Head of Data and AI Engineering
Head of Data and AI Engineering

Head of Data and AI Engineering

Full-Time 54000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Cynergy Bank

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the development of cloud-native data platforms and AI automation at Cynergy Bank.
  • Company: Join Cynergy Bank, the UK's innovative human digital bank.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid working, and generous holiday allowance.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on banking through cutting-edge technology and leadership.
  • Qualifications: Proven leadership in data or AI engineering with strong technical skills.
  • Other info: Be part of a culture that values innovation, growth, and work-life balance.

The predicted salary is between 54000 - 84000 £ per year.

Shape the future of Data & AI at Cynergy Bank. Join us and make a real impact by helping ambitious businesses and individuals achieve their goals through our award-winning human digital banking model.

What’s the opportunity? We’re looking for a Head of Data and AI Engineering to lead one of our core engineering pillars and drive the delivery of cloud-native data platforms and AI-powered automation across the bank. This is a high-impact leadership role at the centre of our technology transformation, responsible for building the data and AI capabilities that underpin our award-winning human digital banking model.

In this role, you will lead the teams that build and operate our data pipelines, analytics platforms, and AI-driven automation on Google Cloud. You will be accountable for delivering a portfolio of data and AI initiatives, with a strong emphasis on execution, engineering quality, and measurable outcomes. A key part of your remit will be to embed AI into real banking processes, enabling intelligent workflows, decision support, and natural language-based interactions using Gemini and other large language models. You will also shape the engineering standards and practices that govern data engineering, MLOps, and LLMOps across the organisation.

You will report to the Director of Engineering and work closely with Architecture, Risk, Compliance, Information Security, and operational teams to ensure the responsible, secure, and compliant deployment of AI throughout the bank.

Where You will Work: You will enjoy hybrid working, with 3 days in our London office and 2 days from home.

Why Join Us?

  • Impact: Lead a core engineering pillar delivering platforms and automation that directly influence customer experience, operational performance, and strategic decision‑making.
  • Growth: A culture that champions curiosity, innovation, and personal growth at every stage.
  • Flexibility: A culture that values work-life balance, supported by our hybrid working model.
  • Rewards: Recognition for your skills and contribution, including annual bonus opportunities and a comprehensive benefits package.

How You Will Make An Impact:

  • Build and operate cloud-native data platforms on Google Cloud, centred on BigQuery.
  • Deliver secure, scalable batch and real-time pipelines using Dataflow, Pub/Sub, Cloud Storage, and associated GCP services.
  • Drive the adoption of LLM-powered automation and Gemini-based solutions across the bank.
  • Implement MLOps and LLMOps best practices on Google Cloud.
  • Embed engineering standards for data quality, monitoring, automation, security, and resiliency.
  • Develop and mentor a team of data and AI engineers, fostering a strong engineering culture.
  • Work closely with partners across the bank to ensure responsible, compliant use of AI technologies.

What You Will Bring:

  • Proven leadership experience in data engineering or AI engineering teams.
  • Strong background as a senior software or data engineer prior to moving into leadership.
  • Deep hands‑on experience with Python (or Go/Java/Scala).
  • Demonstrated success delivering cloud-native data or AI platforms in production.
  • Extensive experience with Google Cloud Platform, particularly BigQuery, Dataflow, Pub/Sub, and Vertex AI.
  • Experience building automation using LLMs such as Gemini or equivalent.
  • Knowledge of orchestration and transformation tools such as Airflow/Cloud Composer and dbt/SQL-based frameworks.
  • Strong understanding of data governance, security controls, and regulatory requirements in financial services.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

How We Will Support You:

  • A salary and bonus package designed to recognise your skills and contribution.
  • 25 – 30 days holiday (with the option to buy 10 more).
  • Award-winning pension savings scheme.
  • Healthcare, life assurance, and income protection.
  • Hybrid working (3 days office, 2 from home).
  • Training and development opportunities.
  • Plus, a range of extras including lifestyle discounts, recognition awards, and volunteering initiatives, all designed to keep you supported and thriving.

Who Are We? Cynergy Bank is the UK’s human digital bank, combining personal service with smart technology to help ambitious businesses and individuals achieve their goals. We know that professional and personal lives often overlap, so our mission is to support customers in all their interdependent banking needs. Since 2018, we have lent over £4bn to scaling businesses and partnered with leading firms to deliver the future of banking.

This advert covers the main responsibilities and requirements. A full job description will be shared with shortlisted candidates. If you don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply as we value potential as much as experience.

At Cynergy Bank, we use anonymous screening at the first stage of recruitment, ensuring every application is reviewed fairly, based on skills and experience alone. The closing date for applications is Tuesday 24 February 2026. Please note, we may close the advert early if we receive a high volume of applications. Apply now to help shape the future of human digital banking at Cynergy Bank.

Head of Data and AI Engineering employer: Cynergy Bank

At Cynergy Bank, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation, personal growth, and work-life balance. As the Head of Data and AI Engineering, you will lead impactful projects in a hybrid working environment, supported by a comprehensive benefits package and opportunities for professional development. Join us in shaping the future of human digital banking while enjoying a rewarding career in the heart of London.
Cynergy Bank

Contact Detail:

Cynergy Bank Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Data and AI Engineering

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the data and AI space, especially those who might have insights into Cynergy Bank. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical skills and leadership experience. Be ready to discuss how you’ve successfully led teams and delivered cloud-native solutions. We want to see your passion for data and AI!

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your projects! If you’ve worked on any relevant data platforms or AI initiatives, make sure to highlight them during your discussions. Real-world examples can really set you apart from other candidates.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Data and AI Engineering

Leadership
Data Engineering
AI Engineering
Cloud-Native Platforms
Google Cloud Platform
BigQuery
Dataflow
Pub/Sub
MLOps
LLMOps
Python
Automation
Data Governance
Communication Skills
Stakeholder Engagement

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in data engineering and AI. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Head of Data and AI Engineering, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!

Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this is a leadership role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your experience in leading teams and driving projects. Share specific examples of how you've built and mentored teams in the past, as well as any successful initiatives you've led.

Highlight Technical Expertise: We’re looking for someone with deep hands-on experience in Google Cloud and data platforms. Be sure to mention your proficiency with tools like BigQuery, Dataflow, and any LLMs you’ve worked with. The more specific you are, the better!

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.

How to prepare for a job interview at Cynergy Bank

✨Know Your Tech Inside Out

As a Head of Data and AI Engineering, you’ll need to demonstrate your deep understanding of cloud-native platforms, especially Google Cloud services like BigQuery and Dataflow. Brush up on your technical knowledge and be ready to discuss specific projects where you've successfully implemented these technologies.

✨Showcase Leadership Experience

This role is all about leadership, so prepare to share examples of how you've led teams in data or AI engineering. Think about challenges you've faced, how you motivated your team, and the impact your leadership had on project outcomes. Be specific!

✨Understand the Business Impact

Cynergy Bank is focused on using technology to enhance customer experience. Be ready to discuss how your work in data and AI can drive business results. Prepare examples of how your initiatives have improved operational performance or customer satisfaction in previous roles.

✨Engage with Stakeholders

Communication is key in this role, so think about how you’ve engaged with various stakeholders in the past. Prepare to discuss how you’ve collaborated with different teams, such as compliance and security, to ensure responsible use of AI technologies. Highlight your ability to translate complex technical concepts into understandable terms for non-technical audiences.

Head of Data and AI Engineering
Cynergy Bank

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