At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and scale a global Data & AI Practice, driving growth and innovation.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking tech company at the forefront of Data & AI.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and a chance to shape the future of technology.
- Other info: Ideal for strategic thinkers passionate about innovation and emerging technologies.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in the Data & AI landscape while mentoring high-performing teams.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in Data, AI, or Digital Transformation with strong leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
We are seeking a highly accomplished Data & AI leader to build, scale, and lead a global Data & AI Practice. This executive leadership role is responsible for driving business growth, owning practice P&L, defining market-leading offerings, leading customer advisory engagements, shaping large transformation deals, and establishing a strong market presence through thought leadership and strategic partnerships.
The ideal candidate combines deep hands-on expertise in data architecture and AI with strong commercial leadership, enabling organizations to accelerate their data modernization and AI transformation journeys.
Key Responsibilities- Own and drive the global Data & AI Practice strategy, revenue growth, profitability, and market expansion.
- Define and commercialize Data & AI offerings across Data Modernization, Cloud Data Platforms, AI/ML Engineering, Generative AI, Agentic AI, and LLMOps.
- Lead global go-to-market initiatives, presales strategy, and large deal pursuits.
- Act as a trusted advisor to C-suite stakeholders, including CIOs, CTOs, CDOs, and Chief AI Officers.
- Develop and manage strategic partnerships with hyperscalers and leading data and AI technology providers.
- Build and mentor high-performing global teams across advisory, architecture, presales, and practice management functions.
- Drive innovation, thought leadership, and market positioning through industry engagement, executive workshops, and strategic consulting initiatives.
- 15+ years of experience in Data, Analytics, AI, or Digital Transformation, including 5+ years in Practice Leadership, Business Unit Leadership, or P&L ownership roles.
- Proven track record of building and scaling Data & AI practices within consulting, system integration, or technology services organizations.
- Demonstrated success in winning and leading large-scale transformation programs valued between $10M and $100M+.
- Strong commercial expertise in business development, revenue growth, deal shaping, pricing strategy, and margin management.
- Hands-on background as a Data Architect, Enterprise Architect, Solution Architect, or equivalent technical leadership role.
- Deep expertise in modern data architectures including Lakehouse, Data Mesh, Data Warehousing, and cloud-native data platforms.
- Strong knowledge of AI/ML, MLOps, LLMOps, Generative AI, Agentic AI, and enterprise AI adoption frameworks.
- Experience with major cloud platforms including Microsoft Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud Platform.
- Proven ability to engage and influence executive stakeholders and translate business challenges into technology-driven outcomes.
- Experience leading globally distributed teams across multiple regions and cultures.
- Advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or a related field.
- Industry certifications in Cloud, Enterprise Architecture, Data Engineering, or AI/ML technologies.
- Established thought leadership through public speaking, published content, analyst engagement, or executive advisory experience.
- Experience in Telecommunications, Media, Technology, Banking, Healthcare, or other large enterprise sectors.
- Knowledge of Responsible AI, AI Governance, GDPR, EU AI Act, and enterprise compliance frameworks.
- Strategic and commercial mindset with strong business ownership capabilities.
- Practitioner-level technical credibility combined with executive leadership presence.
- Ability to create differentiated market offerings and drive global growth.
- Strong stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills.
- Passion for innovation and emerging technologies in Data & AI.
Head of Data & AI Practice in Belfast employer: IBU
As a leading player in the Data & AI sector, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that encourages innovation and collaboration. Our global presence offers unparalleled opportunities for professional growth, with access to cutting-edge technologies and strategic partnerships that empower our employees to drive impactful transformations. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team where your expertise will shape the future of data and AI solutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Data & AI Practice in Belfast
✨Get Involved in Data Science Meetups
Tap into local data science meetups or workshops to connect with fellow enthusiasts and professionals. These events are goldmines for networking, and sometimes even lead directly to job openings at companies like IBU!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Start building a public portfolio showcasing your data science projects on platforms like GitHub or personal websites. Highlight unique analyses or models you've developed. This not only demonstrates your skills but also gets your name out there for roles like Head of Data & AI Practice at IBU.
✨Leverage Professional Networks
Join professional bodies related to data science, like the Data Science Society or similar organisations. Getting involved can lead to mentorship opportunities and insider knowledge about full-time positions at companies like IBU.
✨Apply Directly through Our Website
When you find a suitable opening like Head of Data & AI Practice at IBU, make sure to apply directly through our website. It gives you an edge and shows you're keen to join our team. Plus, who doesn’t love a direct application? It’s easier than navigating through job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Data & AI Practice in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Projects:In the world of data science, your projects can speak volumes about your skills. Make sure to showcase a few key projects in your CV or portfolio, especially those that highlight your ability to work with data sets, build models, or use relevant tools like Python, R, or SQL. Don’t forget to include links to any GitHub repositories if applicable!
Quantify Your Achievements:Employers love numbers! When drafting your CV, highlight your achievements with quantifiable results. For instance, mention how your data analysis led to a certain percentage increase in efficiency or revenue at a previous job or project. These details can really make your application pop!
Craft a Tailored Cover Letter:For a full-time role at IBU, your cover letter should reflect your passion for data science and your excitement about the specific projects or values of the company. Dive into why you’re a good fit, how your skills align with their needs, and any unique perspectives you can bring to the team.
Stand Out with Relevant Courses and Certifications:Although experience talks, relevant courses or certifications can be your ticket to impressing hiring managers at IBU. Mention any standout courses you've completed that equipped you with essential skills, such as machine learning certifications or data visualisation courses. This shows your commitment to continuously developing your skills in the field!
How to prepare for a job interview at IBU
✨Brush Up on Your Statistics
For a data science role, we need to seriously sharpen our statistics skills. Get ready to tackle technical questions on probability distributions, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis. These are often the bread and butter of data science interviews, so don't just skim over them!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Prepare a killer portfolio showcasing your data science projects. We should include details about the datasets used, the tools and techniques applied, and the impact of your findings. If we can walk them through a particularly challenging project or a cool visualisation that had real-world implications, it’ll really make us stand out!
✨Get Comfortable with Python and R
Most data science positions require us to be proficient in programming languages like Python and R. We should practice common libraries like pandas, NumPy, and scikit-learn, and be ready for live coding exercises or algorithm questions. Showing off our coding chops can really impress the interviewers at IBU!
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to encounter real-world case studies during the interview. We might be asked how we’d approach a data problem or analyse a dataset to extract insights. It's essential to think out loud and demonstrate our problem-solving process so that the interviewer can see our logical thinking in action.
