Head of Data

Head of Data & Analytics Technology | Sonae Data

**Head of Data & Analytics Technology | Sonae Data**:
**To join ourSonae Data Team at theHolding Office, we are currently looking for a**:
**Head of Data & Analytics Technology**

**Sonae Data**is a brand-new unit within the Sonae group, bringing together data from across the group’s diverse businesses—think supermarkets, electronics, financial services, telecom, shopping centers, and digital platforms. The goal? To turn this data into valuable products and services, first for the group’s own companies, and later for the broader digital and AI-driven market.

We’re looking for a Head of Analytics & Data Technology to help lead in this journey by designing and delivering the best enabling technology stack. You’ll work closely with the Head of Data & Analytics and your team to build everything from the ground up—shaping the vision for data products, leading the technology team, and generation the technical framework for turning business challenges into scalable, impactful solutions.

**Core Responsibilities**:
**Strategic Leadership & Vision**
- Define and drive the overall data and analytics technology strategy, ensuring alignment with Sonae Data’s mission and the group’s broader business objectives.
- Champion a data-driven culture and evangelize best practices in data engineering, analytics, and AI across all group companies.
- Design and implement scalable data architectures to handle large volumes of structured and unstructured data from multiple business units.
- Oversee the integration of diverse data sources, ensuring robust data quality, privacy, and compliance with relevant regulations.

**Analytics & AI Enablement**
- Establish advanced analytics capabilities, including machine learning, predictive modeling, and AI frameworks, to unlock insights and create data-driven products.
- Explore and implement solutions for secure data sharing and monetization, including APIs and connectors for external and internal consumption.
- Recruit, mentor, and manage a cross-functional team of data engineers, data scientists, machine learning engineers, and data product managers.
- Foster a collaborative environment that encourages innovation, continuous learning, and knowledge sharing.

**Data Product Development**
- Work with stakeholders to identify opportunities for new data products and services, prioritizing based on market potential and strategic fit.
- Oversee the end-to-end lifecycle of data product development—from ideation to deployment—ensuring timely and high-quality delivery.

**Governance & Compliance**
- Develop and enforce data governance frameworks and best practices to ensure data security, quality, and compliance with privacy regulations.
- Implement anonymization and aggregation strategies to protect sensitive information while maximizing data usability.

**Stakeholder Management**
- Collaborate with executives and business leaders across multiple industries to understand their data needs, align on objectives, and measure the impact of data initiatives.
- Communicate technical concepts, project timelines, and business value to both technical and non-technical audiences.

**Main requirements**:
**Education**
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field.

**Technical Expertise**
- Proven experience in data architecture, data management, ETL/ELT processes, and cloud-based data platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).
- Hands-on experience with advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI frameworks, including the deployment and scaling of models.
- Familiarity with emerging technologies (e.g., large language models, streaming analytics) and the ability to integrate them into data product strategies.

**Leadership Experience**
- 8+ years of progressive experience in data or analytics leadership roles, ideally within complex, multi-business-unit organizations.
- Demonstrated success in building and managing high-performing, cross-functional teams.

**Strategic Mindset**
- Track record of developing and executing data strategies that drive measurable business outcomes.
- Ability to balance short-term wins with a long-term vision for data product industrialization.

**Business Acumen**
- Strong understanding of how data-driven solutions can generate revenue and operational efficiencies across various industries (e.g., retail, telecom, finance).
- Experience in negotiating data-sharing agreements and understanding the regulatory implications of data monetization.

**Work Location**:

- Role based in Oporto (preferably) or Lisbon
- If based in Lisbon, regular travel to the Oporto headquarters will be required.

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