Head of Data & Digital Platforms

Purpose of the role

The Head of Enterprise Data & Digital Platforms is accountable for SNCB/NMBS’s enterprise data domain and for a portfolio of transversal digital platforms supporting the company’s business operations, decision-making, collaboration and transformation agenda.

The role leads the strategy, architecture, delivery and evolution of the enterprise data platforms, analytics capabilities, advanced analytics and machine learning solutions, data tooling and enterprise data governance framework. The scope also includes key digital platforms such as document management, Microsoft 365 collaboration platforms and other enterprise-wide collaborative tools.

The role operates at enterprise level and acts as the senior technology leader for data across SNCB/NMBS. It ensures that the company has the platforms, governance, capabilities and delivery capacity required to leverage data as a strategic asset, support critical operational processes, and enable AI-driven transformation across business units.

Key responsibilities

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Define and lead the strategy, roadmap and target architecture for enterprise data and digital platforms in line with business priorities and overall IT strategy.

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Own the end-to-end portfolio of enterprise data platforms, analytics solutions, advanced analytics and machine learning capabilities, data tooling, document management and key collaboration platforms.

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Act as the senior enterprise leader for data within SNCB/NMBS, with responsibility for enterprise data governance and data architecture.

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Lead the delivery of transversal technology capabilities supporting all business units, including AI-related initiatives and data-driven transformation programs.

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Ensure the robustness, scalability, sustainability and compliance of the domain landscape, including lifecycle management, technical debt reduction and risk control.

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Lead the evolution of the enterprise data stack, including Azure-based platforms, SAP BW/4, the rationalisation of legacy tooling and the modernisation of analytics capabilities.

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Manage a department of approximately 150 internal and external staff through 4 direct reports and successive management layers.

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Lead an annual budget of approximately EUR 20–25 million and manage relevant suppliers and partners.

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Engage daily with senior business stakeholders at ExCom -1 level and interact frequently with Executive Committee members.

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Support transversal enterprise priorities by enabling business units with trusted data, analytics, collaboration tools and AI capabilities.

Scope and impact

This role covers one of the most transversal and strategically important technology domains within Ypto. It combines enterprise-wide accountability for data governance, ownership of core data and digital platforms, leadership of a large delivery organisation, and responsibility for major architecture, investment and transformation decisions.

The domain supports all SNCB/NMBS business units and also underpins critical operational use cases, including real-time data consumption by systems supporting transport operations. Poor decisions in this role may result in degraded decision-making, reduced operational performance, increased compliance and security exposure, fragmentation of enterprise platforms, slower transformation, reputational damage and significant financial impact.