Data Science Manager

Artefact; Jeddah; On-site; SAR 350,000 - 650,000; Full time

Job summary

Artefact is seeking an experienced Senior Data Scientist / Data Science Manager to lead advanced AI projects and guide client engagements. You will translate business problems into scalable data science solutions and drive delivery from discovery to implementation.

In this senior, client-facing role you will mentor teams, shape technical strategy, and collaborate with stakeholders across our global network to deliver measurable business impact using Generative AI, Azure services, and modern ML

Qualifications

• Senior-level experience in Data Science, Machine Learning, AI, or a related field.
• Master's degree in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• Strong hands-on technical background across Machine Learning, Data Science, and AI.
• Strong practical knowledge of Generative AI, Large Language Models (LLMs), and AI Agents / agentic AI architectures.
• Experience translating business problems into technical AI/ML solutions and selecting the appropriate models, architectures, and approaches.

Responsibilities

• Lead AI & Data Science projects from problem definition through delivery.
• Translate business challenges into AI/ML solutions, architectures, models, and use cases.
• Evaluate technical approaches based on business value, feasibility, scalability, and performance.
• Ensure quality and measurable client impact across projects.
• Identify risks and communicate them clearly to stakeholders.

Skills

Senior data science

Client-facing

Leadership

Azure ecosystem

ML/AI

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Machine Learning / related field

Tools

Azure AI services

Azure data services

ML frameworks

Job description

Artefact is a global data and AI consulting company dedicated to transforming data into business impact across organisations.

We combine deep expertise in data science, artificial intelligence, data engineering, and business consulting to help our clients accelerate their transformation and turn complex challenges into tangible solutions. With teams across 20+ offices globally, we bring together data scientists, engineers, analysts, consultants, and digital experts to design and deliver impactful data and AI solutions for leading organisations.

About the role

We are looking for an experienced Senior Data Scientist / Data Science Manager to join our team and take a leading role in delivering advanced AI and Data Science projects.

This is a senior, client-facing position requiring a strong combination of technical depth, business understanding, and consulting skills. We are looking for someone who can go beyond receiving requirements and implementing them - someone who can understand the business problem, challenge assumptions, bring their own point of view, and recommend the right technical approach.

You will work closely with senior client stakeholders and Artefact teams to identify high-impact AI opportunities, translate business challenges into technical solutions, and guide projects from initial use-case definition through implementation and delivery.

Your responsibilities:

Lead AI & Data Science projects

• Take technical ownership of complex Data Science, AI, and Generative AI projects from problem definition through delivery.
• Translate business challenges into appropriate AI/ML solutions, architectures, models, and use cases.
• Evaluate different technical approaches and recommend solutions based on business value, feasibility, scalability, and performance.
• Ensure the quality and successful delivery of projects while maintaining a strong focus on measurable client impact.
• Identify potential risks, limitations, and trade-offs and communicate them clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Act as a trusted technical advisor

• Work directly with clients to understand their objectives rather than simply implementing predefined requirements.
• Challenge requirements and assumptions when needed and propose alternative approaches where they would lead to better outcomes.
• Bring a strong point of view on AI and Data Science topics and confidently explain the rationale behind technical recommendations.
• Advise clients on how AI, Machine Learning, Generative AI, and AI Agents can realistically be applied to their business challenges.
• Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to senior business and technical stakeholders.

Drive Generative AI & AI Agent solutions

• Design and guide the implementation of Generative AI and AI Agent solutions, including the selection of appropriate models, architectures, tools, and frameworks.
• Assess GenAI use cases and determine the right approach based on the client's requirements and environment.
• Stay current with developments across Generative AI, LLMs, agentic AI, and the broader AI ecosystem, and translate relevant developments into practical client solutions.

Provide technical leadership

• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to Data Scientists and other project team members.
• Review technical approaches and ensure strong engineering and Data Science practices across projects.
• Collaborate closely with Data Engineers, consultants, cloud specialists, and client teams.
• Contribute to the development of Artefact's AI capabilities, methodologies, and best practices.

Qualifications & experience

• Senior-level experience in Data Science, Machine Learning, AI, or a related field, with a proven track record of owning and delivering complex AI/Data Science projects.
• Master's degree in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• Strong hands-on technical background across Machine Learning, Data Science, and AI.
• Strong practical knowledge of Generative AI, Large Language Models (LLMs), and AI Agents / agentic AI architectures.
• Experience translating business problems into technical AI/ML solutions and selecting the appropriate models, architectures, and approaches.
• Strong understanding of data processing, modeling, algorithms, and data architecture.
• Experience working in a consulting or highly client-facing environment is strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding and practical experience with Microsoft Azure and the Microsoft ecosystem is highly preferred.
• Experience with relevant Azure AI and data services is considered a strong advantage.
• Proven ability to independently lead technical discussions and advise senior stakeholders.
• Experience mentoring or technically leading Data Science teams is highly valued, particularly for Manager-level candidates.

Profile & communication

• Fluency in Arabic and strong professional English communication skills are required.
• Strong client-facing and stakeholder-management capabilities.
• Able to communicate highly technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Comfortable challenging client requirements and constructively disagreeing when another approach would be more appropriate.
• Able to form and communicate an independent technical point of view rather than relying solely on predefined requirements.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to structure ambiguous business problems into actionable AI solutions.
• Comfortable operating with a high degree of ownership and autonomy.

What we are looking for

• A Technical Leader: You combine strong hands-on technical knowledge with the ability to guide others and make sound technical decisions.
• A Trusted Advisor: You understand the client's problem, challenge assumptions when necessary, and recommend the approach you believe will create the most value.
• An AI Expert: You have strong knowledge of modern AI, particularly Generative AI and AI Agents, and understand how to turn these technologies into practical solutions.
• A Problem Solver: You can take an ambiguous business challenge, structure it, and determine the right technical path forward.
• A Communicator: You can confidently explain complex ideas, influence technical discussions, and engage with senior stakeholders.
• A Mentor: You help raise the technical level of the people around you and provide guidance to more junior team members.

Why you should join us

At Artefact, you will work at the intersection of AI, data, technology, and business, helping leading organisations solve complex problems and build the next generation of AI-powered solutions.

You will have the opportunity to take ownership of challenging projects, work directly with senior client stakeholders, contribute to strategic AI decisions, and collaborate with experienced Data Science, Engineering, and Consulting teams across our global network.