Lead AI Data Scientist

Overview

A leading Federal Government client is searching for a seasoned Lead AI Data Scientist at the EL1 level to spearhead the creation, development, and delivery of sophisticated AI, machine learning, and advanced data science solutions within a multifaceted government setting. This role involves leveraging a wide range of analytical, statistical, and computational methods to convert both structured and unstructured datasets into insightful, actionable intelligence that improves operational processes and supports high-level decision-making.

The successful candidate will work closely with technical teams, business units, and executive leadership to manage the entire lifecycle of models—from initial problem definition, data handling, and model construction to deployment, performance evaluation, and ongoing refinement. Moreover, the individual will provide technical direction, formulate best practices, and guarantee that AI and ML solutions are scalable, secure, dependable, and aligned with the organisation’s strategic goals. Candidates from QLD, ACT, VIC, SA, and TAS are eligible to apply.

Main Duties

• Lead end-to-end design, development, and deployment of AI, ML and advanced analytical solutions tackling sophisticated business challenges.
• Manage comprehensive data science processes including data collection, integration, transformation, feature engineering, model building, and production rollout.
• Design and implement generative AI systems, including Large Language Models (LLMs) and agentic AI, ensuring robust performance, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Develop evaluation frameworks, testing protocols and quality assurance measures to rigorously assess model effectiveness.
• Oversee deployment, monitoring, and iterative enhancement of AI solutions through their lifecycle.
• Optimize data pipelines, analytical tool environments, and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) workflows for production readiness.
• Apply complex statistical analyses to identify patterns, trends, and practical insights for business advancement.
• Collaborate extensively with stakeholders to interpret requirements, design analytic strategies, and articulate findings clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Establish and maintain standards for data science governance, documentation, and responsible AI compliance.
• Identify and mitigate risks related to technical, operational, ethical, and data integrity concerns within AI/ML implementations.
• Provide leadership in mentoring, quality assurance reviews, and elevating team capabilities to meet high delivery standards.
• Direct team priorities, resource management, and project execution to achieve outlined objectives.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

• Solid background in data governance, data management and maintaining data quality to secure enterprise data assets’ integrity.
• Formal qualifications or certifications in fields such as data science, computer science, statistics, mathematics, machine learning, or AI.
• Experience incorporating responsible AI principles focusing on ethics, privacy, transparency, and risk mitigation.
• Proven track record of managing end-to-end data science or AI/ML projects, including governance and stakeholder engagement.
• Awareness of modern AI technologies and data science best practices within complex enterprise environments.
• Ability to integrate AI/ML solutions with large-scale enterprise data architectures and business systems.

Required Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated leadership in developing and scaling data science solutions in complex organisational contexts with measurable impact.
• Ability to translate vague business challenges into practical AI/ML solutions, managing risks, stakeholders, and dependencies effectively.
• Hands-on expertise designing, deploying, and monitoring advanced generative AI, LLMs, and agentic AI in enterprise settings.
• Profound experience with machine learning methodologies, statistical modeling, and advanced analytics on intricate datasets.
• Familiarity with developing, deploying, and operationalising machine learning models alongside data engineering and automation of data pipelines.
• Proficiency in relevant programming languages and analytical software, incorporating software engineering best practices including version control, automated testing, and secure coding.
• Comprehensive understanding of CI/CD integration, model deployment, monitoring processes, and lifecycle management.
• Expertise in relational, dimensional, and big data modelling, profiling, transformation, and data visualization techniques.
• Capability to create performance metrics and reporting systems covering model accuracy, data quality, risk management, business value, and adoption rates.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills able to convey complex AI topics to diverse audiences.
• Proven capacity to lead, coach, and mentor technical teams, fostering continuous improvement and high quality deliverables.
• Experience building scalable, reproducible, and dependable data science environments and solutions.

Benefits

• Lead impactful AI, machine learning, and data science projects within a sophisticated government framework.
• Work with cutting-edge technologies such as generative AI, large language models, and agentic AI.
• Influence strategic planning and enterprise-wide advancement of data and AI capabilities.
• Ownership of solution delivery end-to-end, from design to production deployment.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including senior management and business partners.
• Opportunity to provide technical leadership, mentorship and contribute to data science best practices.

Additional Information

Applicants might be required to undergo a National Police Check as part of pre-employment procedures. For confidential queries, contact Anissa at 0484 568 874 or via email at anissa@exclaim-it.com.au for further assistance.