Practice CTO, Media and Entertainment
About the Position
The Practice CTO owns the industry story, C-suite relationships, ecosystem partnerships, and competitive intelligence that drive pipeline creation and strategic deal wins. The role combines hands-on solution leadership in major pursuits with strategic ownership of AI-enabled propositions, reusable IP, and partner-sourced pipeline. In this role, you will be the senior-most technical leader within the M&E practice — the single voice of technical credibility to the market. You will own DataArt’s M&E solution strategy, go-to-market narrative, and AI-enabled propositions across all M&E segments. • Reports to: Practice Lead • Direct reports: Solutions Architect(s), Partner / Ecosystem Manager • Scope: UK, CEE & Americas — across all M&E segments • Orientation: Externally focused — market positioning, AI-enabled propositions, GTM narrative
About the Project
DataArt is a global software engineering firm and a trusted technology partner for market leaders and visionaries. Our Media and Entertainment practice works with the world’s leading broadcasters, publishers, streaming platforms, ad-tech providers, and sports organisations to deliver technology-led transformation at scale.
Responsibilities
- Own the practice story, key messages, and C-suite positioning across all M&E segments
- Define and own 3–5 go-to-market solution themes per year tied to segments and pipeline targets
- Deliver keynotes, publish thought leadership, and represent DataArt in media and panels
- Produce quarterly competitive intelligence briefings from BD signals and market analysis
- Embed AI/automation into 100% of GTM messaging
- Lead solution shaping on 5+ strategic pursuits yearly (workshops, proposals, CDO/CTO presentations)
- Ensure proposals are technically robust, margin-aligned and deliverable, with accurate AI/ML sizing
- Coach teams on storytelling, pricing, and board-level technical credibility
- Drive reuse of AI-powered solution IP and templates to accelerate deals
- Shape AI-enabled delivery models (testing, pipelines, monitoring)
- Act as a strategic advisor to C-level clients, translating challenges into AI roadmaps
- Join QBRs to strengthen CTO/CDO relationships and validate value
- Lead AI readiness and maturity workshops
- Secure 2+ strategic client references annually
- Manage alliances, partnerships, and the startup ecosystem to drive the pipeline
- Build relationships with hyperscalers and AI vendors
- Own M&E partnership portfolio and co-sell pipeline
- Architect AI solutions across M&E segments
- Lead innovation initiatives, PoCs, and labs
- Run bi-annual innovation sprints and maintain an AI use-case backlog
- Direct Solution Architects and Ecosystem Manager
- Provide feedback on capabilities, AI gaps, and tooling
- Maintain solution catalogues and reusable assets
- Participate in pursuit reviews, account growth, win/loss analysis, and deal assurance
Requirements
- 12 to 15+ years in solution architecture, enterprise architecture, consulting, or commercial technology leadership in an IT services or consulting context
- Proven track record shaping and winning large, complex, multi-year engagements across M&E or adjacent practices
- Extensive pre-sales and pursuit leadership experience, including oral presentations, pricing strategy, and contract structuring at the board level
- Hands-on experience architecting and delivering AI and ML solutions, from intelligent automation and data platforms to generative AI applications
- End-to-end product and platform (aaS) build experience, including architect, build, support, and run
- Experience building and scaling go-to-market propositions across multiple geographies including the UK, CEE, and Americas
- Demonstrated success managing alliance and partner ecosystems including hyperscalers and specialist AI or ISV vendors
- Strategic thinking that blends innovation, feasibility, and commercial outcomes
- Advanced pre-sales solutioning capability across both technology and business dimensions
- Strong technical credibility in digital platforms, AI and ML, automation, cloud, and data engineering
- Deep understanding of M&E practice challenges, including media transformation, advertising operations, and sports data platforms
- Effective communicator with excellent influencing and stakeholder engagement skills at C-level
- Skilled at identifying repeatable patterns and scaling AI-enabled offerings across clients and markets
- Champion of solution excellence culture, reusable IP, and pursuit discipline
- Bachelor’s degree in a technical, business, or related field
- Postgraduate qualifications (MSc, MBA) or equivalent industry experience preferred
