Chief Data Officer | Retail | Corporate | UAE

Robinson & Co (Singapore) Pte Ltd; Dubai; On-site; AED 400,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

A diversified regional business in Dubai seeks a Chief Data Officer to drive data and AI strategies enhancing business performance and customer engagement. The ideal candidate will shape data-driven initiatives and work closely with cross-functional teams to translate priorities into actionable plans. A Master’s degree and 12-15 years of relevant experience are required, with a strong focus on strategic leadership and business acumen.

Qualifications

• 12-15 years in data strategy, analytics, or transformation roles.
• At least 5 years in senior leadership.
• Experience in retail or adjacent sectors with complex data ecosystems.

Responsibilities

• Drive enterprise-wide initiatives leveraging data and AI.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for data-driven strategies.
• Manage a portfolio of data and AI programs.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Business Acumen

Data Governance & Ethics

Stakeholder Engagement

Change Management

AI Literacy & Enablement

Portfolio Oversight

Education

Master’s degree in business administration, Data Science, Economics, or a related field

Job description

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Chief Data Officer | Retail | Corporate | UAE

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions: automotive, financial services, real estate, retail, and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. The Group’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enable it to continue to grow and expand, responding to the changing needs of its customers within the societies in which it operates.

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration, and integrity, Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day.

Overview of the role

In a rapidly evolving data and AI landscape, Al-Futtaim Retail is committed to leading transformation across the real estate sector by harnessing the strategic power of data and artificial intelligence.

The Chief Data Officer will be responsible for driving enterprise-wide initiatives that leverage data and AI to enhance business performance, elevate customer engagement, and unlock new growth opportunities.

This role focuses on enabling business transformation—not just through technical execution, but by shaping and steering data-driven strategies that align with the Retail Division’s commercial objectives. The Chief Data Officer will lead the development of AI-enabled products and services, ensuring data becomes a core enabler of innovation, operational excellence, and competitive advantage.

The individual will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams—including business leaders, marketing, data practitioners, and the Group Technology & Digital Platforms (GTDP) team—to translate strategic priorities into scalable data and AI initiatives. They will ensure that business needs are clearly articulated and solutions are designed to deliver measurable impact.

This role also involves engaging with executive leadership, functional heads, external partners, and vendors to foster alignment, drive adoption, and ensure successful delivery of data-led transformation programs.

What you will do:

Description of Accountability:

Financial Dimensions:

The Chief Data Officer of Retail will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing Al-Futtaim Retail’s data and AI strategy to unlock new sources of business value. By embedding data and AI capabilities across the business portfolio, this role directly contributes to both top-line growth and bottom-line efficiency.

Through strategic planning and leadership of data-driven transformation initiatives, the role will enable:

• Revenue Expansion: Identifying and activating AI-powered opportunities to enhance customer engagement, personalize offerings, and open new service lines.
• Cost Optimization: Streamlining operations, improving decision-making, and automating processes through data intelligence.
• Value Realization: Leveraging data assets to drive measurable business outcomes across functions such as sales, leasing, asset management, and customer experience.

This role is responsible for guiding the strategic direction of data and AI initiatives and ensuring their financial impact is tracked, reported, and aligned with broader commercial goals.

• Strategic Leadership: Developing and executing a data and AI strategy that supports business growth, operational efficiency, and customer-centric innovation.
• Transformation Enablement: Championing data-driven transformation initiatives, embedding data and AI capabilities into core business processes, decision-making, and service delivery.
• Business Alignment: Collaborating with senior leadership to identify high-impact opportunities where data and AI can deliver measurable outcomes, such as revenue growth, cost savings, and risk mitigation.
• Portfolio Oversight: Managing a portfolio of data and AI programs, ensuring alignment with priorities and cross-functional dependencies to deliver value at scale.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Acting as a bridge between business units and data teams, translating strategic objectives into actionable initiatives and ensuring stakeholder buy-in and adoption.
• Governance & Ethics: Establishing data governance frameworks, ensuring compliance, and promoting ethical AI use.
• Innovation & Thought Leadership: Staying ahead of industry trends and providing strategic guidance on leveraging data and AI innovations to maintain competitive advantage.
• Culture Building: Fostering a culture of data literacy, innovation, and continuous improvement, empowering teams to use data as a strategic asset.

Required Skills to be successful:

• Strategic Leadership: Ability to define and execute a data and AI strategy aligned with business transformation goals.
• Business Acumen: Deep understanding of retail operations, value drivers, and how data can unlock efficiencies and growth.
• Data Governance & Ethics: Expertise in establishing governance frameworks, ensuring compliance, and promoting ethical AI use.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Skilled in translating business needs into data initiatives and securing cross-functional buy-in.
• Change Management: Proven ability to lead cultural and operational shifts toward data-driven decision-making.
• AI Literacy & Enablement: Familiarity with AI concepts (LLMs, ML, GenAI) and guiding non-technical teams in their adoption.
• Portfolio Oversight: Experience managing a portfolio of data and AI initiatives across multiple business units.

What equips you for the role:

• Master’s degree in business administration, Data Science, Economics, or a related field
• Participation in executive data literacy programs and AI strategy workshops is highly valued.
• 12–15 years in data strategy, analytics, or transformation roles, with at least 5 years in senior leadership.
• Experience in retail or adjacent sectors with complex data ecosystems.
• Proven success in leading enterprise-wide data modernization or AI-driven transformation programs.
• Proven track record of working with finance, operations, marketing, and technology teams to deliver business outcomes.

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Before you click “apply”: Please read the job description carefully to ensure you can confidently demonstrate why this opportunity is right for you and take the time to put together a well-crafted and personalized CV to boost your visibility. Our global Talent Acquisition team members are assigned to specific businesses to ensure the best matches between talent and opportunities. We consider skills, behaviors, and alignment with our Values of Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence.

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