Data Architecture Lead (AI)

Location: Hybrid role based in Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with other locations in Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Company

hirify.global is an AI and data consultancy building secure, scalable intelligent systems and banking-grade data architectures for enterprise clients, with a focus on financial services and retail banking in the UAE.

What you will do

• Serve as the ultimate Design Authority for the enterprise data estate and prevent fragmentation across delivery streams, legacy platforms, and cloud ecosystems.
• Define and maintain target data architecture, modeling standards, reference models, and multi-year roadmaps for digital banking modernization.
• Establish and lead the formal Design Authority board, reviewing, challenging, and approving solution designs before build execution.
• Architect high-throughput, low-latency data pipelines and event-driven architectures for mobile banking interactions and personalized digital customer journeys.
• Assure architectural content in Steering Committee packs and challenge designs that diverge from the target state.
• Evaluate cost estimates and change requests, investigate technical delays, and escalate cross-project trade-offs to sponsors.

Requirements

• 10+ years of data architecture experience defining enterprise data strategies within top-tier consultancies or major financial institutions.
• Solid experience architecting enterprise data solutions in Retail Banking environments.
• Experience supporting client-facing mobile banking applications, high-concurrency microservices data layers, or end-to-end digital customer journey modernizations.
• World-class verbal, written, and visual presentation skills, including translating complex data models into executive narratives.
• Ability to present to C-level executives, defend design choices under scrutiny, manage technical pushback, and guide strategic decisions.
• Ability to evaluate cloud compute and storage costs, bills of materials, and vendor change requests on architectural grounds to protect contract margins.
• Strong communication, persuasive advocacy, and the ability to explain the business rationale behind technical decisions are required.

Nice to have

• Direct experience leading data architecture initiatives for major banks in the UAE or GCC region.
• TOGAF, AWS Certified Data Analytics, AWS Solutions Architect – Professional, Azure Solutions Architect Expert, or Databricks Certified Architect certification.

Culture & Benefits

• Strategic authority over enterprise-scale data transformations alongside experienced technical peers and executive bank sponsors.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive Gold Level personal health insurance.
• Individual visa sponsorship.
• Professional development, certification support, and role-related subscription reimbursement.
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge AI projects, with a monthly employee incentive program and career advancement opportunities.
• Inclusive environment supporting different thinking styles and reasonable adjustments during the application and interview process.