Fractional AI Project Leadership

Senior-level direction for critical AI initiatives when your team is at capacity

1 of 5

The Challenge: AI Becomes a Second Full-Time Job

Urgent AI questions demand senior attention — new compliance requirements, competitive threats, building an AI Center of Excellence — but your team is already managing core responsibilities at full capacity. Self-educating on AI while running the business isn't sustainable. AI strategy can't be a side project.

2 of 5

The Solution: Strategic Leadership Without Permanent Headcount

We provide fractional project leadership for complex, cross-functional AI initiatives that fall outside day-to-day responsibilities. We step in to focus the project, coordinate internal and external experts, and drive execution until your team is ready to take full ownership. This lets your leaders own the learnings and outcomes while staying focused on running the business.

3 of 5

Example engagements:

  • Integrating AI compliance requirements into operations and documenting processes for regulators

  • Accelerating an AI Center of Excellence without adding permanent headcount

  • Providing brand metrics to AI pilot outcomes and supporting presentations to the Board

  • Sourcing independent experts to assess AI risk without vendor bias

4 of 5

What You Get: Momentum, Not Dependency

  • Diplomatic Collaboration - We work alongside your teams and decision-makers, not around them.

  • Cross-Functional Coordination - We bridge Legal, IT, Marketing, and Operations with clear objectives, roles, and communication to move initiatives forward.

  • Knowledge Transfer - Documentation and frameworks that enable your team to maintain momentum independently.

5 of 5

Your Lead Advisor

Michael Quinn founded TheTension.AI and leads every engagement personally, bringing decades of experience as a creative business owner, line producer, faculty workshop facilitator, agency partner, and advisor to senior executives.

Schedule a complimentary call to discuss your AI Objective

FAQ

  • Lack of incentive, executive sponsorship, clear roles, meaningful goals and frequent communications are often to blame for a stalled AI pilot. This service is designed to bridge those exact gaps.

  • A traditional PM is focused on tactical execution: managing timelines, resources, and tasks. My role as Strategic Orchestrator is complementary and focused on strategic alignment. My background as a Business Owner and 'Producer' gives me a bias for empathy and action, but my experience facilitating workshops for senior decision-makers taught me how to translate complex progress into clear business terms for the C-suite. I ensure the project remains aligned with your core business objectives.

  • A Fractional AI Project Director is a senior, external leader you engage on a retainer basis to direct a critical short-term AI initiative. The right time is often during a trigger event that overwhelms your key leaders who already have their hands full, such as a sudden competitive move, a damaging headline about your AI, or when a high-stakes opportunity lacks a qualified or available owner

  • We ensure business value by starting with the strategic goal and working backward. My process involves constantly aligning the project’s progress with your key business metrics, facilitating clear communication between all stakeholders, and ensuring the final outcomes are measurable and directly contribute to your corporate strategy.

  • This is not a permanent role. My engagement is designed to be a temporary injection of senior leadership and focus. The primary goal is to navigate the most complex phase of your initiative, restore clarity and momentum, and build your team's internal capability until your staff leaders can confidently take the reins.