Practice Lead

Job Description
– FS Practice Leader, Insights & Data

Location
: Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Business Unit
: Capgemini – Insights & Data, Financial Services (FS)

Role Overview

Capgemini Middle East is seeking a highly experienced Insights & Data FS Practice Leader to drive growth, delivery excellence, and client success across the Financial Services sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East region.

The ideal candidate is a senior leader coming from a Global System Integrator (GSI) environment, with a proven track record in Data & AI consulting, business development, and multi-country operations. Professional experience in KSA is required.

This role combines practice leadership, business development, technology ecosystem engagement, and oversight of large-scale delivery programs, ensuring Capgemini remains the preferred transformation partner for top-tier FS clients.

Key Responsibilities

1. Business Development & Growth

• Lead the go-to-market strategy and revenue growth agenda for the FS Insights & Data practice in Saudi Arabia.
• Shape and close major Data & AI transformation opportunities with banks, insurers, regulators, and financial institutions.
• Support account teams by crafting compelling value propositions, proposals, and commercial strategies.
• Act as a key representative of Capgemini in industry forums, C-level engagements, and strategic client discussions.

2. Technology Partnerships & Ecosystem Leadership

• Build and strengthen partnerships with leading Data & AI technology vendors such as: Informatica, Cloudera, Denodo, Databricks, Dataiku, Datarobot, Snowflake, MongoDB, AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.
• Develop joint go-to-market initiatives, co-sell strategies, and capability enablement plans with the partner ecosystem.
• Ensure Capgemini is recognized as a strategic advisor and preferred partner in the Data & AI landscape across the region.

3. Delivery Leadership & Client Satisfaction

• Provide executive oversight for large-scale Data & AI transformation programs, including:

o Enterprise Data Platform implementations (cloud and hybrid)

o Advanced analytics, AI/ML, and Generative AI solutions

o Data governance transformations and regulatory compliance initiatives

• Ensure full adherence to Capgemini's delivery governance, methodology frameworks, and quality standards.
• Act as an executive sponsor on key accounts, driving client satisfaction, value realization, and long-term partnership growth.

4. Practice & Capability Development

• Build and scale a high-performing FS Data & AI team, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.
• Develop thought leadership, accelerators, methodologies, and industry-aligned solutions to strengthen market differentiation.
• Lead planning activities including budgeting, forecasting, workforce strategy, and talent development.

Required Skills & Experience

Professional Background

• Experience in Data & AI consulting, delivery, or transformation leadership within a Global System Integrator or top-tier consulting firm.
• Working experience in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with strong cultural and business awareness.
• Proven track record of operating across the Middle East region, ideally serving major FS institutions.

Technical & Domain Expertise

• Deep expertise in Data Platform implementation, Data Architecture, Cloud Data Engineering, and Enterprise Data Management.
• Strong background in Data Governance, Metadata Management, Data Quality, and Master Data Management.
• Robust understanding of Saudi Arabia's regulatory landscape, including:

o NDMO (National Data Management Office) standards, maturity models, controls, and governance frameworks

o PDPL (Personal Data Protection Law) requirements relating to data privacy, classification, retention, consent, and cross-border data movement

• Hands-on knowledge of AI/ML, Generative AI, Agentic architectures, and scalable MLOps practices.
• Experience delivering FS domain use cases such as regulatory reporting, risk analytics, fraud detection, customer analytics, and Open Banking.

Leadership & Soft Skills

• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence and advise C-level leadership.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage large engagements, and drive strategic initiatives.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for building practices and driving sustainable growth.

Why Join Capgemini?

• Lead Data & AI transformation for some of the most innovative and fast-growing Financial Services organizations in the region.
• Shape the future of Insights & Data in a rapidly evolving and strategically important market.
• Be part of a global network of experts, with opportunities for continuous learning and international progression.
• Work in an environment driven by innovation, impact, and client value.