Chief Data Officer

Location: AI Khobar, Saudi Arabia
Reporting to: CTO
Seniority: Executive leadership
Experience: 13+ years, including 7+ years in senior management/leadership.

Role Overview

The Chief Data Officer will lead the organisation’s overall data strategy, governance and management function, ensuring that data is treated as a strategic business asset. The role is responsible for building and executing the data management roadmap, improving data quality, establishing enterprise-wide governance frameworks and leveraging data, analytics, AI and ML to drive business performance, operational efficiency and innovation.

This is a strategic leadership position requiring someone who can combine strong technical data expertise with business transformation, governance and executive stakeholder management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Data Strategy: Define and execute the enterprise-wide data strategy, aligning data initiatives with corporate objectives and long-term business priorities.
• Data Governance: Establish data governance frameworks, policies, standards and controls, ensuring data quality, integrity, security, privacy and regulatory compliance.
• Data Management: Oversee the full data lifecycle, including acquisition, integration, storage, management and analytics.
• Data Infrastructure: Work closely with IT and technology teams to develop and optimise enterprise data architecture, platforms and infrastructure.
• Analytics & AI: Drive adoption of advanced analytics, AI and machine learning to generate business insights, develop innovative solutions and improve operational efficiency.
• Business Transformation: Promote data-driven decision-making and develop a data-literate culture across the organisation.
• Leadership: Build and lead the Data Management function, managing teams, budgets, performance and organisational development.
• Executive Reporting: Advise the CTO and senior leadership on data strategy, performance, opportunities, risks and transformation initiatives.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• 13+ years of experience in Data Management, Data Governance, Data Strategy or Enterprise Data Leadership.
• At least 7 years in senior management or leadership positions.
• Proven experience developing and implementing enterprise-wide data strategies.
• Strong expertise in Master Data Management (MDM), data governance, data quality and data architecture.
• Experience overseeing enterprise data platforms, integration, analytics and data operations.
• Understanding of AI/ML and how to leverage these technologies for business innovation.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams, budgets and large-scale transformation programmes.
• Strong executive stakeholder management and ability to influence business and technology leadership.
• Experience with regulatory and data protection frameworks, ideally within Saudi Arabia.

Salt is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.