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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI research and development, managing a high-performing team while driving innovative projects.
- Company: Join a pioneering AI start-up redefining intelligent systems with strong investor backing.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, equity options, and a flexible working environment.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of AI innovation, influencing product direction and shaping the future of technology.
- Qualifications: PhD in AI/ML with hands-on experience in building large-scale models and leading technical teams.
- Other info: Opportunity for international travel and visibility at board level.
The predicted salary is between 84000 - 196000 £ per year.
This range is provided by 55 Exec Search. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range
Head of AI (R&D)
Location: Manchester – 3 days in the Manchester office (flexible)
Compensation: up to £140,000 base + equity
Company Overview
Our client is an AI start-up at the forefront of redefining how intelligent systems solve real-world problems. With an ambitious roadmap and investor backing, they are entering a pivotal growth phase. We’re exclusively partnered with them to build a team of elite engineers, applied scientists, and technical leaders who will shape the company’s trajectory.
As they enter their next stage of evolution, they’re hiring a Head of AI (R&D) — a hybrid hands-on technical and leadership role designed for a builder, strategist, and innovator.
The Opportunity
As the Head of AI (R&D), you will take end-to-end ownership of the company’s research and engineering function, spanning hands-on model development through to managing and scaling a high-performing AI team. You’ll lead the development of cutting-edge machine learning systems, guide the research strategy, and ensure seamless integration of novel AI capabilities into real-world applications.
This is a unique opportunity to operate at the intersection of hands-on technical delivery, strategic leadership, and deep R&D ownership, directly influencing the company’s product direction.
Key Responsibilities:
Technical Execution & Leadership
- Lead by example with strong hands-on contributions in model development, experimentation, and architecture.
- Build and train foundational models (LLMs, multimodal, or domain-specific) on large-scale datasets.
- Own overall direction of the AI model from research to production
- Make critical architectural decisions, ensuring robustness, scalability, and performance.
- Own Engineering capability for all models and integrated SDKs
- Own overall testing and scaling of the platform
- Provide Leadership to the AI/ML & engineering teams responsible for outcomes.
Research & Development Direction
- Serve as the Head of R&D, shaping the research agenda and ensuring the commercial viability of innovations.
- Own overall direction of AI models from research to production
- Drive exploratory research and manage cross-disciplinary technical investigations across AI subfields.
- Bridge cutting-edge academic research with applied product development—going from prototype to production.
- Build, lead, and mentor a UK-based technical team of AI / ML engineers.
- People Management and allocation of work scheduling
- Hire and retain talent while scaling a leading technical organisation.
- Foster a culture of scientific rigour, innovation, and delivery discipline.
Cross-Functional & External Collaboration
- Partner with founders, design, and commercial teams to align AI development with company objectives.
- Represent the company’s deep tech story with external stakeholders, including VCs, strategic partners, and at AI forums.
- Contribute thought leadership and insight into emerging technologies and competitive AI landscapes
Requirements
- Significant hands-on experience in AI/ML engineering and building ML systems end-to-end.
- Demonstrated success in training large-scale models from scratch, including transformers and/or multimodal architectures.
- PhD in Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Computational Linguistics, or related field.
- Proven ability to lead technical R&D teams with a focus on translating research into commercial impact.
- Experience operating in startup or high-growth environments with full lifecycle product integration.
- Willingness to travel internationally (UK/US) and domestically as required
- Strong publication record or public presence in AI research communities.
- Experience engaging with VCs, including technical due diligence or R&D storytelling during fundraising.
- Exposure to AI commercialisation within Big Tech or enterprise-scale infrastructure.
What’s on Offer
- Base Salary: Up to £140,000 (DOE)
- Generous equity package
- Flexible and remote-friendly working environment
- Leadership at one of the UK’s most ambitious deep tech start-ups
- Visibility and influence at the board level
Seniority level
- Seniority levelDirector
Employment type
- Employment typeFull-time
Job function
- Job functionInformation Technology
- IndustriesTechnology, Information and Media
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Head of AI (R&D) employer: 55 Exec Search
Contact Detail:
55 Exec Search Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of AI (R&D)
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the AI and machine learning fields. Attend industry conferences, webinars, and local meetups to connect with potential colleagues and leaders in the sector. This can help you gain insights into the company culture and the specific challenges they face.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your hands-on experience with large-scale models by engaging in relevant projects or contributing to open-source initiatives. This not only demonstrates your technical skills but also highlights your commitment to staying current in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully managed R&D teams in the past. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've translated research into commercial success, as this will be crucial for the Head of AI role.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in AI commercialisation and the competitive landscape. Being able to speak knowledgeably about emerging technologies and their implications will set you apart during interviews and discussions with stakeholders.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of AI (R&D)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your hands-on experience in AI/ML engineering and any significant projects you've led. Emphasise your ability to build and train large-scale models, as well as your leadership experience in R&D teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for AI and how your background aligns with the company's mission. Discuss specific examples of your work that demonstrate your strategic thinking and technical expertise, particularly in startup environments.
Showcase Your Research Contributions: If you have a strong publication record or public presence in AI research communities, make sure to include this information. Highlight any relevant papers or presentations that showcase your thought leadership in the field.
Prepare for Technical Questions: Be ready to discuss your technical skills in detail during the interview process. Prepare to explain your approach to model development, experimentation, and architectural decisions, as well as how you bridge academic research with practical applications.
How to prepare for a job interview at 55 Exec Search
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
As the Head of AI (R&D), you'll need to demonstrate your hands-on experience in AI/ML engineering. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've developed large-scale models, including any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Highlight Leadership Experience
This role requires strong leadership skills. Share examples of how you've successfully led technical teams, mentored engineers, and fostered a culture of innovation. Discuss your approach to managing cross-functional collaborations and aligning team objectives with company goals.
✨Connect Research to Commercial Impact
Be ready to explain how your research has translated into commercial success. Discuss any relevant publications or presentations that showcase your thought leadership in AI, and how these experiences can benefit the company's growth and product development.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Since this position involves significant strategic input, prepare to discuss your vision for AI development within the company. Think about how you would bridge academic research with practical applications, and be ready to share your insights on emerging technologies and competitive landscapes.
