is key. Experience with no-code/low-code AI and workflow automation tools, along with financial services industry context, would be highly beneficial. The role requires a blend of strategic foresight and meticulous execution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Strategic Roadmap Development: Showcase examples of how you've developed and executed strategic roadmaps for product portfolios or transformation initiatives, clearly linking them to business objectives and measurable outcomes.

• Operational Efficiency Improvements: Present case studies demonstrating your ability to identify process inefficiencies, propose solutions (especially involving AI/automation), and quantify the resulting operational improvements and business value.

• System Implementation & Adoption: Include examples of your involvement in the implementation and adoption of new capabilities, particularly in the AI or workflow automation space, highlighting strategies for change management and user adoption.

• ROI Demonstration: Provide evidence of how you've measured and reported on the return on investment (ROI) for strategic initiatives, product launches, or process improvements, using data and key performance indicators (KPIs).

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Demonstrate experience in designing, documenting, and optimizing workflows, particularly those that can be enhanced or automated using AI and low-code/no-code solutions.

• Implementation & Automation Methods: Showcase your understanding of methodologies for implementing new technologies and automation solutions, ensuring smooth integration with existing systems and processes.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Illustrate your capability in defining key metrics, establishing performance dashboards, and analyzing data to track progress, identify bottlenecks, and support continuous improvement cycles for AI and automation initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a formal portfolio isn't explicitly requested, the "Desired Qualifications" strongly imply that candidates will need to articulate their experience in these areas during interviews and discussions. Therefore, preparing case studies and examples that highlight strategic planning, execution, operational efficiency improvements via AI/automation, stakeholder management, and measurable business outcomes will be crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $119,000 - $206,000 annually.

Benefits:

• Health benefits

• 401(k) Plan

• Paid time off

• Disability benefits

• Life insurance

• Critical illness insurance

• Accident insurance

• Parental leave

• Critical caregiving leave

• Discounts and savings

• Commuter benefits

• Tuition reimbursement

• Scholarships for dependent children

• Adoption reimbursement

Working Hours: The description implies a standard 40-hour work week, typical for a full-time role in a large corporation. However, the nature of strategy and planning roles, especially in innovation, may require occasional flexibility to meet project deadlines or critical business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is typical for a Lead Consultant role with significant strategy and planning responsibilities in a major financial institution in the US. The broad range reflects potential variations based on specific experience, demonstrated performance, and the candidate's location within the specified regions (Charlotte, NC, and Minneapolis, MN). The comprehensive benefits package is standard for large corporations like Wells Fargo, offering substantial support for employee well-being and professional development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services. Wells Fargo operates in a highly regulated industry, emphasizing risk management, compliance, and customer-centricity. The focus on AI Product Strategy & Innovation within the Chief Operating Office suggests a drive towards modernizing operations through technology and data-driven approaches.

Company Size: Wells Fargo is a very large, global financial services company, with a significant number of employees. This implies a complex organizational structure, extensive resources, and a structured approach to operations and governance.

Founded: 1852. With a long history, Wells Fargo has established itself as a major player in the financial sector, known for its stability and broad range of services. This longevity suggests a culture that values experience and established processes, while also adapting to new technological advancements.

Team Structure:

• Operations Focus: The role sits within the Chief Operating Office (COO), indicating a central function responsible for the efficiency and effectiveness of the company's operational backbone.

• AI Product Strategy & Innovation: This specific team likely comprises individuals focused on identifying, developing, and implementing AI-driven solutions and workflow automation. It will involve close collaboration with product managers, technology teams, and various business units.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role requires extensive partnership with product leadership, product managers, technology partners, business stakeholders, and operational teams across different departments. This suggests a highly collaborative environment where influence and communication are key.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: The emphasis on using data, metrics, and business outcomes to assess progress and identify improvement opportunities points to a data-driven operational methodology.

• Strategic Planning & Execution: The role requires a structured approach to strategic planning, roadmap development, and disciplined execution, ensuring that initiatives align with business goals and deliver tangible value.

• Innovation & Experimentation: The support for innovation efforts and exploratory work suggests a methodology that balances established processes with a willingness to experiment and adapt to new technologies like AI and automation.

Company Website: https://www.wellsfargo.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The context of a large, established financial institution like Wells Fargo means that operational roles often require navigating complex corporate structures, adhering to stringent risk and compliance protocols, and demonstrating a clear path to measurable business impact. The "AI Product Strategy & Innovation" team within the COO likely acts as a central hub for driving operational modernization, requiring strong collaboration and influence skills.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a "Lead" consultant role, indicating a senior individual contributor position. It requires significant experience in strategy, planning, and execution, with the ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy and influence. The scope involves managing a portfolio of products and initiatives, requiring strategic oversight and tactical implementation guidance.

Reporting Structure: The role reports into product leadership within the Chief Operating Office. This suggests a direct line of sight into operational strategy and innovation initiatives, with opportunities to influence senior management decisions. Collaboration will extend across product pods, technology, and various business units.

Operations Impact: The role is designed to have a substantial impact on Wells Fargo's operational efficiency, control environment, and overall business value. By driving the strategy and execution of AI and workflow automation products, the consultant will directly contribute to modernizing operations, reducing costs, improving customer experiences, and strengthening risk management.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization in AI & Automation: Deepen expertise in AI product strategy, no-code/low-code platforms, and workflow automation, becoming a go-to expert within Wells Fargo in these rapidly evolving fields.

• Leadership Development: Progress into product leadership roles, managing teams of product managers or strategy consultants, or taking on larger, more complex strategic initiatives.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Gain broad exposure to various business units and technology domains within Wells Fargo, potentially leading to opportunities in broader strategic planning, digital transformation, or business unit leadership roles.

• Industry Recognition: Develop a strong track record in a high-impact area like AI innovation within a major financial institution, which can be valuable for future career advancement within the industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead" title signifies a position of significant responsibility, where the individual is expected to not only execute but also strategize and guide. The emphasis on AI and automation positions this role at the forefront of operational transformation within a traditional financial services company, offering excellent growth potential for those who can deliver tangible results and navigate complex corporate environments.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site. This role requires the consultant to be physically present at Wells Fargo's offices in Charlotte, NC, or Minneapolis, MN. This facilitates in-person collaboration, team engagement, and direct interaction with stakeholders.

Office Location(s):

• Charlotte, NC: Specifically at the "Three Wells Fargo Center."

• Minneapolis, MN. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The on-site requirement suggests a typical corporate office environment designed for collaboration, with meeting rooms, shared workspaces, and opportunities for spontaneous interaction with colleagues.

• Tools & Technology: Access to Wells Fargo's standard suite of enterprise tools, including communication platforms, project management software, and data analytics tools, will be provided to support the role's demands.

• Team Interaction: The role necessitates close daily interaction with product leadership, product managers, technology partners, and business stakeholders, fostering a dynamic and communicative work atmosphere.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is implied for a full-time role, the strategic and innovative nature of the position may require flexibility. Employees are expected to manage their time effectively to meet project deadlines and ensure operational continuity, which could involve occasional extended hours or work outside of standard business times, particularly during critical project phases or for executive reporting.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement at major hubs like Charlotte and Minneapolis indicates a commitment to in-person collaboration and a traditional corporate work environment. Candidates should be prepared for a structured office setting where team dynamics and direct communication are prioritized.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper dive into your experience with strategy, planning, AI/automation, and stakeholder management. Expect behavioral questions assessing your approach to problem-solving, ambiguity, and leadership.

• Panel Interviews: You may meet with other team members, product managers, or business stakeholders. These interviews will focus on your ability to collaborate, communicate complex ideas, and contribute to the team's objectives. Questions may involve hypothetical scenarios related to product strategy and operational challenges.

• Case Study/Presentation: A common element for strategy roles. You might be asked to prepare a presentation on a given business challenge, a product strategy proposal, or an analysis of operational efficiency improvements. This assesses your analytical, strategic thinking, and presentation skills.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to confirm cultural fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Strategic Roadmap Example: Prepare a concise case study detailing a strategic roadmap you developed. Highlight the business problem, your strategic approach, key initiatives, challenges overcome, and the resulting business impact (e.g., improved efficiency, cost savings, revenue growth).

• AI/Automation Initiative: Showcase an example where you contributed to the strategy or execution of an AI or workflow automation project. Focus on how you translated business needs into product requirements, managed stakeholders, and measured success.

• Operational Efficiency Project: Present a project where you identified and addressed operational inefficiencies. Quantify the improvements achieved and demonstrate how you used data to support your recommendations and outcomes.

• Stakeholder Management: Be ready to discuss specific instances where you successfully managed complex stakeholder relationships, navigated competing priorities, and achieved alignment across different groups.

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic Problem-Solving: Practice analyzing business scenarios, identifying root causes of operational issues, and proposing data-driven, strategic solutions. Be prepared to discuss how you would approach an ambiguous problem related to AI product strategy or workflow automation.

• Communication & Storytelling: Develop a clear and compelling narrative for your key accomplishments. Practice presenting complex information concisely and persuasively, tailoring your message to different audiences (e.g., executive leadership, technical teams).

• Company & Industry Knowledge: Research Wells Fargo's current strategic priorities, their focus on innovation, and trends in AI and automation within the financial services industry. Understand the competitive landscape and regulatory environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on strategy and innovation, expect interview questions to be forward-looking and analytical. The ability to articulate a strategic vision, support it with data, and demonstrate a structured approach to execution will be critical. A portfolio showcasing strategic planning, process improvement, and a clear understanding of AI/automation's business impact will be highly advantageous.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Product Management Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Confluence, Aha!, or similar for roadmap development, backlog management, and documentation.

• Collaboration Suites: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams or Slack for communication and document sharing.

• Presentation Software: Advanced skills in PowerPoint for creating executive-level presentations and reports.

• Data Analysis & Visualization Tools: Experience with tools such as Tableau, Power BI, or advanced Excel for data analysis, dashboard creation, and reporting on KPIs and business outcomes.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Business Intelligence Tools: Exposure to BI platforms for extracting insights from operational data, tracking performance metrics, and identifying trends.

• CRM Systems: Understanding of how CRM data (e.g., Salesforce, though not explicitly mentioned) can inform product strategy and customer needs, even if not directly managing it.

• Dashboarding Tools: Ability to create and interpret dashboards that visualize progress, adoption rates, and business value generated by AI and automation initiatives.

CRM & Automation:

• Workflow Automation Tools: Experience or familiarity with platforms that enable no-code/low-code automation (e.g., Microsoft Power Automate, UiPath, Pega, or similar enterprise-grade solutions) is highly desirable, given the role's focus.

• AI/ML Platforms: Exposure to AI/ML concepts and platforms, even if not hands-on development, to understand their capabilities and strategic application in product development.

• Integration Tools: Basic understanding of how different systems integrate to support end-to-end automated workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role emphasizes strategy and planning, so deep technical expertise in AI development may not be required. However, a strong understanding of the capabilities and applications of AI, no-code/low-code platforms, and workflow automation tools is essential. Proficiency in standard enterprise productivity and collaboration tools, along with data analysis and presentation software, is a given.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Operational Excellence: A commitment to driving efficiency, accuracy, and reliability in all operational processes and product delivery.

• Data-Driven Approach: Valuing the use of data and metrics to inform decisions, measure impact, and drive continuous improvement in strategy and execution.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Emphasizing strong working relationships across teams, fostering open communication, and working collectively to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation & Continuous Learning: Encouraging the exploration of new ideas, technologies (like AI), and methodologies to enhance operational capabilities and stay ahead of industry trends.

• Accountability & Ownership: Taking responsibility for outcomes, driving initiatives to completion, and ensuring that commitments are met with rigor and discipline.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role demands a highly collaborative style, working closely with product managers, technology teams, business stakeholders, and risk/control partners to ensure aligned strategy and execution.

• Proactive Communication: Maintaining open lines of communication, providing regular updates, and proactively addressing potential roadblocks or dependencies.

• Feedback Exchange: Fostering a culture where constructive feedback is shared and acted upon to refine strategies, processes, and product development.

• Process Review & Improvement: Regularly assessing existing processes and workflows to identify opportunities for optimization and automation, with a willingness to experiment with new approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: Wells Fargo, as a large financial institution, likely cultivates a culture that balances innovation with a strong emphasis on risk management, compliance, and accountability. The "Lead Strategy & Planning Consultant" role will need to embody these values while driving forward-looking initiatives in AI and automation.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating a Large Organization: Adapting to the complex structure, established processes, and diverse stakeholder landscape of a major financial institution like Wells Fargo.

• Bridging Strategy and Execution: Translating high-level strategic goals into practical, actionable plans that can be effectively implemented by product and operational teams.

• Driving Adoption of New Technologies: Overcoming potential resistance to change and ensuring successful adoption of new AI and workflow automation capabilities across various business units.

• Measuring Impact in Complex Environments: Developing robust metrics and reporting mechanisms to clearly demonstrate the business value and ROI of AI initiatives within a regulated industry.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI & Automation Expertise: Gaining deep experience in the strategic application of AI and low-code/no-code automation within the financial services sector, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Strategic Leadership: Developing skills in influencing senior leadership, shaping organizational strategy, and managing complex portfolios of initiatives.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Broadening understanding of different business functions, technology stacks, and operational areas within Wells Fargo.

• Industry Trends & Best Practices: Staying abreast of the latest advancements in AI, product strategy, and operational efficiency through internal learning, industry conferences, and professional development programs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents the challenge of driving innovation within a large, established, and regulated entity. Success will depend on the candidate's ability to influence, adapt, and demonstrate tangible value, offering significant opportunities for professional growth in strategic leadership and specialized technology domains.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you developed a product strategy for a new capability or portfolio. What was your process, what were the key considerations, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your strategic framework, market analysis, and ability to link strategy to business value).

• "How would you approach identifying opportunities for AI and workflow automation within a large financial services organization to improve operational efficiency?" (Highlight your analytical process, stakeholder engagement, and understanding of AI/automation use cases).

• "Walk me through how you would build and manage an operating routine for a portfolio of AI products, including leadership cadences, prioritization, and reporting." (Emphasize your organizational skills, process design, and ability to create executive-ready materials). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Wells Fargo's current strategic priorities, particularly in areas of innovation and operational efficiency?" (Research their annual reports, investor relations, and recent news).

• "How do you ensure alignment and collaboration across diverse teams (e.g., business, product, technology, risk) when driving strategic initiatives?" (Provide examples of your stakeholder management and communication strategies).

• "How do you measure the success and business value of strategic initiatives, especially those involving new technologies like AI?" (Discuss your approach to defining KPIs, tracking metrics, and calculating ROI). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study (strategic roadmap, AI/automation project, efficiency improvement), clearly define the problem, your role and approach, the actions taken, the results achieved (quantified with data), and lessons learned.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use specific numbers and metrics to demonstrate the business value you delivered (e.g., "reduced processing time by 30%," "increased customer satisfaction scores by 15%," "generated $X in cost savings").

• Focus on Strategic Contribution: Highlight your strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and leadership in driving outcomes, rather than just listing tasks performed.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize experiences relevant to product strategy, AI/automation, operational efficiency, and stakeholder management, as these are core to the Lead Strategy & Planning Consultant role.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to articulate their strategic thinking process, demonstrate a structured approach to planning and execution, and showcase how they leverage data and collaboration to drive business value, especially in the context of AI and automation within a financial services environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the Wells Fargo careers portal via the provided job URL.

• Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume to highlight experiences directly relevant to strategy, planning, AI product strategy, workflow automation, operational efficiency, and stakeholder management. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio Examples: Be ready to discuss specific examples from your career that demonstrate your strategic planning capabilities, success in driving operational improvements, experience with AI/automation initiatives, and ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships.

• Research Wells Fargo: Understand the company's mission, values, recent strategic initiatives, and its position in the financial services industry. Pay attention to their focus on innovation and customer experience.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare for behavioral and situational questions by using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and practicing articulating your contributions and impact clearly and concisely.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.