Data AI Lead

About the Job
We are seeking an executive-ready, highly articulate Data for AI Lead to hold the ultimate mandate for ensuring enterprise data foundations are built specifically for artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced analytics use cases across our major banking engagements in Dubai. In this role, you will bridge the gap between raw enterprise data assets and high-value AI capabilities. Operating across Retail Banking Group (RBG) modernizations, mobile banking platforms, and real-time digital customer journeys, you will assess estate-wide AI data readiness, define precise model data requirements, and establish robust responsible AI data governance. Presenting regularly to C-level client stakeholders (CTOs, Chief AI Officers, Risk Committees), you will audit AI delivery claims, challenge unviable timelines, and pinpoint whether project delays stem from data quality or pipeline bottlenecks.

What You’ll Do

• Drive AI Data Readiness & Strategy: Audit core banking databases, event streams, and feature stores to evaluate data completeness, latency, and structural readiness for AI model training and inferencing; drive targeted remediation roadmaps.
• Assess AI Use-Case Feasibility: Rigorously evaluate proposed Generative AI, RAG, agentic, and predictive ML use cases—testing data availability, volume, privacy controls, and real-time access feasibility before project investment.
• Define Model Data Requirements: Specify exact feature schemas, context architectures, and data pipeline contracts required for specific AI models, ensuring delivery squads build strictly to these requirements.
• Embed Responsible AI Data Governance: Establish and enforce frameworks covering data usage rights, consent, PII masking, tokenization, data lineage, bias mitigation, and regional regulatory compliance (such as UAE PDPL and Central Bank rules).
• Power Mobile & Digital Journeys: Ensure real-time telemetry from mobile apps, internet banking, and digital onboarding flows are ingested, structured, and contextualized for predictive analytics, hyper-personalization, and AI agents.
• Assure SteerCo Content & Challenge Claims: Review and assure all AI-related content in Steering Committee (SteerCo) packs, challenge unrealistic AI estimates and timelines, and diagnose whether project slippages are data-related.

As an AI consultancy, our greatest asset is the expertise of our people. While technical mastery is the foundation of what we do, the ability to bridge the gap between complex data science and actionable business value is what defines your success with us. We're looking for individuals who are not only world-class in their fields of specialism, but also compelling communicators and persuasive advocates for their own skills. You will be the face of our firm, tasked with building trust, articulating the "why" behind your technical decisions, and effectively "selling" your vision to high-level stakeholders. If you thrive on the challenge of presenting cutting-edge solutions as much as you do on building them, you will fit right in.

Requirements
What We’re Looking For

• Proven Track Record: 10+ years of technology leadership spanning data architecture, data science, or AI platform delivery, with 4+ years leading data foundations or governance for AI/ML initiatives in consultancies or enterprise banks.
• Retail Banking Expertise: Solid background delivering data platforms or AI use cases within Retail Banking (RBG) environments.
• Digital Journeys & Mobile Apps: Experience leveraging mobile interaction telemetry and digital customer journey data for real-time AI, personalization, or predictive decisioning engines.
• AI/ML Data Foundations Mastery: Deep expertise in feature store design, RAG vector embeddings, synthetic data generation, real-time event streaming (Kafka), and data quality monitoring for ML pipelines.
• Exceptional Communication Skills: World-class verbal, written, and visual communication capabilities; adept at translating complex data science concepts into clear executive narratives.
• Senior Stakeholder Gravitas: Proven ability to present to C-level executives (CTO, Chief AI Officer, Chief Risk Officer), challenge unviable AI hype, and defend governance controls under scrutiny.

What Gives You an Edge

• Advanced Degree: Master’s or Ph.D. in Data Science, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• AI & Cloud Certifications: AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty, Azure AI Engineer Associate, Databricks Certified ML Professional, or recognized AI Governance/Ethics credentials.
• GCC / UAE Banking Exposure: Direct experience leading AI data initiatives for major financial institutions in the UAE or GCC region.

Benefits
The benefits you'll enjoy as part of this role include:

• Competitive salary
• Comprehensive 'Gold Level' personal health insurance
• Individual Visa Sponsorship
• Professional development and certification support
• Subscription reimbursement relating to your role
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge AI projects
• Monthly Employee Incentive program
• Career advancement opportunities in a rapidly growing AI company

This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of AI implementation while working with a talented team of professionals at the forefront of technological innovation. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in driving our company's success in delivering transformative AI solutions to our clients.

We recognise that diversity drives innovation. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where individuals with different thinking styles can thrive and contribute their unique strengths to our specialised AI and data solutions. Our goal is to ensure our application and interview process is accessible, predictable, and fair for all candidates. If you require any specific adjustments, please let us know. This information will be kept strictly confidential and will not impact hiring decisions.