Deputy Head (Data Innovation and Strategy)

Malta Financial Services Authority is currently looking to recruit a Deputy Head to join their team on a full-time basis.

About Department:
The Data Solutions team is pivotal in driving business efficiency and operational excellence by leveraging new and cutting-edge technologies and systems, primarily focusing on the Authority’s supervision and electronic records management processes. The team is dedicated to the development, implementation and continuous improvement of the Authority’s new ERP Systems and ensuring its alignment with business objectives, thereby enhancing data quality, integrity, user productivity and the overall user experience.

Job Purpose:
At the MFSA, data is at the core of what we do.  The role of Deputy Head – Data Strategy & Planning recognizes the commitment of the Authority to recognize data as a valuable asset that can be developed and managed to deliver value to the organization.  This role will support the Head of Data Management & Business Intelligence in driving and implementing the Authority’s Data & AI programme.  The Deputy Head will also play a crucial role in fostering a data-driven culture within the organization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive the formulation and implementation of the Authority’s data & AI strategies by proactively identifying opportunities to leverage data and AI to drive business outcomes
• Stay abreast of industry trends and best practices in data & AI strategy, analytics and technologies to inform strategy formulation
• Be fully conversant with the European regulatory landscape and trends related to data and artificial intelligence as is relevant to the Authority’s supervisory obligations
• Drive strategic projects that may be assigned from time to time for driving data/AI-related organisational change
• Develop and enforce policies for effective data management and data/AI governance whilst ensuring compliance with data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA)
• Maintain data integrity, quality, and security across all data assets
• Liaise with project management, business, data and technical teams to define detailed plans, and drive execution, and delivery of data-related projects ensuring that business requirements are met
• Lead, mentor, and develop a small team of data professionals
• Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture within the team.
• Promote the use of advanced analytics, AI, and machine learning to derive insights within the Authority
• Identify and implement new tools and technologies to enhance the Authority’s data/AI capabilities.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field.  Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) preferred
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in data strategy, data management, or related fields at a senior level
• Ideally with consultancy experience in establishing data/AI strategy and enabling methodologies, modern data platform technologies and architectures
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills
• A self-starter and able to think out of the box
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

If you do not have the necessary academic or professional qualifications but you have at least ten (10) years of relevant experience in a related senior environment, we would still be interested in speaking with you.

Other Information:
The MFSA is an Equal Opportunities Employer as certified by the NCPE (National Commission for the Protection of Equality) and is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and will take care to avoid any form of discrimination in its recruitment procedures. The MFSA reserves the right to withdraw this call at any time and not to select any of the Candidates.

It is the responsibility of applicants in possession of qualifications awarded by Universities and other similar institutions outside Malta to produce a recognition statement on the comparability of qualifications issued by the Malta Qualifications Recognition Information Centre (MQRIC). Applicants should do so preferably at the application stage or otherwise at the preliminary interview should an applicant be selected for such an interview. Details can be obtained by accessing the National Commission for Further and Higher Education website at www.ncfhe.gov.mt under the MQRIC heading.

The MFSA shall ensure that any processing of personal data is by Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (General Data Protection Regulation), the Data Protection Act (Chapter 586 of the Laws of Malta) and any other relevant European Union and national law. For further details, you may refer to the Data Protection Policy on the MFSA webpage www.mfsa.mt.

Candidates are to note that the submission of any false statement/s or omission, even if unintended, may lead to the cancellation of their application and may render the candidate's appointment liable to termination.

Furthermore, please note that candidates may be asked to submit any documentation in support of the information provided, including but not limited to, proof of qualifications and Police Conduct Certificates.

Jobsplus Permit Number: 853/2024