Head of Data Engineering and Advanced Analytics, Basel, Switzerland

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) is hiring the Head of Data Engineering and Advanced Analytics within the Banking Technology unit. Application deadline: Please note that the deadline for applications is 19 October 2026 at the end of day. Please note that this role is offered as a 3-Year fixed term contract. This role is based in Basel, Switzerland; however, thanks to our status as an international organization, we can hire globally and welcome applications from candidates of all nationalities and located anywhere in the world. Relocation support is available for the successful candidate and their dependent family members.

Purpose of the job:

The Head of Data Engineering and Advanced Analytics leads and develops the Data Engineering and Advanced Analytics & AI teams within Banking Technology, accountable for their strategy, delivery and operational performance. The role sets direction for Banking’s data architecture and oversees the design, delivery and operation of data products and processes, ensuring data quality, lineage and reliability. It also oversees the development and operation of analytical applications using quantitative finance, machine learning and generative AI, guiding solutions from experimentation into secure, resilient and supportable production services. Across both teams, the role aligns investment, capabilities and delivery with business priorities and ensures compliance with technology, data, model-risk, security and operational policies. By joining the Banking Technology team in the Banking department, you will: Provide leadership and technical guidance across data engineering and advanced analytics initiatives. Delivering integrated data, advanced analytics, and data engineering solutions to support organisational objectives. Benefit from working in a unique, international environment that offers flexible, hybrid working options with a blend of onsite work from our central office location in Basel and home office.

Principal Responsibilities:

Leadership and strategy Lead and develop the Data Engineering and Advanced Analytics & AI sub-teams, setting clear objectives, building capabilities and fostering accountability, collaboration and technical excellence. Define an integrated strategy and multi-year roadmap for Banking’s data architecture, engineering and advanced analytics, aligned with business priorities. Manage budgets, workforce, suppliers and portfolio priorities, balancing business value, risk and capacity, and reporting transparently on delivery, operational health and outcomes. Data Engineering Lead the design, delivery and operation of Banking’s data products and processes supporting treasury and asset management, ensuring technical health, resilience and performance across legacy and strategic architectures. Establish engineering standards for reusable pipelines, analytics-ready datasets, metadata and observability, with clear ownership and controls for data quality, lineage, access, retention and auditability. Drive the improvement of Data Governance across Banking, ensuring alignment with BIS Data Governance policies and balancing legacy system continuity with strategic architectural progress. Advanced Analytics & AI Lead the development, deployment, and operation of advanced analytical applications using quantitative finance, data science, machine learning and generative AI, ensuring compliance with governance requirements, alignment with Banking priorities, and effective lifecycle management from exploration to controlled retirement. Promote the strategic reuse of data, models, and platform capabilities while assessing and adopting emerging technologies and methods to enhance Banking's analytical and operational capabilities. Delivery, operations and control Ensure the delivery of secure, resilient, and maintainable solutions with effective operational performance, incident resolution, and adherence to relevant controls and governance requirements. Manage external suppliers and delivery partners, ensuring clear outcomes, cost efficiency, and compliance with BIS requirements.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A university degree or equivalent qualification, ideally at master’s level, in computer science, mathematics, statistics, quantitative finance, or a related discipline.
• Strong people leadership, with the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams spanning established data platforms and emerging analytical technologies.
• Extensive experience in delivering coherent data, advanced analytics, and data engineering solutions.
• Ability to formulate and execute a coherent data and advanced analytics strategy while sustaining critical production services.
• Strong understanding of data engineering, analytics engineering and modern data-platform concepts, including distributed processing, data quality, lineage, metadata, security and observability.
• Sound understanding of quantitative analytics, data science, machine-learning engineering and production model life cycle.
• Portfolio management, including prioritisation, dependency management, investment planning and delivery through multi-year transformation.
• Ability to communicate complex technology, data and model topics clearly to senior management, business users, engineers and control functions.
• Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships across business and technology teams and to resolve competing priorities constructively.
• Relevant professional qualifications in data, cloud/platform engineering, machine learning, financial risk or technology management are advantageous.

Who we are:

Internationalism is at the core of our identity and the best representation of this is our workforce. With employees from over 66 countries and offices in nine locations, the BIS is a global organisation with a truly international workforce. By joining us, you will work in a unique, highly rewarding, and international work environment. We are committed to equal opportunities at the BIS and aim to build a workforce that reflects our global membership. We strive to attract the best talent and foster an inclusive environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, including those with a breadth of professional experience. You can discover more about our inclusive working environment here.

What the BIS offers:

• an agile and flexible working environment with hybrid working opportunities including home office and working from abroad days.
• relocation support that extends to your dependent family members.
• a competitive compensation and benefits package, including support for working families including childcare and education allowances (where applicable).
• a genuinely unique international working environment, which will give you exposure to the global financial system and the opportunity to collaborate with passionate experts from all over the world.