Data & AI Strategy Lead

Demand for data & AI projects is growing fast. To keep up, we are looking for a Strategy Lead - Data & AI to lead engagements, accounts and teams. You take Data & AI engagements from strategy through implementation and make sure clients get real, measurable value out of data and AI. First, you manage a team of strategy consultants to shape the strategy with the client; selecting the right use cases, defining the roadmap, aligning stakeholders and validating the business impact. Then you lead the implementation track that turns that strategy into reality, steering a mix of strategy, implementation and expert profiles. You also ‘debug’ Data & AI organizations, for example by reshaping their operating model or ways of working.

In this role, you’re the go-to partner for C-level and senior management, and you work hand in hand with technical experts from Datashift and the client. You own key client relationships and accounts, lead your own teams and help grow our Data & AI Strategy practice.

A few examples of recent engagements (anonymized):

• A large multinational struggled to get value from a fragmented landscape of AI initiatives. We led the team that defined a short- and long-term AI roadmap, which brought focus and delivered early value.

• The Belgian branch of a large multinational wanted to use AI to return to profitability but struggled to find the right use cases. We helped select them, then guided the build of a voicebot and scaled it to production.

• After a merger of several data and IT teams, a client asked us to identify pain points and opportunities for improvement. Together with our technical experts, we defined a target architecture and redesigned the roles and ways of working across the organization.

Why Datashift

Datashift is not a classic strategy firm. Our Strategy team is part of a full-service Data & AI delivery company, so the roadmaps you design actually get built, often by the colleagues sitting next to you.

• See your strategy implemented. You don’t hand over a deck and walk away: you follow your recommendations through to production and measurable results, working alongside our data engineers, AI specialists and analytics experts.

• Own accounts and results. In a small team, you own client relationships, accounts and their P&L.

• Shape a young practice. As a Lead, you will be actively involved and have a real say in our offering, our methods and how the team grows.

• Build deep Data & AI expertise in one of the most in-demand fields in business. The AI field is evolving at a rapid pace, creating new services, new expertise and new opportunities. You are encouraged to take initiative, and good ideas are picked up fast.

Your responsibilities

As a Strategy Lead - Data & AI, you will:

• Lead a portfolio of Data & AI engagements and own the client relationships behind them, from framing the business challenge to driving implementation.

• Act as a trusted advisor to C-level and senior stakeholders, challenging their thinking and shaping their Data & AI agenda.

• Design the operating models, governance and ways of working that allow Data & AI organizations to deliver real value.

• Bridge strategy and delivery: work hand in hand with Datashift’s technical teams and steer execution on business outcomes.

• Grow the practice: win new business, shape our offering and thought leadership, and build and coach a high-performing team.

Requirements

Your qualifications

• Master’s degree in Business Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Analytics or a related field.

• 6-10 years of relevant experience, preferably in strategy consulting with exposure to Data, Analytics or AI projects.

• A deep understanding of how Data & AI impact organizations, their operating models and ways of working.

• A proven track record of leading complex client engagements and the multidisciplinary teams behind them.

• Experience translating strategic recommendations into concrete roadmaps and steering their implementation.

• Credibility with C-level and senior management, while remaining close to day-to-day project delivery.

• Commercial and business-development responsibility: you have grown client accounts, led proposals and won new business.

• Excellent communication, leadership and interpersonal skills.

• In-depth technical knowledge or coding experience is welcome, but not required.

• Fluent in English and Dutch or French.

Our offer

• A fast-growing, entrepreneurial Strategy team within Datashift, with plenty of room to grow and make your mark.

• A transparent career path based on impact rather than tenure, backed by continuous training and mentoring.

• Visible impact on our clients and on Datashift’s growth, recognized in your bonus and progression.

• Driven, motivated colleagues and a no-nonsense culture focused on quality and impact.

• Excellent terms of employment, including company car, fuel card, meal vouchers and bonus.

• Work from our offices in Mechelen, Leuven or Ghent.