Head of Data Services / Data Practice Lead
We are seeking an experienced Data Services Lead to take ownership of shaping, driving, and delivering the vision, strategy, and go-to-market approach for our data services and solutions. This is a strategic yet hands-on role, designed for someone who can set direction, engage with customers, and enable delivery teams to execute high-impact data solutions.
This individual will play a pivotal role in positioning our data capabilities in the market, building strong partnerships, and ensuring that offerings evolve in line with emerging technologies and client needs.
Key Responsibilities
Define & Deliver Data Strategy
- Develop and own a forward-looking vision and strategy for data services, including accelerators, reference architectures, and methodologies.
- Translate market trends, emerging technologies, and customer needs into actionable plans.
- Shape the practice direction, ensuring alignment with broader business goals.
Market Research & Go-to-Market Leadership
- Continuously monitor industry trends and competitor activity to identify growth opportunities.
- Collaborate with sales specialists to craft compelling, customer-centric narratives.
- Develop go-to-market materials such as thought leadership content, solution collateral, pitch decks, and customer-facing assets.
Client Engagement & Pre-Sales
- Act as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert (SME) for clients, internal teams, and senior stakeholders.
- Support pre-sales activities including scoping, proposals, and presentations.
- Confidently engage face-to-face with clients, building trust and credibility.
Delivery Enablement & Practice Building
- Work closely with delivery teams to ensure readiness for new offerings, including training, resourcing, and frameworks for best practice.
- Mentor and guide cross-functional teams to deliver consistent, high-value data solutions.
- Champion a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
Partnership & Ecosystem Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with technology partners (e.g., cloud providers, data platform vendors).
- Integrate partner offerings into strategies and client solutions to add value and extend capabilities.
Commercial & Strategic Impact
- Support costing, pricing, and structuring of proposals and bids.
- Drive measurable business outcomes through data initiatives and adapt strategy based on performance.
- Balance strategic thinking with a hands-on approach to execution.
What We're Looking For
Education & Background
- Degree-level education in a relevant field (Computer Science, Data, Business, or related).
- Strong professional achievements in data consulting, product management, or data leadership roles.
Experience & Skills
- Proven leadership in defining and delivering data strategies or transformation programs.
- Experience in consulting, product management, or other client-facing roles.
- Hands-on involvement in pre-sales, solution scoping, and proposal development.
- Track record of creating thought leadership content and customer-facing collateral.
- Commercial acumen with experience in costing and pricing solutions.
Technical Expertise
- Strong knowledge of modern data platforms (e.g., Microsoft Fabric, Databricks, Snowflake, AWS).
- Familiarity with data governance, data strategy, and enterprise data foundations.
- Technical proficiency at Solution/Architect level (Level 2-3).
Soft Skills
- Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
- Adept at conveying complex concepts simply to both technical and business audiences.
- Strategic mindset with the flexibility to be hands-on when needed.
- Confident, engaging presenter with experience in face-to-face client interactions.
Why This Role?
This is an opportunity to own and shape a data practice at a strategic level while staying hands-on with clients, partners, and delivery teams. You'll have the autonomy to define vision, the influence to impact go-to-market strategy, and the platform to drive transformational change for clients.