Overview of the role:

We are seeking a dynamic and highly technical Head of Data Science & AI Products to lead our Data Science team while spearheading the creation, development, and commercialization of Data and AI-driven products. This role will blend leadership in data science with an entrepreneurial mindset to drive AI product innovation from ideation to monetization. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background in data science, a deep understanding of AI technologies, and experience in managing product development to create business value.

What you will do:

Leadership and Team Management:

• Lead and mentor a high-performing team of data scientists, machine learning engineers, and AI specialists.
• Foster a collaborative environment, empowering team members to push the boundaries of AI and Data Science innovation.
• Oversee the end-to-end delivery of AI/ML projects and products, ensuring high standards of quality and timely execution.
• Develop and nurture a culture of continuous learning and development within the team, keeping up with industry trends and emerging technologies.

AI Product Strategy & Development:

• Drive the vision and roadmap for AI and Data Science products, ensuring alignment with the company’s strategic goals and market needs.
• Identify opportunities for new AI/ML products or features based on customer feedback, market trends, and emerging technologies.
• Own the product lifecycle from concept through design, development, and deployment, ensuring effective prioritization and execution.
• Work cross-functionally with product managers, engineering, sales, and marketing teams to ensure seamless product development and go-to-market strategies.

Business Case & Monetization:

• Lead the creation of compelling business cases for Data and AI products, demonstrating their value proposition, potential for revenue generation, and scalability.
• Define key performance indicators (KPIs) and revenue targets for AI products and ensure they meet or exceed the established business goals.
• Establish clear pricing strategies and revenue models for AI products, working closely with the finance and sales teams.
• Manage the backlog of AI product initiatives, ensuring features are delivered in alignment with customer needs and market demand.

Go-to-Market & Sales Enablement:

• Collaborate with the sales and marketing teams to create go-to-market plans that effectively position and sell AI products.
• Support sales teams by providing technical expertise, product training, and marketing collateral to drive product adoption.
• Engage directly with key customers to gather feedback, understand their needs, and tailor AI solutions that drive customer success.
• Lead AI product demonstrations and technical sales support to showcase product capabilities and drive sales conversions.

Revenue & Metrics Ownership:

• Own the revenue performance and overall success of AI products in the market, consistently tracking product performance against revenue goals and KPIs.
• Analyse market data and user feedback to iterate and enhance AI products, ensuring they continuously meet market demand and generate business value.
• Develop strategic initiatives to expand the product portfolio and increase the monetization potential of Data and AI assets.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication:

• Serve as the key point of contact for all Data Science and AI product-related activities within the organization.
• Regularly report to senior leadership on product development, revenue performance, and strategic initiatives.
• Collaborate with other leaders in technology, sales, and marketing to ensure seamless execution of product strategies.
• Analyse market data and user feedback to iterate and enhance AI products, ensuring they continuously meet market demand and generate business value.
• Develop strategic initiatives to expand the product portfolio and increase the monetization potential of Data and AI assets.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication:

• Serve as the key point of contact for all Data Science and AI product-related activities within the organization.
• Regularly report to senior leadership on product development, revenue performance, and strategic initiatives.
• Collaborate with other leaders in technology, sales, and marketing to ensure seamless execution of product strategies.

Technical Expertise: 

• Extensive experience in Data Science, AI, and Machine Learning, with a solid understanding of algorithms, predictive models, deep learning, and natural language processing (NLP).
• Strong technical proficiency in programming languages and tools (Python, R, TensorFlow, PyTorch, etc.).
• Proven experience in developing AI-powered products and systems that scale.
• Product Management & Business Acumen:
• Proven track record in leading the development of successful AI products from concept to commercialization.
• Strong understanding of business strategy, product monetization, and market dynamics.
• Experience with product lifecycle management, including defining product roadmaps, feature prioritization, and managing backlogs.
• Experience in driving revenue growth and managing business metrics for AI-based products.

Leadership & Collaboration:

• Demonstrated leadership and team management experience, with the ability to lead a team of technical professionals and foster a culture of innovation.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and engage with customers and stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities with the capacity to make data-driven decisions.

Skills

Required Skills to be successful:

• Experience in Data science and machine learning 
• Startup Environment 
• Business Acumen - Retail 

About the Team:

You will be reporting to GM Technology & Data - Blue

What equips you for the role:

• Master’s or PhD in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• 10-12+ years of experience in Data Science and AI, with at least 3+ years in a leadership or product management role.
• Experience in creating and managing AI/ML products that have been successfully brought to market.