- Company Name
- Sally Beauty
- Job Title
- Innovation Manager - Data/AI
- Job Description
-
**Job Title**
Innovation Manager – Data/AI
**Role Summary**
Lead enterprise‑wide data and AI initiatives in a multi‑channel retail environment. Drive end‑to‑end project lifecycle from ideation and stakeholder alignment to delivery and business impact, collaborating with IT, data science, and business units.
**Expectations**
* Own strategic data & AI projects, ensuring alignment with business goals and regulatory standards.
* Deliver measurable business outcomes, securing funding, and managing scope, budget, and timelines.
* Foster a culture of innovation by staying current with industry trends and promoting data‑driven decision making across the organization.
**Key Responsibilities**
1. **Project Discovery (≈50%)** –
* Facilitate workshops with leadership, SMEs, and stakeholders to identify needs, formulate problem statements, and define metrics.
* Scope initiatives, develop high‑level requirements, and obtain sign‑off.
* Build business cases, estimate timelines and costs, and prepare for funding approvals.
* Maintain change control and stakeholder communication throughout the lifecycle.
2. **Project Delivery (≈40%)** –
* Manage project plans, budgets, timelines, and resource allocations.
* Oversee the development of AI/ML models, data pipelines, and scalable architectures.
* Ensure deliverables meet quality standards and business requirements.
3. **Stakeholder Partnership (≈10%)** –
* Build relationships with key leaders in Digital, Finance, Solutions Delivery, Infrastructure & Ops.
* Identify SMEs, gather requirements, and secure buy‑in for initiatives.
**Required Skills**
* 8+ years in data engineering, advanced analytics, reporting, and project management.
* Expertise in modern data stack (Databricks, Power BI, Azure Data Factory, data governance).
* Proven experience managing complex AI/data programs across multiple business units.
* Strong presentation and executive communication skills.
* Ability to create business cases, capture benefits, and drive realization.
* Skilled in stakeholder consensus building, prioritization, and navigating internal politics.
* Knowledge of retail data & AI applications across B2B, B2C, e‑commerce, and brick‑and‑mortar channels.
* Strategic thinker with a bias for action, curiosity, and resilience in ambiguous environments.
**Required Education & Certifications**
* Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent experience).
* Certifications in data engineering, AI/ML, or project management (e.g., PMP, Certified Data Professional) are advantageous.