Head of Data & AI

Salt; Dubai; On-site; AED 600,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Salt in Dubai seeks a Head of Data & AI to lead the organisation's data, analytics and AI agenda from the front. You will shape and execute the Data & AI strategy, drive AI adoption, and strengthen data governance to turn data into measurable educational outcomes.

You will work closely with executive leadership, technology teams and business stakeholders to identify opportunities where data and AI can improve decision-making, operational efficiency and student outcomes.

Qualifications

• 10–15+ years of experience across data, technology, analytics or related fields.
• 8+ years of experience in Data & AI, with significant leadership responsibility.
• Proven experience developing and executing data and AI strategies within a complex organisation.
• Demonstrable experience taking AI initiatives from strategy through to implementation and measurable outcomes.
• Strong understanding of data governance, analytics, data management and emerging AI technologies.
• Experience within education, EdTech, schools or another complex multi-site organisation.

Responsibilities

• Own and drive the Data & AI strategy, ensuring it aligns with the organisation's wider business and educational objectives.
• Lead the identification, prioritisation and implementation of AI and GenAI use cases across the organisation.
• Build a strong data-driven culture, helping business and education teams understand and adopt data and AI effectively.
• Lead data analytics and insights initiatives, developing KPIs, dashboards and reporting that support better decision-making.
• Establish and maintain strong data governance, quality, privacy and security practices.

Skills

Data strategy

AI leadership

Data governance

Stakeholder management

Analytics

Tools

iSAMS

PowerSchool

Job description

Head of Data & AI | Dubai

My client, a leading education group in the UAE, is looking for a Head of Data & AI to lead its data, analytics and AI agenda across the organisation.

This is a senior leadership role responsible for developing and executing the organisation’s Data & AI strategy, driving the adoption of AI, strengthening data governance and turning data into measurable business and educational outcomes.

The successful candidate will work closely with executive leadership, technology teams and business stakeholders to identify opportunities where data and AI can improve decision-making, operational efficiency and outcomes for students, teachers and the wider organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and drive the Data & AI strategy, ensuring it aligns with the organisation's wider business and educational objectives.
• Lead the identification, prioritisation and implementation of AI and GenAI use cases across the organisation.
• Build a strong data-driven culture, helping business and education teams understand and adopt data and AI effectively.
• Lead data analytics and insights initiatives, developing KPIs, dashboards and reporting that support better decision-making.
• Establish and maintain strong data governance, quality, privacy and security practices.

Education Technology

Experience working with School Information Systems / Management Information Systems would be highly valuable, particularly iSAMS and/or PowerSchool.

The successful candidate should understand how education data can be leveraged across areas such as student performance, admissions, attendance, operations, engagement and organisational reporting.

What We're Looking For

• 10–15+ years of experience across data, technology, analytics or related fields.
• 8+ years of experience in Data & AI, with significant leadership responsibility.
• Proven experience developing and executing data and AI strategies within a complex organisation.
• Demonstrable experience taking AI initiatives from strategy through to implementation and measurable outcomes.
• Strong understanding of data governance, analytics, data management and emerging AI technologies.
• Experience within education, EdTech, schools or another complex multi-site organisation