Head of Insight, Data & Technology (media agency)

We're looking for a senior Insight, Data & Technology leader to join a leading media agency in the Middle East.

This is an opportunity for someone who understands how data, consumer insight, analytics and technology come together to deliver smarter media strategies and better business outcomes for clients.

We're not looking for someone who simply produces reports or builds dashboards. We want someone who can see the bigger picture, challenge conventional thinking and turn complex information into clear, actionable recommendations.

You'll work closely with senior agency leadership, strategy, planning, investment and client teams to build a stronger, more connected insight and data offering across the business.

It's a role that combines strategic thinking, technical understanding, commercial awareness and strong leadership.

What You'll Be Doing

Insight & Strategy

• Lead the agency's insight, data and analytics capabilities, ensuring they play a central role in how the business develops strategies and delivers work for clients.
• Turn consumer, market, media and business data into meaningful insights that influence strategic decisions.
• Work closely with strategy and planning teams to identify audience opportunities, understand consumer behaviour and develop more effective communications strategies.
• Challenge assumptions, ask the right questions and bring fresh thinking to client challenges.
• Help clients understand not just what their data is telling them, but what they should actually do with it.

Data, Analytics & Measurement

• Develop and strengthen the agency's approach to measurement, marketing effectiveness and advanced analytics.
• Lead thinking around attribution, marketing mix modelling, audience segmentation, campaign effectiveness and performance optimisation.
• Bring together multiple data sources to provide a clearer understanding of consumer behaviour and media performance.
• Establish consistent measurement frameworks that connect media investment to tangible business outcomes.
• Identify opportunities to improve reporting, automation and data accessibility across the agency.

Technology & Innovation

• Help shape the agency's data and technology roadmap, identifying platforms, tools and solutions that improve the quality and effectiveness of its work.
• Understand the evolving marketing technology landscape, including AI, automation, data platforms and emerging analytics capabilities.
• Work with internal teams and external technology partners to develop practical, scalable solutions.
• Identify opportunities to make better use of first-party data, audience intelligence and connected technology.
• Ensure technology is being used to solve real business problems rather than simply adding complexity.

Clients & Commercial Leadership

• Build strong relationships with senior clients, becoming a trusted advisor on insight, data and technology.
• Translate complex technical subjects into clear, commercially relevant conversations.
• Play an active role in new business pitches, helping demonstrate the agency's capabilities and strategic thinking.
• Identify opportunities to develop new services, strengthen existing client relationships and create additional commercial value.
• Work collaboratively across agency disciplines to ensure data and insight are embedded in the wider client offering.

People & Leadership

• Lead, develop and inspire a team of insight, data and analytics specialists.
• Build a collaborative culture where technical expertise and strategic thinking work together.
• Identify capability gaps and help develop the skills, tools and resources needed for future growth.
• Work closely with regional and global teams to share knowledge, best practices and new approaches.
• Be a visible leader within the agency, someone who can influence people beyond their immediate team.

What We're Looking For

• Significant experience in insight, data, analytics or marketing technology, ideally within a media agency, holding company, marketing consultancy or related business.
• A strong understanding of the media landscape, including how data and technology influence planning, activation, measurement and effectiveness.
• Experience leading teams and developing data, analytics or insight capabilities.
• A proven ability to work with senior clients and translate complex information into clear strategic recommendations.
• Strong knowledge of audience intelligence, measurement frameworks, marketing effectiveness and data-driven decision-making.
• A good understanding of the marketing technology ecosystem, including analytics platforms, data management, AI and automation.
• Commercial awareness, with the ability to identify opportunities that deliver value for clients and the agency.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the confidence to challenge and influence senior stakeholders.
• Experience working across multiple clients, sectors or markets would be advantageous.
• Experience in the Middle East would be beneficial, although we're equally interested in people who can bring relevant experience and fresh thinking from other markets.

The Person

We're looking for someone who is curious, commercially minded and comfortable operating at a senior level.

Someone who understands the technical side of data and analytics but doesn't get lost in it.

You should be equally comfortable discussing measurement frameworks with specialists, developing strategic recommendations with planners and presenting business opportunities to a CMO.

You'll need to be collaborative, confident and proactive, with the ability to build relationships across different teams and disciplines.

Most importantly, we want someone who can make insight, data and technology a genuine competitive advantage for the business.

Why This Role?

This is a chance to play a significant role in shaping how a leading media agency approaches insight, data and technology in one of the industry's most dynamic regions.

You'll have the opportunity to influence senior leadership, work with major clients, develop talent and help build capabilities that make a real difference.

We're interested in people who want to lead, build and make an impact, rather than simply maintain what's already there.