Project Manager - Banking - Data & Ai

Job Purpose

The Project Manager will lead the end-to-end delivery of a large-scale Data Lake Modernization program for a banking client, encompassing both the technical migration/modernization of the data platform and the implementation of downstream AI use cases — specifically hyper-personalization of banking products and Next Best Offer (NBO) capabilities.

The role requires strong command of both traditional data/infrastructure delivery and AI/ML-enabled business transformation, bridging technical teams, business stakeholders, and senior banking client sponsors.

Key Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end project planning, governance, and delivery of the data lake modernization program, including scope, timeline, budget, resourcing, and risk/issue management.
• Lead delivery of the AI/ML use case workstream for hyper-personalization and Next Best Offer, coordinating data scientists, ML engineers, and banking product/marketing stakeholders.
• Define and manage the project roadmap covering data platform migration (legacy to modern data lake/lakehouse architecture), data pipeline modernization, data governance, and AI model deployment.
• Act as the primary point of contact for senior client stakeholders (CIO/CDO/Head of Marketing/Retail Banking) — managing expectations, steering committees, and executive reporting.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including Data Engineering, Data Science/AI, Cloud/Infrastructure, Business Analysts, and Change Management resources.
• Ensure alignment between the data lake modernization workstream and AI use case delivery, sequencing dependencies correctly (e.g., data readiness before model deployment).
• Manage third-party vendors/technology partners (e.g., cloud providers, data platform vendors) as required for the project.
• Drive adoption of Agile/hybrid delivery methodologies, managing sprints, backlogs, and release planning for both data engineering and AI work streams.
• Ensure robust data governance, data quality, and regulatory compliance (SAMA, data privacy/PDPL) are embedded throughout the modernization effort.
• Track and report on business value realization from AI use cases (e.g., uplift in offer acceptance rates, personalization engagement metrics, campaign ROI).
• Identify,
  ** escalate**, and mitigate project risks, particularly around data migration integrity, model performance, and change adoption.
• Support change management and business readiness activities to ensure banking product and marketing teams can effectively operationalize NBO/hyper-personalization outputs.
• Prepare and present steering committee packs, status reports, and business case tracking for senior leadership and client sponsors.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data/Information Systems, Engineering, Business, or a related field. Master's degree (MBA or technical) an advantage.
• Project management certification such as PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent required.
• Agile certification (e.g., CSM, SAFe) highly desirable given hybrid delivery approach.

Experience

• Minimum 7+ years of project/program management experience, including at least 3+ years managing large-scale data platform/data lake or data engineering programs.
• Prior experience delivering AI/ML-enabled use cases in a banking or financial services context — experience with personalization engines, recommendation systems, or Next Best Offer/Next Best Action is strongly preferred.
• Experience working within a consulting environment
  , managing client relationships, steering committees, and multi-vendor delivery teams.
• Experience in the banking/financial services sector in Saudi Arabia or the broader GCC strongly preferred; familiarity with SAMA regulatory and data governance requirements is a plus.
• Proven track record managing cross-functional…