Director of Data and Artificial Intelligence - Neudesic, an IBM company : Job Details

About Neudesic

Passion for technology drives us, but it's innovation that defines us. From design to development and support to management, Neudesic offers decades of experience, proven frameworks and a disciplined approach to quickly deliver reliable, quality solutions that help our customers go to market faster.

What sets us apart from the rest, is an amazing collection of people who live and lead with our core values. We believe that everyone should be Passionate about what they do, Disciplined to the core, Innovative by nature, committed to a Team and conduct themselves with Integrity. If these attributes mean something to you - we'd like to hear from you.

Role: Practice Director, Data & AI

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Practice Director, Data & AI to lead and grow our Data & AI practice, with a strong emphasis on Microsoft Azure and Databricks technologies. This critical leadership role will be responsible for defining the practice strategy, driving business development, overseeing delivery excellence, and fostering the growth and development of our talented team of data professionals.

The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of the data and AI landscape, a proven track record of successful practice leadership within a consulting environment, and extensive hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure data services and Databricks.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Practice Leadership & Strategy:

• Define and execute the strategic vision and roadmap for the Data & AI practice, aligning with the company's overall business objectives.
• Identify and cultivate new service offerings, solutions, and accelerators leveraging Microsoft Azure and Databricks capabilities.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends and technologies in data, AI, machine learning, and cloud platforms (especially Microsoft and Databricks) to ensure the practice remains at the forefront of innovation.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key technology partners (Microsoft, Databricks) to ensure access to the latest product information, resources, and joint goto- market opportunities.
• Drive thought leadership through whitepapers, presentations, and participation in industry events.

2. Business Development & Growth:

• Partner with the sales team to identify, qualify, and close new client engagements for Data & AI services.
• Lead and contribute to the development of proposals, statements of work (SOWs), and solution architectures.
• Act as a subject matter expert during client presentations and discussions, articulating the value proposition of our Data & AI offerings.
• Expand existing client relationships by identifying opportunities for additional services and solutions.
• Contribute to revenue targets and profitability of the Data & AI practice.

3. Delivery Excellence & Oversight:

• Provide executive oversight and guidance on Data & AI projects, ensuring successful delivery, client satisfaction, and adherence to best practices.
• Mentor and coach project teams, promoting high-quality deliverables and efficient execution.
• Establish and enforce delivery methodologies, quality standards, and governance processes for Data & AI engagements.
• Proactively identify and mitigate project risks and issues.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.

4. Talent Management & Development:

• Recruit, attract, and retain top-tier Data & AI talent, building a high-performing and collaborative team.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and professional development within the practice.
• Provide mentorship, coaching, and career guidance to team members.
• Conduct performance reviews and support individual career growth plans.
• Develop and implement training programs to enhance the skills and expertise of the
• Data & AI team in Microsoft Azure and Databricks technologies.

Required Skills & Experience:

• 10+ years of experience in data and analytics consulting, with at least 5 years in a leadership role (e.g., Practice Lead, Director, Principal Consultant).
• Demonstrable expertise in designing, implementing, and managing complex data and AI solutions on Microsoft Azure.
• Strong proficiency with Azure Data Factory, Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Data Lake Storage, Azure Databricks, Azure Stream Analytics, Azure Event Hubs, Azure Cosmos DB, Azure SQL Database/Managed Instance.
• Experience with Azure Machine Learning, Azure Cognitive Services, and other AI/ML services.
• Extensive hands-on experience with Databricks platform, including Delta Lake, Spark, Unity Catalog, and various Databricks personas (Data Engineering, Data Science, SQL).
• Proven track record of successfully leading and growing a consulting practice or business unit.
• Strong understanding of data governance, master data management, data security, data quality, and compliance best practices.
• Solid experience with various data modeling techniques (dimensional, relational, NoSQL).
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Scala, SQL.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong client relationships at all levels.
• Strong business acumen and a results-oriented mindset.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
• Microsoft Azure certifications (e.g., Azure Data Engineer Associate, Azure AI Engineer Associate, Azure Solutions Architect Expert) are highly desirable.
• Databricks certifications are a significant plus.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with other cloud platforms (AWS, GCP) is a plus.
• Familiarity with DevOps principles and tools for data and AI solutions (e.g., Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions).
• Experience with Power BI or other data visualization tools.
• Understanding of MLOps principles and practices.

If you are a driven data engineering professional with a passion for Azure and a desire to lead a team of data engineers, data scientists, solution architects, practice leads we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity. We offer a competitive salary, benefits package, and the chance to work with cutting-edge technology in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Accommodation currently remains in effect for Neudesic employees to work remotely,

provided that remote work is consistent with the work patterns and requirements of their team's management and client obligations. Subject to business needs, employees may be required to perform work or attend meetings on-site at a client or Neudesic location.

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Neudesic is an Equal Opportunity Employer

All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status or any other basis as

protected by federal, state, or local law.

Neudesic is an IBM subsidiary which has been acquired by IBM and will be integrated into the IBM organization. Neudesic will be the hiring entity. By proceeding with this application, you understand that Neudesic will share your personal information with other IBM companies involved in your recruitment process, wherever these are located. More Information on how IBM protects your personal information, including the safeguards in case of cross-border data transfer, are available here: