A major Australian enterprise is seeking a senior technology leader to drive and mature its enterprise Data & AI Engineering capability during a significant transformation period. This is a high-impact leadership role focused on operational execution, engineering excellence, capability uplift, and scalable AI adoption across a large and complex environment.
The organisation has recently consolidated its Data Engineering and AI/ML Engineering functions into a unified capability and is looking for a technically credible leader who can bring structure, alignment and maturity across platforms, engineering practices and delivery teams.
This is not a pure strategy role. The strategic direction is established; the focus now is on execution, people leadership, technical credibility, and scaling enterprise capability.
The Role
The Senior Director- Data & AI Engineering will lead a large-scale Data & AI Engineering function responsible for enterprise data platforms, AI/ML engineering capability, engineering standards, and AI enablement.
Key Responsibilities
• Lead enterprise Data Engineering and AI/ML Engineering functions across platform, delivery and capability domains
• Lead, develop and retain high-performing engineering and delivery leaders across Data Engineering, ML Engineering and AI Engineering
• Establish and enforce engineering standards, patterns, frameworks and best practices across data and AI
• Drive maturity across modern engineering disciplines including CI/CD, MLOps, automation, observability and infrastructure-as-code
• Partner closely with Architecture, Technology and Business leadership to ensure alignment between design intent and delivery execution
• Lead the transition from fragmented capability toward a more consistent, scalable and governed engineering model
• Embed operational discipline across data and AI platforms, ensuring reliability, scalability and performance
• Support safe, controlled and scalable adoption of AI and GenAI capabilities across the enterprise
• Manage and optimise large-scale vendor and contractor ecosystems to support delivery outcomes and capability uplift
• Foster a culture of accountability, technical excellence and continuous improvement
About You
You are a senior technology and engineering leader with deep technical credibility and proven experience leading large-scale Data, AI or Platform Engineering organisations within complex enterprise environments.
You are equally comfortable engaging with senior stakeholders and working through technical execution detail where required.
You will bring:
• Proven experience leading enterprise-scale Data Engineering, AI/ML Engineering or Platform Engineering organisations
• Strong technical depth across modern data platforms, cloud ecosystems and AI/ML engineering practices
• Demonstrated ability to operate in complex, matrixed enterprise environments with fragmented or evolving operating models
• Experience driving engineering maturity, standardisation and operational excellence across large teams
• Strong leadership capability across both direct and indirect reporting structures
• Hands-on understanding of modern engineering practices including CI/CD, MLOps, automation and observability
• A track record of improving delivery consistency, execution quality and engineering discipline
• The ability to influence senior technology stakeholders while maintaining credibility with engineering teams
• A pragmatic, delivery-oriented leadership style with strong commercial and operational awareness
This is a executive search assignment, run exclusivily by Peoplebank. For a discreet discussion regarding the opportunity, please contact Nic Gulliver at Nic.gulliver@peoplebank.com.au
Peoplebank
and Leaders IT
are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone belongs. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. If you need adjustments to the recruitment process due to your circumstances, please let us know—we’re here to support you.
Senior Director - Data & AI Engineering (AI-ML)
Senior Director - Data & AI Engineering (AI-ML)
Location:
Sydney
Work Type:
Permanent
Industry:
Executive Management
Contact Name:
Nic Gulliver
Contact Phone:
02 9409 4715
Date Published:
11-May-2026
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