Principal AI Architect

We are seeking a Principal AI Strategist — a credible, hands‑on thought leader who operates with equal authority in the boardroom and alongside delivery teams. This is a doing role, not an advisory one. You will define the AI vision, shape operating models, govern programmes, and drive measurable outcomes for one of the UK's most consequential financial institutions.

Location: London

Focus Areas:

• Board & Executive AI Advisory
• Enterprise Transformation
• AI Operating Model Design
• AI-Enabled Value Creation
• Commercial & Growth Strategy
• Global Practice Leadership
• Strategic Advisory & AI Thought Leadership

Define and own the end‑to‑end AI vision for CLIENT — translating regulatory priorities, business goals, and data landscape into a coherent AI strategy, investment roadmap, and governance framework with board‑level accountability. Design the AI Operating Model from scratch—including the Centre of Excellence (CoE) blueprint, use‑case governance lifecycle, model assurance standards, and RACI frameworks aligned to CLIENT's regulatory obligations. Lead AI maturity assessments and capability evaluations, synthesising findings into executive‑ready narratives and MVP‑to‑production roadmaps. Frame and present compelling business cases and investment proposals for AI initiatives, covering commercial viability, risk, regulatory compliance, and measurable returns.

Hands‑On AI Solution Design & Delivery:

Architect and guide enterprise‑grade AI solutions— selecting the right AI solution patterns (retrieval, reasoning, automation, multi‑agent orchestration) based on business context, data characteristics, and regulatory constraints. Work directly alongside engineering and data science teams to unblock delivery, elevate technical quality, and ensure solutions meet CLIENT's accuracy, explainability, and security standards. Lead evaluation and optimisation of AI outputs—balancing performance, latency, and regulatory trustworthiness across the full production lifecycle. Oversee technical go‑live readiness, infrastructure capacity, and the industrialisation of AI solutions from prototype to enterprise‑scale production.

Client & Executive Engagement:

Serve as the primary AI trusted advisor to CLIENT's C‑suite and senior leadership— building deep, long‑term confidence in AI adoption and transformation. Lead discovery, design‑thinking, and use‑case prioritisation workshops with CLIENT business and technology stakeholders. Translate complex AI capability into clear strategic narratives, board presentations, and executive roadmaps. Identify and shape new AI opportunities within CLIENT— growing Cognizant's AI footprint through genuine value creation and commercial pipeline development.

Practice & Team Leadership:

Mentor cross‑functional AI delivery teams— setting technical and strategic standards that elevate collective capability across architects, engineers, and business analysts. Contribute to Cognizant's AI practice— developing reusable accelerators, frameworks, and thought leadership that extend beyond the CLIENT engagement. Build and retain top AI talent, developing the individuals who will lead Cognizant's next generation of AI engagements.

Essential: What We Are Looking For:

• Demonstrated track record leading AI strategy, operating model design, and AI CoE development at Principal or Director level in a regulated enterprise environment — you have owned the outcomes, not contributed to them.
• Deep, hands‑on experience designing and delivering production AI solutions— you understand which AI patterns to apply and why, and you can challenge and improve a technical design in real time.
• Proven cloud‑native AI delivery on AWS (primary), with working knowledge of Azure and/or GCP— hands‑on architecture experience, not oversight.
• Experience designing and deploying Agentic AI and Multi‑Agent Systems in enterprise environments where accuracy, explainability, and auditability is non‑negotiable.
• Multi‑million‑pound programme leadership— you have held accountability for a large AI portfolio's outcomes and commercial performance.
• Senior stakeholder management in Financial Services, Public Sector, or equivalent regulated sectors— comfortable presenting AI strategy at board level and defending technical decisions to risk and compliance functions.
• Working command of AI governance frameworks (NIST AI RMF, ISO/IEC 42001 or equivalent) applied in practice, not in theory.
• Commercial acuity— the ability to identify AI opportunity, articulate value, and grow client engagement organically.

Highly Desirable:

• Direct experience in Financial Services regulation or prior CLIENT engagement.
• AI product development— having built and commercialised an AI product, accelerator, or reusable capability.
• MLOps / LLMOps and AI industrialisation at scale across multiple geographies.
• Enterprise architecture qualification (TOGAF, SAFe, or equivalent).