Head of Data Science - Asset Risk

AlFuttaim; Dubai; On-site; AED 440,690 - 587,587; Full time

Job summary

AlFuttaim in Dubai is looking for a Head of Data Science - Asset Risk to lead the analytics and risk management for their financial services portfolio. This senior role focuses on transforming complex data into actionable insights while fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making.

The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of experience in data science and asset risk, as well as a strong background in the automotive and finance sectors. You will influence key decisions related to pricing, leasing, and capital allocation.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in statistics, data science, asset risk, pricing, forecasting, financial modelling, or portfolio analytics.
• Strong professional background in automotive, asset finance, banking, insurance, leasing, or large portfolio management.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end analytics, forecasting, valuation, and risk intelligence for automotive and financial services portfolios.
• Convert market data, statistical analysis, and portfolio information into financially measurable actions.

Skills

Data science leadership

Asset risk management

Automotive portfolio analytics

Residual value forecasting

Vehicle asset valuation

Market index development

Financial modelling

Predictive analytics

Artificial intelligence

Machine learning

Education

Master's degree in relevant field

Job description

Head of Data Science - Asset Risk in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is a senior financial services leadership opportunity focused on portfolio analytics, asset valuation, forecasting, artificial intelligence, and financial risk management. Al-Futtaim is hiring an experienced leader to transform complex market, vehicle, and portfolio data into clear decisions affecting pricing, leasing, provisioning, capital allocation, profitability, and balance sheet performance.

Position: Head of Data Science - Asset Risk

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Industry: Financial Services

Function: Risk Management

Experience: Minimum 10 years

Job Type: Full-time

Key Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end analytics, forecasting, valuation, and risk intelligence for automotive and financial services portfolios.
• Convert market data, statistical analysis, artificial intelligence, and portfolio information into financially measurable actions.
• Develop analytical recommendations that improve pricing, leasing, profitability, return on assets, and capital efficiency.
• Maintain authoritative market indices for vehicle brands, models, powertrains, customer segments, and asset categories.
• Build and govern current and forward price curves used for residual value assessment and portfolio planning.
• Produce forward-looking scenarios covering market movements, technology shifts, demand changes, and economic conditions.
• Define and enforce an enterprise Asset Risk Framework across relevant portfolios.
• Assess market risk, residual value risk, concentration exposure, price volatility, and electric vehicle transition risk.
• Establish risk thresholds, escalation criteria, monitoring standards, and governance requirements.
• Provide risk-based analytical inputs for IFRS9, expected credit loss, impairment, provisions, and capital planning.
• Support finance and risk teams with scenario analysis, sensitivity testing, and forward-looking portfolio assumptions.
• Ensure valuation, forecasting, and risk models are transparent, reproducible, auditable, and regulator‑ready.
• Maintain clear model documentation covering data sources, assumptions, methodology, validation, controls, and limitations.
• Act as the recognized source for portfolio valuation, forward price risk, stress outcomes, and financial impact analysis.
• Chair Residual Value and Risk Committee meetings and guide stakeholders toward clear commercial decisions.
• Translate advanced statistical findings into concise recommendations for the CFO, CRO, executive management, and board members.
• Influence vehicle pricing strategy, leasing terms, deposit structures, contract duration, and residual value assumptions.
• Support decisions related to portfolio profitability, risk appetite, provisioning, and capital allocation.
• Provide analytical insight for OEM discussions, new vehicle launches, portfolio expansion, and product design.
• Own the AI‑enabled asset intelligence platform supporting data pipelines, valuation engines, forecasting, and risk models.
• Ensure data architecture and analytical workflows provide reliable, timely, and consistent portfolio intelligence.
• Drive improvements in data quality, model performance, scenario capability, reporting automation, and decision speed.
• Lead senior Data Scientists, analytics professionals, and specialist modelling resources.
• Set team priorities, technical standards, development objectives, and quality expectations.
• Review model output and challenge assumptions before findings are presented to senior decision‑makers.
• Coordinate with finance, treasury, credit risk, leasing, automotive, technology, accounting, and executive stakeholders.
• Monitor external developments affecting vehicle values, including electric vehicle adoption, supply levels, interest rates, and consumer demand.
• Evaluate the financial consequences of market disruption and recommend timely portfolio actions.
• Establish performance measures linking analytical work to profit‑and‑loss, balance sheet, and return‑on‑asset outcomes.
• Promote disciplined model governance, responsible AI use, and evidence‑based executive decision‑making.

Ideal Profile

• Minimum 10 years of experience in statistics, data science, asset risk, pricing, forecasting, financial modelling, or portfolio analytics.
• Strong professional background in automotive, asset finance, banking, insurance, leasing, or large portfolio management.
• Demonstrated ownership of analytical models with direct impact on profit‑and‑loss, provisions, pricing, or balance sheet outcomes.
• Advanced knowledge of data science, statistical modelling, predictive analytics, and scenario development.
• Strong understanding of asset valuation, residual value forecasting, market indices, and forward price curves.
• Practical expertise in risk frameworks, portfolio monitoring, concentration analysis, and stress testing.
• Detailed knowledge of IFRS9, expected credit loss, impairment, provisioning, or related financial risk requirements.
• Ability to connect technical model output with capital planning, profitability, and portfolio strategy.
• Experience developing or governing models that must satisfy internal audit, regulatory, and executive scrutiny.
• Proven leadership of senior Data Scientists, analysts, modellers, or risk specialists.
• Confidence engaging with CFO, CRO, executive committee, risk committee, and board‑level stakeholders.
• Ability to explain complex analytical issues in commercially clear and financially relevant language.
• Strong judgment when balancing commercial growth, customer value, portfolio risk, and capital efficiency.
• Experience influencing pricing, lease structures, product launches, OEM relationships, or asset acquisition decisions.
• Ability to lead across finance, risk, automotive, technology, and data functions.
• Strong governance mindset with careful attention to model assumptions, data integrity, documentation, and controls.
• Comfortable operating in a high‑impact role where recommendations influence strategic financial decisions.

Skills Set

• Data science leadership
• Asset risk management
• Automotive portfolio analytics
• Residual value forecasting
• Vehicle asset valuation
• Market index development
• Forward price curves
• Financial modelling
• Statistical analysis
• Predictive analytics
• Artificial intelligence
• Machine learning
• Portfolio risk
• Market risk
• Concentration risk
• Electric vehicle transition risk
• Price volatility analysis
• Scenario modelling
• Stress testing
• IFRS9
• Expected credit loss
• Provisioning analysis
• Capital planning
• Profit‑and‑loss impact
• Balance sheet analysis
• Return on assets
• Pricing strategy
• Lease structure analysis
• Portfolio profitability
• Risk appetite
• Model governance
• Model validation
• Regulatory reporting
• Executive reporting
• Board presentations
• Data pipelines
• Forecasting platforms
• Asset intelligence systems
• Team leadership
• Committee leadership

Why Join Us

This role provides direct influence over high‑value portfolio decisions within a diversified regional business operating across automotive and financial services. The successful leader will shape how data, AI, and risk intelligence are used to protect asset value, improve profitability, support provisioning, and allocate capital. The position offers unusual breadth across data science, finance, asset valuation, risk management, automotive strategy, and executive governance and is well suited to a senior analytical leader seeking responsibility for models and recommendations that materially affect commercial strategy, financial performance, and long‑term portfolio resilience.

About the Company

Al‑Futtaim is a diversified regional business headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with established operations across automotive, financial services, real estate, retail, and healthcare. The group manages large‑scale customer, asset, property, and mobility portfolios across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Within its automotive and financial services activities, Al‑Futtaim uses advanced analytics, asset intelligence, and structured risk management to support pricing, leasing, portfolio investment, provisioning, and capital decisions. This role strengthens that capability by connecting technical modelling with accountable financial outcomes.