Manager - AI & Data Engineering Architect

About the Role and Company

Join a leading global professional services firm committed to making meaningful impacts through innovative solutions, client trust, and societal contributions. Renowned for excellence in consultancy and training in the Middle East, the company fosters an inclusive and collaborative culture that values integrity and growth.

Role Overview

We are looking for an experienced AI Architect at the managerial level to spearhead the design, development, and delivery of innovative artificial intelligence solutions. This client-facing leadership role requires a deep understanding of AI technologies combined with strategic advisory capabilities, guiding senior stakeholders and leading multidisciplinary teams to implement enterprise-scale solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice on cutting-edge AI trends, including generative AI, decision intelligence, digital twins, and agentic AI, tailoring their business applications.
• Architect large-scale AI infrastructures, incorporating LLM-based solutions, machine learning operations, agent orchestration, data pipelines, and seamless integration with enterprise platforms such as SAP, Oracle, Salesforce, and ServiceNow.
• Implement governance practices ensuring compliance with data protection and regulatory frameworks like GDPR, PDPL, and NDMO.
• Lead architectural strategy across cloud platforms (Google Cloud Platform, AWS, Azure) and oversee AI deployment frameworks, including edge and on-device AI technologies where applicable.
• Manage end-to-end delivery of sophisticated AI initiatives, progressing from proof of concept to full production scale.
• Collaborate closely with engineering, data science, and consulting teams to ensure AI solutions are scalable, secure, and high-performance.
• Drive the standardization and industrialization of AI assets into reusable tools and intellectual property that benefit the firm broadly.
• Mentor and develop a team of AI architects, engineers, and consultants to build a strong AI practice.
• Contribute to expanding the AI consulting branch through go-to-market strategies, proposal development, and authoritative thought leadership.
• Represent the organization at industry events and client engagements, showcasing expertise in AI architecture.

Qualifications and Experience

• 8 to 10 years of professional experience with at least 4 years dedicated to AI/ML architecture roles.
• Prior experience with consulting firms, preferable within Big Four or global systems integration contexts.
• Strong technical proficiency in large language models (LLMs), generative and agent-based AI systems.
• Deep knowledge of MLOps, data engineering, and cloud-native AI platforms including GCP, Azure, and AWS.
• Experience integrating AI with enterprise systems such as ERP, CRM, and HRM software.
• Understanding of AI security, governance frameworks, and regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated leadership in large-scale AI program delivery and management of cross-disciplinary teams.
• Business savvy with the capability to communicate complex AI topics clearly and align them with measurable business outcomes.
• Preferably holds an advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, AI, or related fields.
• Willingness to undertake regional travel within the GCC, accounting for 50-75% of work time.

Additional Preferences

• Proficiency in Arabic language is advantageous.
• Professional certifications related to AI are desirable.
• Contributions to AI literature or conferences through publications are a plus.

Core Competencies

• Strategic capability to design and direct AI transformation journeys.
• Technical leadership in scalable AI system design and governance.
• Exceptional client management, including consulting presence and storytelling skills.
• Innovative mindset with enthusiasm for new AI paradigms and translating innovation into business value.
• Effective people leadership, mentorship, and high-performing team development.

What We Offer

• Lead AI architecture initiatives for some of the most transformative programs in the region.
• Opportunity to influence the future of AI consulting and develop new intellectual property.
• Dynamic career advancement within a rapidly growing and globally connected practice.
• Supportive environment promoting excellent communication, teamwork, and problem-solving excellence.
• Exposure to business strategy development through the application of data science to generate tangible commercial benefits.