Data & AI Architecture Lead

About

Senior Manager-level role responsible for architecture, solution design and technical governance for KPMG T&I data modernisation, artificial intelligence and intelligent automation engagements. The role leads data and AI solution architecture, delivery governance, and market and capability development across African client work.

How to apply

Complete the “Data & AI Architecture Lead – Candidate’s Summary” link (mandatory for consideration) and submit your application to talentrecruit@kpmg.co.ke, quoting “Data & AI Architecture Lead”.

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Responsibilities

• Design and review data architecture and AI/ML solution blueprints for all major T&I data and AI pursuits - ensuring technical soundness and delivery feasibility before contract signature.
• Produce high-quality data architecture documents, AI solution designs, and analytics-as-a-service proposals for client engagements.
• Lead client-facing data architecture workshops, demonstrating KPMG's capability in data platform engineering, AI/ML model deployment, and intelligent automation.
• Define KPMG T&I's standard data architecture patterns - including data mesh, data lakehouse, MLOps pipelines, and analytics-as-a-service models.
• Review and approve all data and AI scopes of work, ensuring they are correctly scoped, priced, and aligned to cloud-native data platform capabilities (Azure Fabric, Databricks, AWS, GCP).
• Provide architecture oversight on active data and AI delivery engagements - attending design reviews, sprint reviews, and client technical steering committees.
• Serve as KPMG T&I's technical authority on AI ethics, model governance, and responsible AI frameworks - ensuring all AI solutions meet appropriate standards.
• Conduct formal architecture health checks at key delivery milestones to identify data quality issues, model performance risks, and scope deviations.
• Maintain KPMG T&I's data and AI asset library - documenting reusable pipelines, model frameworks, analytics dashboards, and automation components with Block E.
• Stay current with evolving African data regulation (POPIA, GDPR-equivalents) and ensure all data architectures are compliant.
• Contribute to KPMG T&I's Data and AI thought leadership - publishing insights on AI/ML, data modernisation, and analytics trends relevant to African markets.
• Build KPMG T&I's internal data and AI capability through training, knowledge-sharing, and technical mentorship.
• Develop go-to-market propositions for Data and AI services, working with Domain Leads and Alliance Market Leads to position KPMG's capability with clients.
• Maintain certifications and stay current with the evolving AI/ML platform landscape (Azure AI, AWS SageMaker, Google Vertex AI, Databricks).

Qualifications

• Degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, or related quantitative discipline.
• Cloud data platform certification required: Azure Data Engineer (DP-203), AWS Data Analytics, or Databricks Certified Data Engineer.
• AI/ML certification preferred: Azure AI Engineer (AI-102), AWS Machine Learning Specialty, or Google Professional ML Engineer.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in data engineering, analytics, or AI/ML, with at least 4 years in a client-facing architecture or consulting role.
• Proven experience designing and delivering data platform migrations, analytics programmes, or AI/ML deployments for enterprise clients.
• Familiarity with African data protection regulation and responsible AI frameworks.
• Data and AI depth: recognised technical expert in data architecture and AI/ML solution design with demonstrated implementation experience.
• Architecture clarity: able to translate complex data and AI concepts into clear, structured, implementable solution designs.
• Ethics and governance - understands the responsible AI implications of model deployment and applies appropriate guardrails.
• Client engagement: comfortable leading data strategy and AI roadmap discussions with CDOs, CTOs, and business executives.
• Commercial awareness: designs data and AI architectures that are commercially viable and scalable without unnecessary cost.
• Curiosity and learning stays current with the rapidly evolving AI and data platform landscape.
• Market Intelligence: Demonstrate commercial awareness with sound knowledge of matters affecting the market.
• Business development entrepreneurial mind-set and ability to identify opportunities and develop high quality proposals.
• Personal effectiveness - Excellent report-writing and presentation skills.