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Ontology, Knowledge Graph & Semantic Layer Lead

Envision Employment Solutions

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
  • Build the roadmap, governance framework, standards and operating model
  • Lead the initial implementation phases and guide the build of foundational ontology and knowledge graph capabilities
  • Identify and prioritise business use cases and quick wins
  • Align the programme 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

Ontology, Knowledge Graph & Semantic Layer Lead

Envision Employment Solutions · Riyadh, Saudi Arabia · Full-time · Posted 2026-10-15

Description

_Envision Employment Solutions_ _is currently looking for an_ _Ontology, Knowledge Graph & Semantic Layer Lead_ _for one of our partners, an_ _IT Services and IT Consulting company._

THE ROLE

The Ontology, Knowledge Graph & Semantic Layer Lead defines, designs and leads the first implementation of an enterprise ontology, knowledge graph and semantic layer programme. This is a foundational, strategic role for someone who pairs deep hands on semantic technology expertise with enterprise architecture experience, and who has already delivered ontology and knowledge graph programmes at scale. You’ll set the target state, build the roadmap and governance, and get the first capabilities live.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

  • 10+ years in Data Architecture, Semantic Technologies, Knowledge Engineering and Knowledge Management
  • Proven experience leading enterprise scale ontology initiatives, knowledge graph implementations and semantic architecture programmes
  • Strong grounding in ontology engineering, taxonomy development, knowledge representation, semantic modelling and metadata management

Experience defining target state enterprise semantic architectures

Solid understanding of Data Governance, Metadata Management, Enterprise Architecture and Business Architecture

Experience using ontologies and knowledge graphs to power AI, GenAI, RAG, enterprise search and knowledge management

Deep experience with several of: RDF, OWL, RDFS, SKOS, SPARQL, SHACL, property graphs, LPG and RDF graph models, semantic reasoning and inferencing

Hands on experience with knowledge graph platforms such as Stardog, GraphDB, TopBraid, PoolParty, Neo4j, Amazon Neptune, Microsoft Fabric / Purview semantic capabilities or the Databricks knowledge graph ecosystem

Excellent stakeholder management, with the ability to engage both executive and technical audiences

YOU’LL THRIVE HERE IF YOU

  • Enjoy building something from a blank page and owning it from strategy through to first delivery
  • Can move comfortably between whiteboard architecture and hands on modelling
  • Know how to turn semantic concepts into business value that executives understand
  • Like growing a team’s capability as much as delivering the work yourself

WHY THIS ROLE

Lead a foundational enterprise programme from day one

Shape how ontology and knowledge graphs underpin the organisation’s AI and GenAI agenda

Real influence over architecture, tooling and platform decisions

Based in Riyadh, at the heart of a major data and AI transformation

Apply

[Apply at Envision Employment Solutions](https://apply.workable.com/envisiones/j/24692B9569/apply)