Head of Services - AI & Data Services | Scrabble & Jigsaw

Posted on January 28, 2026

Job Description

Head of Services - AI & Data Services Position Title: SVP Services Reports To: Chief Business Officer (CBO) Team Size: 200+ Professionals Business Unit: Retail AI & Services   Executive Summary We are looking for a powerhouse leader to serve as the Services Head of Data & AI Services. This individual will be the architect and driver of our services engine, overseeing a large-scale organization dedicated to delivering world-class Data, Analytics, and AI solutions. Reporting directly to the Chief Business Officer, you will own the end-to-end P&L, from pre-sales solutioning to profitable delivery. The ideal candidate is a "Services Native" who understands how to build a high-performance culture, optimize gross margins, and maintain "trusted advisor" status with client CXOs.   Key Responsibilities 1. P&L & Operational Excellence <ul> <li>Gross Margin Accountability: Own the financial health of the business unit. Directly responsible for project profitability, resource utilization, and cost-to-serve optimization across all programs.</li> <li>Services DNA Infusion: Cultivate a culture of delivery excellence, accountability, and customer-centricity. Transition the team from a task-oriented mindset to an outcome-driven services philosophy.</li> <li>Portfolio Management: Oversee a diverse portfolio of engagements including high-scale Staff Augmentation, managed AI CoE engagements, and fixed-fee product/service implementations.</li> </ul> 2. Strategic Delivery & Complex Programs <ul> <li>Scale Management: Lead, mentor, and scale a high-performing team of 150–175 data engineers, AI scientists, and project managers.</li> <li>Program Leadership: Act as the executive sponsor for complex, multi-year digital transformation programs, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and with high client satisfaction.</li> <li>The "AI Factory": Standardize delivery frameworks for emerging technologies, including Agentic AI and LLMOps, to ensure repeatable success.</li> </ul> 3. Sales Enablement & CXO Engagement <ul> <li>Revenue Partnership: Partner with the Sales team to drive growth. A "dual-threat" leader who can lead technical sales pitches and architect commercial models that win.</li> <li>CXO Relationship Management: Build and maintain deep relationships with client Chief Analytics Officers (CAO), Chief Data Officers (CDO), and CTOs.</li> <li>Customer Experience (CX): Set the gold standard for client interactions, ensuring that "best-in-class" experience is embedded in every touchpoint of the service lifecycle.</li> </ul>   Candidate Profile: Capabilities & Experience Core Requirements (Must-Haves): <ul> <li>Services Veteran: 15+ years of experience in the Data & Analytics services industry, with a proven track record of growing a services business on data bricks, Snowflake et</li> <li>Subject Matter Expertise: Deep, authoritative knowledge of the Data & Analytics landscape (Data Engineering, Cloud Warehousing, BI, and AI/ML).</li> <li>Leadership at Scale: Demonstrated ability to lead large, multidisciplinary teams (150+ people) in a global or matrixed environment.</li> <li>Commercial Acumen: Expertise in managing Gross Margins, SOW negotiations, and complex financial modeling for services.</li> <li>Delivery Models: Expert knowledge of Staff Augmentation, CoE-as-a-Service, and project-based delivery.</li> </ul> Preferred Qualifications (Nice-to-Haves): <ul> <li>Domain Expertise: Deep understanding of Retail and Marketing analytics (e.g., Supply Chain optimization, Customer 360, Retail Planning).</li> <li>Platform Knowledge: Experience with Databricks, Snowflake, or major Cloud AI stacks.</li> </ul>   Success Criteria in the First 12 Months: <ol> <li>Margin Growth: Achieve targeted Gross Margin percentage across the entire program portfolio.</li> <li>Delivery Stability: Standardize "Service Delivery Playbooks" to reduce project overruns and improve NPS.</li> <li>Talent Retention: Maintain high engagement and low attrition across the 150+ person team through clear career pathing and "Services DNA" training.</li> <li>Strategic Wins: Lead and close at least three major AI CoE engagements in partnership with the CBO.</li> </ol>