Head of AI/ML
Head of Data, Analytics & AI
Watercare Services Limited · Utilities / Water Infrastructure · 500-1000 employees · 📍 Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Watercare is creating a senior data and AI leadership role to modernise how Auckland's sole water utility uses data-driven and AI-enabled decision-making across its critical infrastructure operations.
AI Maturity
building
Why Role Exists
New position
Company Stage
enterprise
Source
linkedin
Key Responsibilities
- Define and execute enterprise-wide data, analytics and AI strategy
- Lead and build a data and AI function to support operational and commercial decision-making
- Partner with engineering, operations and executive leadership to embed data-driven culture
- Oversee data governance, data platform architecture and analytical tooling
- Drive AI adoption across infrastructure planning, asset management and customer services
Requirements
- Proven leadership experience in data, analytics and/or AI at a senior level
- Track record of building or scaling enterprise data/AI capabilities
- Ability to translate technical strategy into business outcomes for non-technical executives
Signals
- ⚠ No salary range disclosed — unusual for a senior leadership role and may deter top-tier candidates
- ⚠ No job description body provided — very limited signal to assess true scope or team context
- ⚠ Public utility compensation typically below private sector market rates for AI talent
- ✓ First-ever data/AI leadership hire suggests genuine strategic mandate rather than backfill
- ✓ Watercare is Auckland's monopoly water provider — large, stable enterprise with significant data assets
- ✓ Growing regulatory and infrastructure pressure in NZ water sector creates real urgency for analytics capability
- ✓ Role spans Data, Analytics AND AI — broad scope signals meaningful influence and budget