Lead AI Data Scientist

Exclaim IT; Australian Capital Territory; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Exclaim IT is seeking a Lead Data Scientist (EL1) to guide the design, development and delivery of advanced AI/ML solutions for a Federal Government client in Australia. The role will shape problem definition, data preparation, model development, deployment and continuous improvement within a complex government environment.

You will oversee end-to-end model lifecycles, establish best practices, and ensure AI/ML solutions are scalable, secure and aligned with organisational objectives,

Qualifications

• Experience applying data governance, data management and data quality practices to ensure the integrity, security and usability of enterprise data assets.
• Experience applying responsible AI principles, including ethical considerations, privacy, transparency, risk assessment and mitigation.
• Experience managing data science, analytics or machine learning projects, including scope, scheduling, stakeholder engagement, risk and governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development and implementation of AI, machine learning and advanced analytics solutions to address complex business challenges.
• Oversee end-to-end data science activities, including data acquisition, integration, transformation, feature engineering, modelling and production deployment.
• Design and implement generative AI, Large Language Model (LLM) and agentic AI solutions, ensuring performance, reliability, scalability and cost efficiency.
• Establish robust evaluation frameworks, testing methodologies and quality assurance processes to assess model performance and effectiveness.
• Lead the deployment, monitoring and continuous improvement of analytical and machine learning solutions across the model lifecycle.

Job description

About the role

Our Federal Government client is seeking an experienced Lead Data Scientist (EL1) to lead the design, development and delivery of advanced data science, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) solutions within a complex government environment.

In this role, you will apply advanced analytical, statistical and computational techniques to transform structured and unstructured data into actionable insights, improve operational workflows and support strategic decision-making.

Working closely with technical teams, business stakeholders and senior leadership, you will oversee the end-to-end model lifecycle, from problem definition and data preparation through to development, deployment, evaluation and continuous improvement.

You will also provide technical leadership, establish best practices and ensure AI and machine learning solutions are scalable, reliable, secure and aligned with organisational objectives.

This role is open to QLD, ACT, VIC, SA, TAS candidates.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the design, development and implementation of AI, machine learning and advanced analytics solutions to address complex business challenges.
• Oversee end-to-end data science activities, including data acquisition, integration, transformation, feature engineering, modelling and production deployment.
• Design and implement generative AI, Large Language Model (LLM) and agentic AI solutions, ensuring performance, reliability, scalability and cost efficiency.
• Establish robust evaluation frameworks, testing methodologies and quality assurance processes to assess model performance and effectiveness.
• Lead the deployment, monitoring and continuous improvement of analytical and machine learning solutions across the model lifecycle.
• Develop and optimise data pipelines, analytical environments and CI/CD processes to support production-ready solutions.
• Apply advanced statistical analysis and modelling techniques to identify trends, patterns and actionable business insights.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to understand business requirements, define analytical approaches and communicate technical findings.
• Establish and maintain data science standards, technical documentation, governance frameworks and responsible AI practices.
• Identify and manage technical, operational, ethical and data-related risks associated with AI and machine learning solutions.
• Provide technical guidance, mentoring and quality assurance reviews to support team capability and delivery standards.
• Lead team priorities, resource allocation and delivery activities to achieve business and strategic outcomes.

Desirable criteria

• Experience applying data governance, data management and data quality practices to ensure the integrity, security and usability of enterprise data assets.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications or professional certifications in data science, computer science, statistics, mathematics, machine learning, artificial intelligence or related disciplines.
• Experience applying responsible AI principles, including ethical considerations, privacy, transparency, risk assessment and mitigation.
• Experience managing data science, analytics or machine learning projects, including scope, scheduling, stakeholder engagement, risk and governance.
• Knowledge of industry best practices, emerging AI technologies and modern approaches to data science and machine learning.
• Experience working with complex enterprise data environments and integrating analytical solutions with existing business systems.

Skills and experience

• Demonstrated experience leading the development and deployment of data science solutions within complex organisational environments, delivering measurable business outcomes.
• Proven leadership experience translating ambiguous business challenges into practical AI and machine learning solutions while managing stakeholders, risks and dependencies.
• Hands-on experience designing, developing, deploying and monitoring generative AI, LLM or agentic AI solutions within enterprise environments.
• Strong experience in machine learning, statistical modelling, advanced analytics and their application to complex datasets and business problems.
• Experience developing and operationalising machine learning models, data engineering solutions and automated data pipelines.
• Proficiency in relevant programming languages and analytical tools, with experience applying software engineering practices, version control, automated testing and secure development standards.
• Strong understanding of CI/CD integration, model deployment, monitoring and lifecycle management.
• Experience with relational, dimensional and big data modelling, data profiling, data transformation and visualisation techniques.
• Ability to establish performance measures and reporting frameworks covering model accuracy, data quality, operational risks, business value and solution adoption.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach and mentor technical professionals while driving quality outcomes and continuous improvement.
• Experience establishing scalable, reproducible and reliable data science environments and solutions.

Benefits

• Opportunity to lead high-impact AI, machine learning and data science initiatives within a complex government environment.
• Work with emerging technologies, including generative AI, LLMs and agentic AI.
• Influence strategic decision-making and contribute to enterprise-wide data and AI capabilities.
• Take ownership of end-to-end solution delivery, from technical design through to production implementation.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary technical teams, senior stakeholders and business leaders.
• Opportunity to provide technical leadership, mentor team members and shape data science best practices.

Please note that a National Police Check might be required as part of pre-employment screening.