AI & Data
AI Questionnaire Report
First global AI executive search practice (2012) | Hundreds of AI leadership searches | Global enterprise clients
Since launching the first global AI & Data executive search practice and AI executive search firm capability in 2012, Heidrick & Struggles has worked with boards and CEOs worldwide to define and recruit roles such as Chief AI Officer, Chief Data & AI Officer, Head of Agentic AI, and other senior AI leaders.
Organizations are rapidly shifting from experimentation to enterprise-scale AI—spanning generative and increasingly agentic systems—raising new questions about AI leadership, operating models, autonomy, and governance. Boards and executive teams are determining how to structure AI, data, and intelligent systems, where these capabilities should sit, and whether they need roles such as a Chief AI Officer (CAIO), Chief Data & AI Officer (CDAIO), or other senior AI leadership.
We work with boards, CEOs, and executive teams to design the leadership architecture for enterprise AI, from defining operating models, decision rights, and governance, to identifying leaders with the technical depth, product mindset, and business judgment to transform AI strategy, generative AI adoption, and autonomous agent capabilities into measurable outcomes.
Our clients span global enterprises, private equity–backed companies, and digital-native organizations building AI, machine learning, advanced analytics, and agentic AI capabilities. Typical mandates include:
- Chief AI Officer (CAIO)
- Chief Data & AI Officer (CDAIO)
- Chief Data & Analytics Officer (CDAO)
- Head of AI, Generative AI, or Agentic AI
- Head of AI Product / AI Product Leader
- Head of Data Science and Applied AI
- Head of Machine Learning Engineering / VP, Machine Learning
- AI and data leaders for private equity portfolio companies
- Board directors and senior advisors with AI and data expertise
Few firms combine AI and agentic AI executive search, leadership advisory, and interim leadership globally. Our integrated approach to AI search, leadership assessment and development, and interim leadership enables clients to access the leadership they need, whether appointing a Chief AI Officer, strengthening an existing leadership team, or deploying interim AI executives to accelerate transformation.
Our goal is to help organizations build AI and data leadership teams that scale innovation, govern risk, and deliver sustained business impact.