About the Role
The AI Data Leader spearheads the organization's data and AI strategy, aligning it with business goals and product priorities in a player–coach capacity that blends technical depth with strategic vision while mentoring and developing teams. We are looking for an entrepreneurial, value-driven senior Data & AI executive with 15+ years of experience leading Data and AI transformations across MENA, UK, and Europe. This role demands proven expertise in Data & AI practice pipeline forecasting, P&L ownership, Go-To-Market and Delivery Excellence, along with the ability to build high-performing diverse teams and deliver enterprise-scale data platforms, AI/ML Ops, and responsible AI programs. The ideal candidate will translate complex technical capability into measurable business outcomes as a trusted C-suite advisor and industry thought leader.
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Key Responsibilities
- Define and drive the organization's Data & AI strategy, covering data infrastructure, AI/ML models, partnerships, and talent.
- Own P&L for Data & AI across MENA, setting the strategic growth path for transformation, sales growth, and operational leadership.
- Establish and grow regional delivery centers serving MENA, UK & Europe.
- Lead the AI/ML lifecycle from research and prototyping through deployment and monitoring to improve detection accuracy, reduce false positives, and uncover new use cases.
- Create and scale unified DataOps, BI/DW and AI teams for Advanced Analytics using agile practices across tools, code, and cloud infrastructure.
- Define and execute enterprise Data & AI strategy covering architecture, data platform roadmaps, and productization of AI models.
- Provide architectural guidance and hands-on oversight across Azure Data Services (Data Factory, Synapse, Data Lake), Azure Analytics, Databricks, GCP, and Informatica.
- Review and validate data engineering pipelines, cloud architecture designs, data platform builds, and AI/ML model deployments, embedding data governance, data quality, security, and compliance best practices.
- Track emerging AI, GenAI, and cloud data platform technologies and bring relevant innovations to client solutions.
- Collaborate with Product and Engineering to embed AI into the product roadmap and customer solutions with production-ready, continuously optimized models.
- Drive consultative selling and commercial capture: lead RFP responses, develop sales toolkits and playbooks, and orchestrate multi-service-line structured deals.
- Advise clients across sectors and translate business problems into data and AI solutions.
- Partner with best-in-breed vendors to accelerate capability while building internal data and AI foundations and growing the Data & AI partnership landscape.
- Ensure AI/ML initiatives are ethical, explainable, and compliant with regulations such as AML and data protection laws.
- Build and lead a high-performing team, mentoring engineers in Data/AI/ML practices and fostering an inclusive, collaborative culture with communities of practice.
- Hire, coach, and mentor senior managers and Data & AI capability leaders, driving a growth-minded culture and high retention of top talent.
- Enhance the Client's position as a Trusted Thinking Partner of Choice by developing innovative data transformational solutions and building the Client brand through industry events, conferences, Data/AI marketing initiatives, and POVs.
Qualifications and Experience
Must Have
- AI Certifications & Relevant Project Experiences.
- 15+ years in Data & AI, including P&L ownership, Go-To-Market and Delivery Excellence across MENA, UK & Europe.
- Proven leadership in end-to-end Data transformations and enterprise-scale data platforms across multiple countries and verticals.
- Deep hands-on expertise in Azure Data Services, Databricks, Informatica, Snowflake, and GCP, with strong command of data engineering, cloud architecture, and AI/ML model lifecycle.
- In-depth knowledge of end-to-end Data & AI practices, architectures, ML techniques, and Data/AI trends and transformation.
- Demonstrated consultative selling, RFP response, and multi-service-line deal orchestration against sales targets.
- Experience building, growing, and mentoring large, diverse teams including senior managers and Data & AI capability leaders.
- Development and delivery oversight across cloud, on-prem, and hybrid models.
- Strategic thinking to align technology with business objectives.
- Education: Bachelor's degree, MBA.
Good to Have
- Experience at Tier 1 advisory, consulting, or large systems integrator firms, preferably with an onsite-offshore model.
- Experience in ethical AI, regulatory compliance, and explainable AI.
- Experience orchestrating global, matrixed deal structuring teams across TCO, multi-tower, digital, consulting, and managed services deal types.
- Strong references from key stakeholders (buyers, influencers) in large local enterprises and top buyers within and adjacent to the industry.
