Description

Head of Data & AI Platforms & Engineering | London | Permanent | Hybrid

A market-leading organisation is hiring a Head of Data & AI Platforms & Engineering to lead a large-scale transformation of its data landscape.

This is a senior, business-critical leadership role focused on designing and operating modern, enterprise-grade data platforms that power analytics, reporting, and AI across a complex global environment.

You'll be stepping into a function that's receiving significant investment and executive backing, with a clear mandate to modernise, scale, and future-proof its data and AI capabilities.

It's a rare opportunity to influence both long-term strategy and real-time platform performance in a highly visible role.

You'll take ownership of end-to-end data platform capability, combining strategic leadership with hands-on oversight of delivery and operations.

This includes:

• Shaping and executing the data & AI platform vision and roadmap
• Defining architecture, standards, and engineering best practice
• Leading complex platform modernisation and transformation initiatives
• Ensuring robust day-to-day platform operations across critical systems
• Driving improvements in performance, scalability, resilience, and security
• Embedding best-in-class data governance, lineage, quality, and observability
• Overseeing service management (SLAs, incident response, monitoring)
• Building and leading high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams
• Managing third-party technology partners and delivery vendors
• Acting as a key partner to senior stakeholders across Technology and the Business

• Experienced leader in data platform / engineering environments at enterprise scale
• Strong background in cloud-based data ecosystems and modern architectures
• Proven success delivering large transformation programmes alongside BAU ownership
• Deep understanding of risk, governance, and regulatory considerations in data
• Comfortable leading large, distributed teams and external suppliers
• Strong communicator with the ability to influence and challenge senior stakeholders
• Pragmatic mindset - able to balance innovation, cost, and operational stability

• Complex, global technology landscape
• Mix of legacy modernisation and greenfield platform build
• Strong focus on enabling AI and advanced analytics at scale
• Hybrid operating model (internal teams + strategic partners)