Hire Heads of Data & AI in the Netherlands & Belgium.
The Head of Data or Head of AI hire decides whether everything else in your data organisation compounds or churns. Noordt & Co. runs retained leadership searches for data and AI leaders across the Netherlands and Belgium, from first data hire at a scale-up to AI leadership in established European brands.
How do we recruit data and AI leaders in the Netherlands and Belgium?
Every search is led by a consultant who understands the role technically. We qualify for organisation design for data and AI teams, platform and vendor strategy, model and AI governance under the EU AI Act, executive communication, and a delivery record that survives reference checks. You receive a calibrated shortlist, not a resume feed, and we share our market read either way. Engagements run as permanent search, secondment or contract, and under the Dutch DBA rules secondment is often the cleanest route to senior flexible capacity.
What does the market look like in 2026?
Salary figures above are indicative base ranges for medior to senior profiles and shift with stage, sector and equity. Our current business focus is the Netherlands and Belgium; the candidate network behind it spans Europe, and so will we, in time. For a live read on your specific role, send the brief and a senior consultant answers within 48 hours, in writing.
Frequently asked questions
How do you run a Head of Data search differently from a standard search?
Leadership searches are retained, research-led and reference-heavy. We map the realistic market first, then approach in confidence; expect 30–60 days to completion with a calibrated longlist inside three weeks.
What does a Head of Data or Head of AI earn in the Netherlands in 2026?
Indicative packages run €120,000–€180,000+ base in the Netherlands and €110,000–€165,000 in Belgium, with bonus and equity varying widely by stage and sector.
Should our first data leadership hire be a Head of Data or a Head of AI?
It depends on whether your bottleneck is foundations or applications. We regularly help founders scope this before the search starts, and we share that market view whether or not you engage us.
Do you handle confidential replacements?
Yes. A significant share of leadership work is confidential, and the process is designed for it from research through to offer.
Reading: Ford just paid twice for the same lesson — from The Signal, our column on AI and hiring.
Hiring data and AI leaders in the Netherlands or Belgium? Send the brief and get the market view within 48 hours, no obligation.
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