Data & AI Transformation Architect

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Data & AI Transformation Architect

Location: DMESS, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Department: Data & AI

Employment Type: Full-Time

Shape the Future of Data & AI at Damen

At Damen Shipyards Group, we are on an ambitious journey to become a truly data-powered organization. To support this vision, we are strengthening our Data & AI capabilities and investing in the people, platforms, governance, and technologies that will enable smarter decision-making across the enterprise. The role is intended to help evolve Damen's enterprise data architecture, governance, AI, and analytics capabilities while accelerating organizational data maturity.

We are not looking for someone who simply maintains architecture frameworks.

We are looking for a transformation-oriented Data & AI professional who has successfully helped organizations move from fragmented and developing data capabilities toward leading-practice Data & AI operating models. You may come from manufacturing, shipbuilding, construction, marine, offshore, engineering, energy, utilities, or similar asset-intensive industries where operational complexity, legacy systems, and disconnected data landscapes are common challenges.

This is an opportunity to drive meaningful change, influence business strategy, and shape the future of Data & AI within a global maritime leader.

The Role

As a Data & AI Transformation Architect, you will serve as a strategic advisor, consultant, and hands-on transformation leader. You will help define the future state of Damen's Data & AI landscape while ensuring practical execution and measurable business value.

You will work closely with business leaders, Data Owners, Data Stewards, Enterprise Architects, Data Engineers, Analysts, Governance teams, and operational stakeholders to establish scalable data foundations, promote AI adoption, strengthen governance, and improve data-driven decision-making across the organization. The role requires a balance between vision, stakeholder management, architecture expertise, and pragmatic delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Lead Data & AI Transformation

• Assess current Data & AI capabilities and identify maturity improvement opportunities
• Define and execute practical transformation roadmaps aligned with business priorities
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior business and technology stakeholders
• Drive adoption of modern Data Management, Analytics, Governance, and AI practices
• Promote data-driven culture across business functions

Shape Enterprise Data Architecture

• Develop and mature enterprise-wide data architecture principles, standards, and frameworks
• Further develop and operationalize the Enterprise Data Model
• Align business objectives, governance practices, architecture standards, and technology investments
• Support the evolution of Damen's Data & AI platform vision
• Establish scalable approaches for data ownership, stewardship, quality, and lifecycle management

Deliver Business Value

• Translate business challenges into practical Data & AI solutions
• Identify and prioritize high-value use cases that deliver measurable business outcomes
• Support responsible and value-driven adoption of AI capabilities
• Enable operational efficiency, improved decision-making, and enhanced business performance through data

Drive Governance & Integration

• Promote consistency and interoperability across enterprise platforms including SAP, Workday, Salesforce, Azure, and other strategic solutions
• Embed governance, security, compliance, and data quality principles into practical implementations
• Collaborate with Data Governance, Enterprise Architecture, Security, and MDM communities
• Drive standardization and reuse across business domains and systems

Influence & Build Capability

• Facilitate workshops, strategy sessions, and stakeholder discussions
• Coach leaders and teams on Data Governance, Data Management, and AI adoption
• Translate complex technical concepts into clear business language
• Build strong relationships across functions, cultures, and geographies
• Support organizational change and long-term capability building

What We're Looking For

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of experience in Data Architecture, Data Management, Analytics, AI, Digital Transformation, or related disciplines
• Proven experience leading enterprise-wide Data & AI transformation programs
• Experience within manufacturing, marine, shipbuilding, offshore, construction, engineering, energy, utilities, or similar asset-intensive industries
• Demonstrated success in improving organizational data maturity and business adoption
• Experience combining strategic consulting with practical hands-on implementation
• Experience working within complex international organizations

Technical Expertise

• Enterprise Data Architecture
• Enterprise Data Modelling (Conceptual, Logical & Physical)
• Data Governance & Master Data Management
• Data Quality Management
• Microsoft Azure
• Microsoft Fabric
• Databricks
• Microsoft Purview
• AI & Advanced Analytics
• DAMA-DMBOK and/or TOGAF
• Enterprise platforms such as SAP, Workday and Salesforce

Personal Attributes

• Consultant mindset with strong business acumen
• Strategic thinker who can also execute
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills
• Strong communication and facilitation capabilities
• Pragmatic, hands-on, and outcome-oriented
• Comfortable working in complex, evolving environments
• Passionate about helping organizations accelerate their Data & AI maturity journey

Why Join Damen?

At Damen, you will have the opportunity to make a real impact by helping shape the future of Data & AI within a global maritime leader that is actively investing in digital transformation and data-driven decision-making. You will collaborate with business and technology stakeholders across multiple countries, functions, and business units, working on initiatives that influence how data and AI are embedded into day-to-day operations. As part of a growing Data & AI function, you will benefit from strong executive sponsorship, strategic investment, and the opportunity to play a key role in accelerating our organization's data maturity journey. This is a unique chance to combine innovation, transformation, and practical business value creation while working in a collaborative environment that encourages entrepreneurship, ownership, continuous improvement, and professional growth. Ultimately, your work will help build the foundation for Damen to become a truly data-powered and AI-enabled enterprise.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is currently working as a Data Transformation Lead, Enterprise Data Architect, Data Strategy Consultant, Digital Transformation Consultant, Head of Data Governance, Data Management Lead, or similar role within a complex industrial organization and has successfully helped transform data capabilities from a developing stage into a mature, scalable, enterprise-wide function. This individual combines consulting skills, business acumen, architecture expertise, and transformation leadership to deliver lasting organizational impact.