Head of Data & AI

Head of Data & AI

Manchester - Permanent

A high-growth, customer-focused organisation is seeking a commercially minded Head of Data & AI to lead the next phase of its data, analytics and artificial intelligence transformation.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced data professional who can combine strategic vision with hands-on technical expertise. You will be responsible for shaping enterprise-wide data strategy, developing a high-performing team, modernising data platforms and delivering AI-driven solutions that create measurable business value.

Working closely with executive stakeholders, you will drive the adoption of data, analytics, automation and AI capabilities across the organisation, ensuring trusted data supports decision-making at every level.

Key responsibilities:

• Developing and delivering a multi-year data, analytics and AI strategy.
• Leading and growing a data team spanning engineering, analytics, reporting and emerging AI capabilities.
• Owning the organisation's data platform, ensuring scalability, security, reliability and cost efficiency.
• Driving the evolution of reporting and business intelligence capabilities.
• Identifying and implementing practical AI and automation opportunities.
• Acting as the senior advisor on data strategy to executive leadership.

Essential Experience:

• Significant experience leading data engineering, analytics and data science functions.
• Proven track record of managing and developing technical teams.
• Strong hands-on knowledge of SQL and Python.
• Experience designing and operating modern data warehouses, lakehouses and enterprise reporting solutions.
• Expertise in cloud-based Microsoft Azure and/or Snowflake.
• Experience delivering complex data migration and transformation programmes.
• Strong understanding of data governance, security, privacy and operational support.

What's on Offer

• Opportunity to shape and execute an enterprise-wide Data & AI strategy.
• High visibility with executive leadership.
• Significant influence over technology, data and AI direction.
• A genuine opportunity to build and mature data capabilities.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Long-term career growth within an ambitious organisation.