Ontology Knowledge Graph & Semantic Layer Lead

About the Role

Adecco is seeking a highly experienced and hands-on expert to lead the definition, design, and initial implementation of an Enterprise Ontology, Knowledge Graph (KG), and Semantic Layer program. This is a full-time, strategic, and foundational role based in Riyadh, requiring a professional who combines deep technical expertise with enterprise architecture experience and a proven track record of delivering ontology and knowledge graph programs at scale.

Key Responsibilities

• Define the target-state architecture and strategy for the Enterprise Ontology, Knowledge Graph, and Semantic Layer.
• Design enterprise semantic models, taxonomies, and ontologies aligned with business and data domains.
• Develop the roadmap, governance framework, standards, and operating model for the program.
• Lead the initial implementation phases and guide the development of foundational ontology and KG capabilities.
• Identify and prioritize business use cases and quick wins.
• Ensure alignment with Data Governance, Metadata Management, MDM, Data Products, Data Catalog, and AI initiatives.
• Advise on tooling, platform selection, and architecture decisions.
• Build internal capability through knowledge transfer and mentoring.

Required Experience and Qualifications

• Over 10 years of experience in Data Architecture, Semantic Technologies, Knowledge Engineering, and Management.
• Proven experience designing and implementing enterprise ontologies and knowledge graphs.
• Strong understanding of Data Governance, Metadata Management, Enterprise Architecture, and Business Architecture.
• Experience leveraging ontologies and knowledge graphs to support AI, GenAI, RAG, enterprise search, and knowledge management use cases.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to engage both executive and technical audiences.
• Proven experience leading enterprise-scale ontology initiatives, knowledge graph implementations, and semantic architecture programs.
• Strong understanding of ontology engineering, taxonomy development, knowledge representation, semantic modeling, and metadata management.
• Experience defining target-state enterprise semantic architectures.

Technical Expertise

Candidates should possess deep experience with several of the following technologies and concepts:

• RDF, OWL, RDFS, SKOS, SPARQL, SHACL.
• Property Graphs, LPG and RDF graph models.
• Semantic reasoning and inferencing.

Knowledge Graph Platforms

Experience with enterprise knowledge graph platforms is required, including but not limited to:

• Stardog, GraphDB, TopBraid, PoolParty.
• Neo4j, Amazon Neptune.
• Microsoft Fabric / Purview semantic capabilities.
• Databricks knowledge graph ecosystem.

Application Process

This role offers an opportunity to lead critical initiatives in semantic technology. Salary details will be discussed during the interview process.