We are seeking a highly skilled and hands-on Head of Data and AI to lead our data strategy, analytics, and AI initiatives within a rapidly growing SaaS business. This role will be responsible for overseeing data operations, working closely with product and engineering teams to drive data-driven decision-making, and ensuring the technical delivery of advanced AI models, particularly focusing on Large Language Models (LLMs). The successful candidate will have extensive experience working in an Azure environment, leading data engineering efforts, and managing a small team of data professionals.

Responsibilities

• Data Strategy and Execution:
  • Define and implement the data and AI strategy in alignment with business and product objectives.
  • Collaborate with product teams to deliver data-driven insights, enabling enhanced product development and customer experience.
  • Lead data engineering and analytics efforts to build scalable data pipelines, reporting solutions, and AI models.
• AI and Advanced Analytics:
  • Develop and deploy AI models, with a strong focus on Large Language Models (LLMs) and natural language processing (NLP) applications.
  • Explore and integrate cutting-edge AI and machine learning technologies into the business, driving product innovation and customer solutions.
• Technical Delivery and Engineering Collaboration:
  • Work closely with the engineering function to oversee the technical delivery of data projects, ensuring seamless integration within the full Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
  • Champion CI/CD processes for data and AI pipelines to ensure continuous improvements and faster iterations.
• Team Leadership and Mentorship:
  • Manage, mentor, and develop a team of data professionals, including a Data Engineer and Data Analyst specializing in Power BI.
  • Provide guidance on best practices in data management, analytics, and reporting.
• Data Infrastructure Management:
  • Oversee the design, development, and maintenance of scalable, secure, and high-performance data architectures within the Azure stack (e.g., Azure Data Lake, Azure Synapse, Azure SQL Database, Azure Machine Learning, Azure Data Factory).
• Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Act as the key liaison between data, product, and engineering teams, effectively communicating technical information and insights to non-technical stakeholders.
  • Translate business requirements into technical solutions, ensuring alignment with broader business goals.
• Governance and Compliance:
  • Establish data governance, data quality, and compliance standards in alignment with industry best practices and regulatory requirements.

Required Skills & Experience

• Technical Expertise
  • Strong hands-on experience with the Azure data ecosystem, including tools such as Azure Data Factory, Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Data Lake, Azure SQL Database, Azure Machine Learning.
  • Proficiency in managing and optimizing large-scale data pipelines, ETL processes, and data infrastructure within the Azure environment.
  • Experience evaluating new tools both within Azure and externally. Has a best tool for the job mindset.
• AI/ML Proficiency:
  • Extensive experience in developing and deploying AI/ML models, with specific expertise in Large Language Models (LLMs), NLP, and machine learning algorithms.
  • Knowledge of AI tools and frameworks, such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, Azure Machine Learning, and experience with AI integration in SaaS products.
• Full SDLC Understanding:
  • Comprehensive understanding of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and experience in leading data projects from concept to deployment, including adherence to CI/CD methodologies.
• Team Leadership:
  • Proven experience in leading and mentoring data teams, with the ability to foster collaboration and guide both a Data Engineer and Data Analyst towards achieving high performance.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships across teams and functions.
• Data-Driven Mindset:
  • Ability to derive actionable insights from data and guide product teams on how to leverage these insights for product improvement and strategic decision-making.
• Business Acumen:
  • Strong understanding of SaaS business models, metrics, and KPIs, with the ability to align data and AI initiatives to business growth and product innovation.
• Data Visualization and Reporting:
  • Familiarity with Power BI for advanced data visualization and reporting, with a track record of building effective dashboards and reports.
• Governance and Security:
  • Knowledge of data governance, compliance, and security best practices, particularly within a cloud-based environment.
    

Key Competencies

• Strategic Leadership: Ability to define and implement a data and AI strategy aligned with business objectives.
• AI/ML Expertise: Strong experience with AI/ML technologies, particularly in deploying Large Language Models (LLMs) and natural language processing (NLP) applications.
• Azure Technical Proficiency: Extensive hands-on experience with the Azure ecosystem (Azure Data Factory, Azure Synapse, Azure Data Lake, Azure SQL, Azure Machine Learning).
• Data Engineering & Analytics: Proven ability to build scalable data pipelines and reporting solutions, optimize large-scale data infrastructures, and lead data engineering efforts.
• Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) Understanding: Comprehensive knowledge of the SDLC, particularly in integrating data projects within CI/CD pipelines.
• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Experience in managing, mentoring, and developing small data teams, guiding them in best practices for data management, analytics, and AI initiatives.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Skilled at working with product, engineering, and other non-technical stakeholders to communicate technical insights and deliver data-driven solutions.
• Governance & Compliance: Knowledge of data governance, quality, and security practices, ensuring alignment with industry standards and regulatory compliance.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Strong ability to derive actionable insights from data to drive product development and business strategies.
• Business Acumen in SaaS: Understanding of SaaS business models, metrics, and KPIs, aligning data strategies with product innovation and business growth.
• Data Visualization & Reporting: Proficiency in data visualization tools like Power BI for creating impactful dashboards and reports.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years of hands-on experience in a data and AI leadership role, preferably within a SaaS or technology-driven business.
• Extensive experience in working with Azure cloud technologies.
• Strong understanding of AI/ML technologies, especially in deploying and managing LLMs.

What's in it for You?

• EMI company share scheme, meaning you would own a percentage of shares, turning into significant monetary value in time.
• Competitive salary.
• Westfield Health Care plan.
• 1-2-1 Sanctus coaching sessions to support personal and professional development with proactive mental wellbeing support.
• Fully flexible working.
• A paid day off on your birthday.
• AIG Life insurance.
• Workplace Nursery Benefit.
• Long service awards to celebrate key employment anniversaries.
• Excellent discounts/wider wallet.
• 5% matched contribution pension scheme.
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays (33 days).
• Paid wellbeing days, volunteer days, and study days.
• Quarterly values awards.
• Staff parties and events.
• Modern homeworking tech kit.
• Enhanced maternity & paternity pay.
• And being part of something AMAZING!

Cognassist is a Disability Confident Committed employer, and we welcome your application even if you believe you do not meet all of the above criteria - your unique skills, , and experiences are valued, and your contribution could be exactly what we need to grow together.