Data and AI Chief Operating Officer, MD

Who We are looking for We are seeking a strategic technology leader that can provide critical management, reporting, and support to the Chief Data and AI Officer organization. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting the execution of our operating plan in line with our strategic priorities, translating intent into action and ensuring alignment, operational discipline, and strategic follow-through. The role oversees a broad portfolio of cross-functional capabilities including recurring responsibilities such as IT strategy and planning, governance, performance management, IT budget & financial management, operating model design and communications. The role may also take on nonrecurring initiatives, such as time-bound asks or ad hoc tasks that require senior oversight but fall outside established structures, these may include new strategic asks, interim leadership of emerging capabilities or one-off projects that leadership want to keep close.   Why this role is important to us COOs act as the operational right hand of the leadership team, ensuring rhythm, reliability and internal alignment within the IT organization. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in Artificial Intelligence, Enterprise Transformation, IT governance, financial oversight, and cross-functional technical program delivery.  Someone who excels at follow-through and coordination, enabling the senior leadership team to operate at strategic altitude. What you will be responsible for Partner closely with senior executives to develop & plan critical strategic initiatives, responsible for governance and delivery of these programs. Financial Management: Accountable for financial planning across respective division, including the annual corporate budget process, monthly finance reviews, budget, mid-year forecast, risks and opportunities. Coordinates expense saving initiatives, headcount, workforce planning and approval processes in alignment with central teams. Lead the performance management process that measures and evaluates progress against the divisions OKR / KPI’s. Responsible for governance and preparation for key Business Unit forums, including leadership calls, operating group meetings, leadership exchanges, and town halls. Partner management, supports creation of executive briefings with key strategic vendor partners bringing both technology and business together for co-innovation and business opportunities.

Advisory Skills and Leadership -  The candidate must have the ability to advise the executive management of the organization with a proactive approach. Candidates must have a proven ability to think and act globally, harmonizing global, regional and local objectives.  Demonstrated ability to develop employees, manage and lead successfully in a matrix environment is important.  Execution Envoy & IT Transformation Partner -  The successful candidate  will focus on translating enterprise goals into delivery plans, ensuring alignment & someone who can lead transformation efforts in operating model, delivery structure and workforce evolution. Financial Transparency - The candidate should be excited by the challenge of developing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and show back models that bring clarity and transparency to a large, complex IT cost base, clearly demonstrating how technology investment supports and enables each area of the business. Strong Commitment to Data Integrity - The candidate must be an advocate for data‑driven decision‑making, with a focus on maintaining a single source of truth and delivering trusted insights via integrated analytics platforms. Comfortable in analysing large and disparate datasets, slicing and interpreting data in multiple ways to produce clear, relevant insights. Regulatory/Compliance Knowledge - Adequate knowledge of the relevant legal and regulatory environment for the industry globally.  Influencing and Partnering Skills - It is key that the individual has the