Chief Data Strategy & AI Transformation Officer| Retail | Corporate | UAE

Overview

In a rapidly evolving data and AI landscape, Al-Futtaim Retail is committed to leading transformation across the retail sector by harnessing the strategic power of data and artificial intelligence.

The Chief of Data Strategy & Analytics will be responsible for driving Retail enterprise-wide initiatives that leverage data and AI to enhance business performance, elevate customer engagement, and unlock new growth opportunities. This role is centered on enabling business transformation—not just through technical execution, but by shaping and steering data-driven strategies that align with Retail Division’s commercial objectives. The Chief of Data Strategy & Analytics will lead the development of AI-enabled products and services across the organization’s portfolio, ensuring that data becomes a core enabler of innovation, operational excellence, and competitive advantage.

The individual will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams—including business leaders, marketing, data practitioners, and the Group Technology & Digital Platforms (GTDP) team—to translate strategic priorities into scalable data and AI initiatives. They will ensure that business needs are clearly articulated, and that solutions are designed to deliver measurable impact. This role also involves engaging with executive leadership, functional heads, external partners, and vendors to foster alignment, drive adoption, and ensure successful delivery of data-led transformation programs.

What You Will Do

• Strategic Leadership : Lead the development and execution of a data and AI strategy that supports business growth, operational efficiency, and customer-centric innovation.
• Transformation Enablement : Champion data-driven transformation initiatives, ensuring that data and AI capabilities are embedded into core business processes, decision-making, and service delivery.
• Business Alignment : Collaborate with senior leadership to identify high-impact opportunities where data and AI can deliver measurable business outcomes, such as revenue growth, cost optimization, and risk mitigation.
• Portfolio Oversight : Oversee a portfolio of data and AI programs, ensuring alignment with business priorities and managing cross-functional dependencies to deliver value at scale.
• Stakeholder Engagement : Act as a bridge between business units and data teams, translating strategic objectives into actionable data initiatives and ensuring stakeholder buy-in and adoption.
• Governance & Ethics : Establish and uphold data governance frameworks, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and promoting ethical use of AI across the organization.
• Innovation & Thought Leadership : Stay ahead of industry trends and emerging technologies, providing strategic guidance on how innovations in data and AI can be leveraged to maintain competitive advantage.
• Culture Building : Foster a culture of data literacy, innovation, and continuous improvement, empowering teams to use data as a strategic asset.

Required Skills To Be Successful

What Equips You For The Role

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