Senior Director of Data & AI

DISCOVERED; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading data analytics firm in Abu Dhabi is seeking a seasoned professional to lead their enterprise-wide data, analytics, and AI agenda. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in data functions, proven success in building large-scale data platforms, and the ability to collaborate with senior stakeholders to drive strategic initiatives. The position supports relocation for overseas candidates, offering a competitive opportunity to shape data-driven decisions across the organization.

Benefits

Relocation support

Qualifications

• 10+ years in data/analytics/AI functions.
• Proven experience building large-scale enterprise data platforms.
• Expertise in Azure/AWS/GCP, MLOps, cloud architecture.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the Data & AI strategy aligned with business goals.
• Oversee enterprise data platforms and integration layers.
• Lead advanced analytics, predictive models, and AI use cases.

Skills

Data engineering

Analytics

AI/ML

Data governance

Business acumen

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering

Master’s degree

Tools

Azure

AWS

GCP

Job description

In this role you will lead the enterprise-wide data, analytics, and AI agenda. You will be owning strategy, governance, and priorities to drive performance and enable better decision‑making across the organisation.

Job Responsibilities:

Data Strategy, Governance & Architecture

• Define and lead the Data & AI strategy aligned with business goals and long-term scalability.
• Establish data governance covering ownership, metadata, quality, security, and access.
• Oversee enterprise data platforms (data lakehouse, warehouse, integration layers, analytics tools).

Analytics, AI/ML Enablement & Business Value Realization

• Lead advanced analytics, predictive models, ML solutions and AI use cases.
• Collaborate with business leaders on high-impact opportunities and prioritization.
• Oversee BI dashboards, self‑serve analytics tools, and data products for decision‑making.
• Ensure AI/ML governance, ethical principles, monitoring, and lifecycle management.
• Drive business value and maximize ROI from analytics initiatives.

Data Platform Delivery, Operations & Performance

• Oversee engineering, ETL pipelines, model development, ERP/app platform integration.
• Manage platform reliability, security, cost optimization (cloud/on‑prem).
• Lead technology vendor management and oversee AI/ML/data platform contracts.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering.
• 10+ years in data/analytics/AI functions; proven experience building large‑scale enterprise data platforms and delivering AI/ML solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree.
• 15+ years in senior leadership roles in data/analytics/AI.
• Expertise across Azure/AWS/GCP, MLOps, cloud architecture, enterprise data frameworks.

Preferred Skills

• Deep expertise in data engineering, analytics, AI/ML, data governance.
• Strong business acumen and ability to translate business needs into data solutions.
• Influences senior stakeholders and drives enterprise‑wide decisions.
• Vendor management, SLA governance, contract negotiation.

Relocation support provided if candidate is oversea's. Apply now!