Practice Lead Data Science & A.I.

Sopra Steria is one of Europe's largest providers of digital solutions, with over 51,000 employees in nearly 30 countries. We believe that people are at the core of change, not just technology, and we focus on individual and team excellence. We are committed to an inclusive work environment that respects all differences.

Introduction

As a Practice Lead at Sopra Steria, you will be responsible for driving change within your AI team. You will lead a team of 20-25 consultants, guiding their growth and development, while also acting as a subject matter expert for clients and projects. You will report to the Area Director within the Business Line Consulting and collaborate with both public and private organizations to solve complex challenges. This role involves developing and implementing innovative, sustainable solutions that align with business needs and IT strategies, fostering digital transformations for future-proof organizations.

Responsibilities

• Coach and guide a team of consultants, supporting their professional growth.
• Develop strategies and implement digital solutions to help businesses advance.
• Collaborate closely with clients and stakeholders to achieve valuable results.
• Contribute to business growth and identify new market opportunities.
• Work with the Area Director to achieve growth targets (40 FTE by 2026) and deploy AI applications for clients.
• Actively participate in existing projects, client engagements, and product development.
• Drive the continuous development of service offerings in Data Science & AI, architecture, and product delivery.
• Connect knowledge across different disciplines and markets, such as data specialists, software engineers, architects, business consultants, and account managers.
• Expand the network of partners and suppliers, identifying AI opportunities and collaborating with account managers and AI sales.

Requirements

• Inspiring and substantive leadership: Minimum 5 years of experience in coaching and developing talent within consultancy and/or IT with a substantive component. Experience in a product organization is a plus.
• Entrepreneurship: A commercial mindset and the drive to build a successful management consultancy business.
• Strategic expertise: Minimum 5 years of experience in management consultancy, with a focus on Data Management.
• Data Science expertise: Minimum 7 years of experience as a data scientist or related roles (e.g., Machine Learning Engineer, MLOps).
• Project management skills: Experience in leading and executing data science (and AI) projects, consultancy advisory projects, achieving results within deadlines and budgets, and fostering team growth.
• Strong networking skills: Ability and relationships to identify new opportunities and create value for clients.
• Mentorship & team development: Committed to the growth and development of your team, helping them unlock their full potential.
• Technical Data Science knowledge:
  • Advanced proficiency in Python and experience writing production-ready code.
  • Thorough knowledge of LLMs and embeddings (e.g., GPT, BERT) and their applications.
  • Familiarity with deep learning frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch.
  • Experience with NLP-specific tools and libraries (e.g., LangChain, HuggingFace, spaCy) is a plus.
  • Proficiency in working with containerization and orchestration tools (e.g., Docker, Helm, Kubernetes).
  • Strong understanding of CI/CD practices and version control systems (e.g., Git).
  • Knowledge of model optimization techniques and deployment strategies.
• Dutch language skills preferred (working knowledge required for this role based in the Netherlands).

Benefits

• Permanent contract with a salary between €6,000 and €8,000 gross per month (based on 40 hours per week), depending on experience and role.
• Generous mobility budget of €1,209, offering a choice of an electric lease car with NS Business Card, lease bike, or an alternative transport arrangement of €1,113.
• On-target bonus.
• 27 paid vacation days.
• Home office setup including a laptop, phone, and a monthly internet allowance.
• Hybrid work model: flexibility to work from home or the office.
• Extensive development opportunities through training, knowledge-sharing sessions, and inspiring networking events.
• Social activities with colleagues, including social drinks, sports events (like padel and basketball clinics), and team meetings.
• Flexible pension scheme with customizable contributions.
• Opportunity to participate in collective health insurance.

About Company

Sopra Steria is one of Europe's largest providers of digital solutions, with over 51,000 employees in nearly 30 countries. We believe that people are at the core of change, not just technology, and we focus on individual and team excellence. We are committed to an inclusive work environment that respects all differences.

How to Apply

We look forward to receiving your application. The selection process will include opportunities to meet the team, possibly during a social event, hackathon, or coding session, to ensure a good fit.