Meet the Expert with Bruno Rodrigues, Head of Data at Mercan Properties

Bruno Rodrigues is the Head of Data at Mercan Properties, where he leads the development and integration of data platforms, system automation, and AI initiatives. His work ensures that technology serves business strategy, helping teams operate with greater clarity, speed, and impact.

As Head of Data, what are the main challenges you face in your day-to-day work, and how do you overcome them, especially when it comes to aligning internal needs with external tech partners?

The main challenge lies in ensuring that the technological solutions we develop - or acquire from third parties - are aligned with the reality and priorities of the business. There is often a natural need to align the projects and applications between what is technically possible and what is viable and useful within the structure and culture of the organization.

In practice, this translates into a continuous balancing act between three dimensions: the technical language of the team, the strategic objectives of the business departments, and the responsiveness of external partners.

Overcoming this challenge involves a collaborative and iterative work model, where we hold requirements-gathering sessions with internal teams and involve technology partners early on to ensure alignment of expectations. A concrete example is the integration of data platforms with RPA systems — something that only works if there is total clarity in business rules and processes.

What do you believe are the most important skills or qualities for leading a data team?

Leading a data team requires much more than technical knowledge. Of course, it’s important to master areas such as data engineering, business intelligence, artificial intelligence, and cloud platforms, but real impact comes from the ability to connect people, technology, and strategy.

The key skills I highlight are:

• Cross-functional and systemic vision — understanding how data flows across departments, where silos are created, and where synergies can be generated.
• Clarity in communication — turning complexity into simplicity, helping stakeholders make data-driven decisions without needing to be technical.
• Constant intellectual curiosity — the world of data and AI is in constant flux, and it’s essential to lead by example, maintaining a posture of continuous learning.
• Human development — creating an environment where each team member feels they are growing, where critical thinking, knowledge sharing, and autonomy are valued.

In addition, I greatly value adaptability, especially when leading emerging areas such as AI or Language Models (LMs), where best practices are still being shaped and paths are not always linear.

How does data contribute to optimizing operations across the company?

Data is now the foundational element that connects departments, people, and decision-making within Mercan. But the true impact is seen in the transformation of how teams work.

A practical example is the automation of repetitive and unmotivating tasks that previously consumed hours of manual work, such as data collection, file normalization, and system input, among others. Through the implementation of RPA (Robotic Process Automation) processes, these tasks are now executed automatically, freeing up employees to focus on higher-value-added activities.

Today, teams that once operated with significant delays in data analysis can now access and interpret information almost in real time, significantly improving the speed and quality of decision-making.

Soon, we will have automated alerts and data validation workflows in place, which will further optimize operations across various areas.

How has the role of data evolved at Mercan, particularly since the beginning of the integration of AI?

The integration of Artificial Intelligence is still recent at Mercan, but its impact is already visible. We began this journey with pilot projects, small use cases, and proof-of-concept initiatives, and we quickly realized AI’s transformative potential for our processes.

We are learning together, testing, failing, and adjusting. But one thing is clear: the results so far show that this area will have an increasingly significant role in our operations.

We also know that AI evolves visibly from month to month. That’s why we approach this field with both humility and ambition: we won’t stop learning and experimenting. We believe this is the only way to ensure that technology truly serves people and the company’s goals.

At Mercan, data is more than just support. It is a driver of innovation.Our work in data, platforms, and AI ensures that every team can operate with greater clarity, agility, and impact.