Head of Data & AI
Job Description
We make some of the world's hardest materials: synthetic diamond and tungsten carbide. Our products are found anywhere from surgical tools and semiconductors to the machinery that helps build and maintain infrastructure.
Behind that sits a business that runs on data, and increasingly on AI.
As our new Head of Data and AI, you'll lead the next stage of that journey, reporting directly to the Head of IT and Digital Transformation and shaping how data, analytics and AI create value across the organisation.
This is a global role supporting 24/7 manufacturing operations across six factories, so the data and AI you deliver has to work around the clock.
You’ll own our data platform, our analytics and AI products, and the cloud compute that powers them.
Leading a high-performing team of four you'll set the direction for how E6 turns data into better decisions, whether that's optimising manufacturing processes on the shop floor, accelerating innovation in R&D, or improving efficiency across corporate support functions.
This is a hands-on leadership role. You’ll shape strategy and still care about how the pipelines run.
- Own the E6 data and AI strategy end to end, from a single source of truth through to AI products that people actually use day to day.
- Lead and grow a team of four across data engineering, analytics, and AI, setting priorities and building capability.
- Run our cloud compute estate globally. You’ll own capacity, cost, performance, and security for the platforms our data and AI workloads depend on, with the resilience that 24/7 manufacturing demands.
- Deliver governed, real-time data foundations across all six factories: trusted datasets, shared definitions, master data, and quality controls that reporting and AI can rely on.
- Take AI from pilot to embedded, with clear use cases, measurable value, and guardrails for responsible use.
- Set and enforce data governance, ethics, and privacy standards in line with our Data Trust and Integrity framework and relevant regulation.
- Work with senior stakeholders across E6 and De Beers to make the case for investment and show the return.
Qualifications
We’ve mapped this role to the Government Digital and Data (DDaT) Capability Framework so expectations are clear. You’ll bring:
- Data and AI leadership (expert): a track record of setting data vision and direction, and being the strategic authority people turn to.
- Data governance and ethics (practitioner): you’ve built the standards, not just followed them.
- Data engineering and platforms (practitioner): you understand pipelines, APIs, and how to build for scale, and can hold your own with the engineers.
- Machine learning and applied AI (practitioner): you know where models add value, and where they don’t.
- Cloud compute (practitioner): hands-on ownership of cloud infrastructure (Azure and Databricks), covering cost, capacity, resilience, and security.
- Stakeholder leadership (expert): you can convince a CFO of the value and explain the same thing to a plant manager.
- People leadership: you’ve led and developed technical teams, ideally across multiple sites or time zones.
Additional Information
Right to work
All applicants must be able to provide documentation verifying their eligibility to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not provided for this role.
Company Description
Element Six (E6), is a global leader in the design, development and production of synthetic diamond and tungsten carbide supermaterials. Part of the De Beers Group, our primary manufacturing sites are located in UK, Ireland, Germany, South Africa and the US.
Our mission
We put our customers first. Using our technological expertise and industrial leadership we deliver innovative solutions to achieve competitive advantage.
Our vision
With access to the most sophisticated R&D technology and the best minds in the business, the future is full of possibilities…
Employment Equity & Inclusion and Diversity
We are committed to fostering a vibrant workplace culture that is inclusive and embraces our diversity, where we value and respect every colleague for who they are and provide equality of opportunity so that everyone can fulfil their potential, and thrive.
Background checks
Successful candidates will be required to complete a background screening check which may include a criminal check and validation of qualifications.
You can find out more about who we are and what we do on our website: