Forward Deployed Data and Applied Science Chief Expert (f/m/d)

In this role you define and lead high-impact data science and applied AI initiatives aligned with business strategy, embedding within customer environments and fast-moving teams. You act as the technical authority, shaping standards and governance for enterprise AI across domains. You translate strategic challenges into analytical approaches and measurable value, partnering with senior leaders to influence roadmaps and investment decisions. You will mentor data scientists and drive customer-facing AI programs with tangible business impact. This is an opportunity to shape enterprise-scale AI solutions within SAP’s collaborative, innovation-focused environment.

• Own the delivery of complex, multi-dimensional data science and applied AI programs aligned with business strategy and financial objectives
• Act as the chief technical authority for advanced analytics, machine learning, and applied AI across domains, setting standards for quality, rigor, and scalability
• Design, oversee, and govern advanced data models, algorithms, and ML/AI systems, ensuring enterprise-grade robustness and real-world impact
• Translate ambiguous, strategic business challenges into clear analytical approaches, success metrics, and decision frameworks
• Partner with senior business, product, and engineering leaders to influence strategy, roadmaps, and investment decisions through data-driven insights
• Embed directly into customer projects and fast moving cross functional teams to rapidly understand business processes, technical landscapes, and operational challenges
• Represent SAP externally as a recognized expert, building trusted relationships and strategic partnerships with customers and stakeholders
• Mentor and guide senior data scientists, fostering innovation, technical excellence, and professional growth across the community
• Lead strategic, customer-facing engagements by partnering with senior stakeholders to shape high-value AI and data science initiatives and drive the co-creation and delivery of enterprise-scale solutions with measurable business impact

• Deep expertise in data science, applied statistics, and machine learning with end-to-end ownership from problem framing to deployment and value measurement
• Proven ability to lead and govern complex, business-critical initiatives in high-ambiguity, high-impact environments
• Proven ability to work in an Agentic AI context, shaping and applying AI agents that act autonomously within defined boundaries
• Strong command of modern analytics and ML technologies, including NLP and generative AI
• Exceptional stakeholder communication and advisory skills to influence senior executives
• Recognition as a thought leader in data and applied science
• Expertise in designing scalable end-to-end data pipelines and ETL/ELT architectures
• Strong expertise in enterprise data modelling, orchestration, and system integration
• Advanced proficiency in Python and SQL for large-scale data engineering
• Hands-on experience with PySpark, Databricks, and distributed data processing
• Expertise in workflow orchestration using Airflow and similar platforms
• Strong experience with SAP HANA and enterprise-grade data platforms
• Proficiency in lakehouse and columnar storage (Parquet, Delta Lake)
• Experience implementing real-time streaming architectures (Kafka or similar)
• Strong focus on data quality, governance, compliance, and PII management
• Expertise applying CI/CD, Docker, and Git in data engineering workflows

• Exceptional communication and advisory skills
• Ability to influence and guide senior executives
• Curiosity and ownership mindset
• Python
• SQL
• PySpark