Principal AI & Data Lead

Job description
This role sits at the strategic nexus of business and technology within ABG's Group Data and Analytics (GDNA) team, driving advanced data science consulting initiatives across multiple business units. The incumbent engages with key stakeholders to identify, evaluate, and implement high-impact AI/ML and analytics solutions that transform operations, enhance decision-making, and drive measurable business outcomes. Leveraging cutting-edge methodologies and domain-specific insights, this position ensures that innovative data science capabilities are seamlessly embedded into the business fabric, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and competitive advantage.

Additionally, the role involves close collaboration with the other teams and members to ensure the seamless deployment of advanced data science solutions while upholding industry best practices, such as: Continuous Deployment and High Availability: Implementing scalable AI/ML models that operate reliably in production environments around the clock. Modular and Reusable AI Assets: Developing flexible, reusable data science frameworks that can be leveraged across multiple ABG business units. Robust Analytical Foundations: Establishing strong data pipelines and analytical frameworks to support high-quality insights. Embedded Domain Expertise: Integrating deep, domain-specific insights to tailor solutions to the unique challenges of various business functions. Data Security and Governance: Ensuring strict adherence to data governance, information security, and ethical AI standards. Comprehensive AI/MLOps Lifecycle: Managing the end-to-end lifecycle of AI/ML solutions from development and deployment to continuous monitoring and optimization.

The core responsibilities for the job include the following:

AI and Data Expertise and Exploration:
• Bring leading-edge data science expertise into ABG through personal leadership and strategic hiring, encompassing: Advanced machine learning, deep learning, and statistical modelling techniques, Expertise in NLP, computer vision, time series forecasting, and other cutting-edge algorithms; End-to-end model development, deployment, and MLOps best practices, Robust feature engineering, model validation, and optimization.
• Design and develop scalable analytical solutions for both cloud-based and on-premises environments (e. g., AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Assess existing analytical capabilities, define a future-state data science framework, and create milestone-based execution roadmaps.
• Leverage emerging research and industry advancements to solve complex business challenges through innovative data science methods.
• Evaluate project complexities and risks to deliver accurate cost/time estimates and implement effective risk mitigation strategies.
• Build strategic alliances with industry and academia to exchange best practices and incorporate the latest data science techniques.
• Partner with ABG businesses to operationalize and scale AI/ML solutions that drive measurable business impact.

Business problem solving and Stakeholder Engagement:
• Develop comprehensive playbooks, dashboards, presentations, and collateral that highlight advanced analytics capabilities and business value.
• Act as a trusted advisor to internal stakeholders, ensuring AI/ML solutions are tightly aligned with strategic objectives.
• Identify high-impact data science opportunities across ABG's diverse business units, focusing on: Integrating datasets from various sources to enable cross-functional insights, Establishing robust data governance and management for reliable analytical outcomes, Supporting predictive and prescriptive analytics for both structured and unstructured data, Automating model deployment and monitoring for continuous usage.
• Ensure the seamless integration of data science solutions within existing business processes while maintaining data security and regulatory compliance.
• Helping businesses realize real business value.
• Work on high-priority problem statements aligned with the ABG strategic roadmap, delivering measurable returns across multiple KPIs.
• Provide strategic guidance to business units in adopting emerging data science tools and technologies tailored to their specific needs.
• Promote reuse of successful analytical models and methodologies across ABG by establishing robust processes for best-practice sharing and knowledge transfer.
• Drive initiatives that deliver significant monetary and non-monetary value, reinforcing the strategic role of data science in business transformation.
• Represent ABG at conferences, panels, and industry forums to showcase the organization's leadership in AI-driven data science transformation.

People Development:
• Mentor and coach data scientists, analysts, and related professionals on advanced modeling techniques, analytics methodologies, and solution deployment best practices.
• Build a high-performing data science team, fostering career growth and enabling continuous professional development.
• Establish a collaborative and innovative culture that encourages cross-functional learning and maximizes business impact over time.