Chief Technology Officer / Technology Leader – Data & AI

Oliver James is recruiting a senior technology leader for a specialist data and AI consultancy in Dublin. The firm works with organisations across a range of sectors. Its engagements run from targeted specialist support and dedicated teams of senior practitioners to fixed-scope delivery of complete solutions. It is backed by an established group and a network of senior industry practitioners, and it is entering its next stage of growth in Ireland. This is a newly created position on the leadership team. It carries overall responsibility for the firm’s technical direction, the quality of what it delivers and the credibility it brings to clients. The role You will set and own the technology vision for the consultancy: what it offers, how it delivers, and what standards it holds itself to. You will be the senior technical voice with clients and partners, and you will make sure every engagement, whatever its size, is shaped and delivered to a consistently high standard. Responsibilities - Define the technical strategy and proposition across data and AI, including the reference architectures, accelerators and methods the firm takes to market - Act as senior technical authority in client pursuits, shaping solutions, reviewing statements of work and assuring the deliverability of what is sold - Establish delivery standards, quality assurance and technical governance across engagements, including the responsible and secure use of AI - Build and lead the firm’s technical capability, covering practice leads, architects and a wider network of specialist practitioners - Own the main technology partnerships (for example Microsoft, Databricks or Snowflake), including accreditation, co-selling and joint go-to-market - Develop reusable intellectual property and thought leadership that set the firm apart in the Irish market - Work with the managing director and commercial leadership on growth planning, pricing approach and investment priorities - Advise senior client stakeholders on data and AI strategy, often at CIO, CDO or CTO level Experience required - Senior technology leadership within a consultancy or IT services firm, ideally with responsibility for a data, analytics or AI practice - Deep, current knowledge of modern data platforms and of taking AI from experimentation into governed, production use - A track record of shaping and assuring complex project-based and outcome-based engagements - Credibility with senior client stakeholders and the ability to win work as well as lead it - Experience of building and developing high-calibre technical teams, including flexible and associate-based delivery models - Commercial understanding of how delivery quality, utilisation and pricing affect margin - Knowledge of the Irish market, particularly financial services or the public sector, would be an advantage