Head of Data & AI

Making a difference isn’t just our purpose, it’s what motivates our people every day. For us, work is not about ticking a box. It’s about knowing that it matters. We make a meaningful difference every day by making it easier for our customers to focus on what matters in their lives.

McMillan Shakespeare is undertaking a significant transformation to modernise its technology, data foundations, and ways of working, with artificial intelligence positioned as a critical long‑term capability. The success of this transformation depends on trusted data, strong governance, and deliberate, responsible AI adoption.

Here’s how you will make a difference in this role…

As Head of Data & AI you will be accountable for building the data and AI foundations that make advanced analytics and AI both scalable and safe, shifting the organisation from opportunistic use of data to trusted, enterprise‑grade capability.

In so doing, you will have three key priorities:

1. Data Governance Uplift – with a Strong Focus on Data Quality - Lead a step‑change uplift in enterprise data governance, with particular emphasis on data quality, ownership, and accountability as prerequisites for meaningful AI outcomes

2. Snowflake Adoption as the Core Data Platform - Drive the effective adoption and use of Snowflake as the Group’s primary data platform, ensuring it becomes

3. AI Governance and Responsible Adoption - Establish and embed enterprise AI governance that enables innovation while managing risk

At MMS clear expectations help our people Be the Difference.  Your key responsibilities in this role will include:

• Define and own a coherent data and AI strategy, aligned to enterprise priorities, approved technology roadmaps, and business value outcomes.

• Own and implement the enterprise data governance operating model (including data domains, data ownership/stewardship, data quality management, metadata and definitions), and chair/lead relevant governance forums to drive adoption and compliance.

• Lead high-performing data, analytics and AI teams across data engineering, and AI/ML domains.

• Own the AI governance (Responsible AI) framework, including principles, guardrails, review/approval pathways, model risk management, monitoring, and periodic assurance of high-risk use cases.

• Ensure data platforms and critical data products meet agreed availability, performance, quality and recoverability expectations.

• Be accountable for data and AI service incident trends, systemic issues, and continuous improvement in collaboration with Service and Operations functions.

• Own and operate the enterprise data governance and AI governance controls, proactively managing data, privacy and model risk (including third-party risk) and ensuring compliance with internal policies and external obligations.

To be considered for this role you will possess the following:

• Tertiary qualification in a technology or business‑related discipline

• Senior leadership experience in data platforms, analytics and/or AI/ML delivery

• Proven delivery of large-scale data platform modernisation, consolidation and/or enterprise analytics uplift

• Experience operating in regulated, high-availability environments with strong privacy, security and operational controls for data

• Executive‑level communication and stakeholder engagement

• Strong ownership mindset and accountability

• Senior leadership experience in software engineering and platform management

What we can offer you:

·         Strong culture and the support of a values-based recognition program

·         Novated leasing benefits and discounts

·         12 weeks paid parental leave

·         Comprehensive learning and development opportunities to support your career growth

·         Sonder digital wellbeing platform, providing personalised support 24/7, plus annual flu vaccinations

·         Default Income Protection Insurance reimbursed for members of the MMS Default Super Fund

·         Exempt Employee Share Plan

·         Volunteer leave & Career break

·         MMS Rewards program

Embracing our value of Everyone Matters we hold a collective commitment to foster an environment where all differences are valued and respected.

·         We encourage individuals from all backgrounds including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, those caring for someone or living with a disability, LGBTQIA+ and culturally diverse applicants to apply.

·         We value the skills and attributes veterans can bring to our organisation.

·         We embrace hybrid working and welcome conversations about flexibility.

Please note all successful candidates will undergo background checks (including criminal history and ASIC checks) and an NDIS Workers Screening Check if appropriate.  All information provided will be treated confidentially.

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.

If you identify as a person living with disability and require adjustments to our recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected]