Head of Data
We are seeking an accomplished and visionary Head of Data & AI to lead the firm's data strategy, data operations, and AI enablement initiatives. As a 500-person alternative investment manager with diverse strategies, global clients, and increasingly complex data needs, we require a leader who can architect a modern, scalable, and business-aligned data and AI capability. This role will be responsible for building the data operating model, driving adoption of advanced analytics and AI across investment and business functions, and ensuring the firm maximizes the value of its data assets while maintaining robust governance and operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities
1. Data Strategy
- Define and own the firm-wide data strategy, ensuring alignment with investment, risk, distribution, and operational priorities.
- Establish a clear vision for the firm's data architecture, including master data management, data quality frameworks, data cataloguing, lineage, and metadata management.
- Develop and enforce a comprehensive data governance framework in collaboration with Technology, Compliance, Risk, and business stakeholders.
- Champion data as a strategic asset, driving cultural and behavioural change across the organisation.
2. Data Operations & Platform Ownership
- Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the enterprise data platform, ensuring high availability, reliability, and scalability.
- Oversee data ingestion, integration, transformation, and distribution processes supporting investment research, portfolio management, risk analytics, reporting, and client solutions.
- Build and manage a high-performing data operations function, including data engineering, data quality and stewardship, and business-facing data services.
- Introduce KPIs and operational metrics to ensure data quality, timeliness, and service excellence.
3. Target Operating Model (TOM)
- Architect and implement a target operating model for Data & AI, covering organisational structure, roles and responsibilities, services, workflows, and engagement models.
- Define service tiers, operating principles, and delivery mechanisms for data and analytics capabilities across front, middle, and back-office functions.
- Drive adoption of the TOM across the firm, ensuring consistency, clarity, and measurable operational improvements.
4. AI Strategy & Enablement
- Develop and lead the firm's AI strategy, identifying high-impact use cases across investment research, deal sourcing, risk modelling, client engagement, and operational automation.
- Partner with investment teams, quant groups, and business stakeholders to deliver AI-powered tools, workflows, and insights.
- Establish governance, standards, and guardrails for responsible AI, ensuring compliance, transparency, and model integrity.
- Build and scale a central AI enablement function, including ML engineering, model operations (MLOps), and AI product management.
5. Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement
- Serve as the senior advocate for data and AI innovation, influencing executive-level decision making.
- Manage and develop a multi-disciplinary team, fostering a culture of excellence, experimentation, and delivery.
- Build strong partnerships with technology, investment, risk, and distribution leaders to ensure solutions are business-driven and outcomes-oriented.
Qualifications
- 10+ years of experience leading data and/or AI functions within financial services, ideally alternative investments or asset management.
- Proven experience designing enterprise data strategies and operating models.
- Strong track record delivering AI and advanced analytics solutions in production environments.
- Deep knowledge of cloud data platforms, data engineering, governance, and MLOps.