Head of Data & AI

Company Description

At Te Mata Hiko (Contact Energy), we believe home is the most important place in the world. It’s all part of our vision to leave Aotearoa better than we found it. We’re a power, mobile, and broadband company, but we’re so much more than that. We are transforming the ways we mahi, and how Aotearoa is powered, leading the charge on renewable energy and digitising customer journeys in ways not yet seen here. A team of 1000+ from all walks of life who love what we do, look out for each other, and learn from one another every day, we’re stoked to be guided by our tikanga: we touch lives to make life better.

Contact’s strategy is to be a leader in the decarbonisation of Aotearoa New Zealand and to play our part in the electrification transition. Technology plays a critical role in this as we respond to change and pursue new opportunities, growth and investment. The space is rapidly changing and transforming, and so are we – after functioning as separate business units for years, we recently merged our Digital and ICT functions to be one as Technology Innovation. Tighe Wall, our Chief Digital Officer since 2020, has taken up the new mantle of Chief Technology Officer and is excited to lead Contact through the next wave of tech transformation and innovation. We’ve created 7 new leadership roles to work alongside the business in creating innovative, user-friendly solutions that make a positive and measurable impact, including this one as Head of Data & AI

Job Description

In this role, you’ll be the mastermind behind our data and AI strategy, making sure it aligns with Contact’s goals. You’ll set up and maintain data and AI governance policies to keep us compliant and on the right track. By staying on top of the latest in data and AI tech, you’ll weave these advancements into our strategies. There is real opportunity here to make an impact and leave a legacy.

You’ll lead the charge in developing and delivering AI models, focusing on cool stuff like machine learning, natural language processing, and predictive analytics. You’ll also oversee data engineering efforts to build scalable data pipelines and ensure our data is top-notch. By driving the use of data analytics, you’ll create actionable insights that support data-driven decision-making.

We see the strategy piece playing a big part. How do we improve our existing capability, and articulate to stakeholders the importance and capability of Data & AI and what it can do for them?

Qualifications

We have the best of both worlds here – you’ll work in a team which is still relatively compact – very much like working for a software house, where everyone knows each other and pitch in to help out when need be; but backed by a large, stable organisation that’s not going anywhere. We’re fully flexible, meaning you can work how, where and when works best for you. From a tech point of view, we’re in a state of continuous improvement, so there’s plenty to sink your teeth into, but we work with a pretty up-to-date stack, meaning you won’t tear your hair out in the process. We want to use cutting edge digital tools, ways of working and mindsets to challenge the status quo and ‘leapfrog’ our digital propositions from today to tomorrow. This is where our Head of Data & AI comes in. We’re on the hunt for a visionary leader with a solid background in data management and AI development who can connect data and AI to real business challenges and benefits, who will bring a deep understanding of data governance and compliance.

To set you up for success, we think you’ll need the ability to lead and influence, an analytical mindset for making data-driven decisions, as well as an ability to see the big picture, and imagine new ways to paint that picture.

Additional Information

Contact is not a place you’ll stagnate. We are growing and offer superb learning and development opportunities along with trailblazing policies like Growing Your Whānau, and perks like discounts on Contact Energy products, access to own Contact shares, higher than your standard employer Kiwisaver Contribution, better than your average leave entitlements, free Southern Cross Health Insurance, Good to be Home annual payment and a bunch of corporate discounts! 

He mea nui ngā paki kōrero ki a mātou i Contact, nā reira, mēnā kei a koe tētehi e hāngai pea ana ki tā mātou e kimi nei i tēnei tūranga kei raro iho nei–kei te hiahia mātou kia whakapā mai ai koe! 

We are big on stories here at Contact, so if you have one that you think might align with what we are looking for – we would love to hear from you! 

Applications close on Friday 28th March but we’re considering applications as they come in so hop to it and apply if you’re keen. 

Please note, only candidates with the right to live and work in New Zealand will be considered for this role.

Research shows that while men apply to jobs where they meet 60% of the criteria, women and those in underrepresented groups tend to only apply if they tick every box. We’re not about box ticking, so if you think you have what it takes but don’t meet everything stated above, please still get in touch. We’d love to kōrero.

Te Mata Hiko (Contact Energy) does not accept any CVs received from recruitment agencies where a formal engagement has not been confirmed and agreed to with our Talent team. In the event that unsolicited CVs are submitted by recruitment agencies, Te Mata Hiko (Contact Energy) reserves the right to contact these candidates directly and consider them for current/future vacancies without any financial obligation to the recruitment agency in question. This will also apply to any CVs sent directly to line managers.

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