Vice President, AI and Data

THE OPPORTUNITY

Our client, a leading Canadian infrastructure organization, is seeking an accomplished and strategic Vice President, AI and Data to join its Executive Leadership Team. Reporting directly to the President & Chief Executive Officer, the Vice President, AI and Data will be responsible for defining and executing an enterprise-wide data and analytics strategy that enables the organization's strategic priorities and delivers measurable business value.

The Vice President, AI and Data will play a pivotal role in transforming the organization into a truly data-driven enterprise by leveraging advanced analytics, data science, business intelligence, and emerging AI capabilities to support revenue growth, operational excellence, customer insights, and enterprise performance. This position offers a unique opportunity for an experienced executive to establish enterprise-wide data capabilities while serving as a strategic advisor to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Enterprise Data & Analytics Strategy

• Define and execute a comprehensive enterprise data and analytics strategy aligned with the organization's strategic plan and business priorities.
• Develop and lead a roadmap to advance enterprise data maturity, including governance, analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning capabilities.
• Ensure alignment between data investments, business objectives, and measurable value creation through revenue growth, cost optimization, and improved operational performance.
• Establish a long-term vision for how data and analytics will enhance enterprise competitiveness and decision-making.

Data, Analytics & Insights Leadership

• Lead and scale enterprise capabilities across data analytics, data science, business intelligence, and insights generation.
• Champion a culture of data-driven decision-making throughout the organization.
• Oversee the development and application of predictive models, advanced analytics, and AI-enabled solutions to support pricing, forecasting, customer insights, and operational decision-making.
• Enable enterprise-wide self-service analytics and improve data literacy, accessibility, and trust across business functions.

Revenue Growth & Operational Performance

• Partner with business leaders to leverage data and analytics in support of revenue optimization, pricing strategies, forecasting, customer behavior analysis, traffic modelling and performance improvement initiatives.
• Identify and drive cost optimization opportunities through enhanced analytics, automation, and improved operational decision-making.
• Develop business cases, analytical models, and reporting capabilities that improve investment decisions and operational outcomes.
• Ensure analytics programs produce measurable business impact and contribute to enterprise performance objectives.

Data Governance, Quality & Risk Management

• Establish and oversee enterprise-wide data governance, data quality, analytics, and AI/ML capabilities.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, contractual, and organizational requirements related to data management and usage.
• Promote secure, ethical, and responsible use of data across the enterprise.
• Strengthen organizational confidence in data through robust governance and quality frameworks.

Technology & Enterprise Collaboration

• Partner closely with the Chief Information Officer and technology leadership to ensure scalable, secure, and modern data platforms and architectures.
• Define business-driven data requirements and prioritize enterprise analytics initiatives.
• Support the implementation and adoption of tools, platforms, and capabilities required to enable advanced analytics and business intelligence.
• Ensure strong alignment between business priorities, technology investments, and data strategies.

Strategic Advisory & Enterprise Leadership

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team on the strategic application of data and analytics.
• Support strategic planning, performance improvement, business transformation, and enterprise-wide decision-making through actionable insights.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives that integrate analytics, business process transformation, and organizational change.
• Influence enterprise priorities through evidence-based recommendations and analytical rigor.

Performance Measurement & Executive Reporting

• Define and implement enterprise performance metrics, dashboards, and reporting frameworks.
• Measure and communicate the impact of data and analytics initiatives on revenue growth, cost reduction, operational performance, and strategic outcomes.
• Deliver clear, meaningful reporting to executive leadership and the Board of Directors.
• Establish transparent performance measurement practices that support accountability and continuous improvement.

Leadership & Capability Development

• Build and lead a high-performing team across data analytics, data science, business intelligence, and enterprise insights.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, continuous learning, and business partnership.
• Develop organizational capability in analytics, data literacy, and AI adoption.
• Ensure future talent, leadership succession, and capability requirements are aligned with enterprise growth objectives.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

The successful candidate will combine strong analytical expertise with strategic business acumen and a demonstrated ability to translate data into measurable business outcomes. They will possess executive presence, commercial orientation, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders while building enterprise-wide capabilities that drive long-term value creation.

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 15 years of progressive leadership experience in data, analytics, business intelligence, digital transformation, or related disciplines.
• Experience operating within complex, asset-intensive, technology-enabled, infrastructure, transportation, financial services, telecommunications, or similarly data-rich environments.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success building and scaling enterprise data and analytics functions that deliver measurable business outcomes.
• Experience leading enterprise-wide initiatives involving advanced analytics, predictive modelling, and AI-driven decision-making.

EXPERIENCE

• Deep expertise in enterprise data strategy, analytics, business intelligence, and data governance.
• Strong understanding of advanced analytics, predictive modelling, artificial intelligence, and machine learning methodologies.
• Demonstrated success applying analytics to revenue optimization, forecasting, customer insights, operational effectiveness, and business performance improvement.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen with the ability to connect analytics investments to strategic and financial outcomes.
• Proven ability to influence executive teams and drive enterprise-wide adoption of data-driven decision-making.
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder engagement, and executive leadership capabilities.
• Ability to operate effectively across business and technology functions while maintaining a strong focus on value realization.

The Vice President, AI and Data role is a current existing vacancy. LHH Knightsbridge does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, or select applicants for a position.