At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the AI strategy and drive impactful AI initiatives across the organisation.
- Company: Major UK brand undergoing a transformative AI journey.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Opportunity to build and inspire a new AI organisation with executive visibility.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI and make a significant impact in a leading organisation.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in enterprise AI strategy and exceptional stakeholder engagement skills.
The predicted salary is between 140000 - 170000 € per year.
Data Idols are partnering with a major UK brand undergoing a significant enterprise-wide transformation, placing AI at the centre of its long-term business and technology strategy. This is a pivotal, newly created leadership role with the remit to define, influence, and drive the organisation’s entire AI agenda.
The Opportunity
As Head of AI, you will shape the strategic direction for how AI, including generative, agentic, and operational AI, is adopted, governed, and scaled across the organisation. You’ll create and lead a high-impact AI function that brings together existing ML, AI Ops, and emerging AI capabilities under a clear, unified strategy. This role is about vision, influence, and enterprise-wide impact. You’ll work closely with executive stakeholders to identify where AI can deliver meaningful commercial value, create competitive advantage, and transform customer and operational experiences. You will champion the responsible and strategic adoption of AI, ensuring cutting‑edge technologies translate into measurable outcomes. While you’ll have a strong technical grounding, this is not a hands‑on research or engineering position. Instead, you’ll provide strategic leadership, ensuring the right capabilities, standards, and governance structures are in place to successfully deliver AI at scale.
Key Responsibilities
- Set the enterprise AI strategy, aligning AI capabilities with long‑term business goals
- Build, lead, and inspire a new AI organisation, consolidating and uplifting existing teams
- Drive adoption of generative, agentic, and advanced operational AI across diverse business areas
- Influence senior stakeholders and guide the organisation on where and how AI can create real commercial leverage
Skills and Experience
- Proven leadership in defining and delivering enterprise AI strategy, including GenAI
- Strong understanding of AI platforms, MLOps, and modern AI tooling (without needing to be hands‑on)
- Experience translating AI opportunities into commercially impactful use cases at scale
- Exceptional communication, influence, and stakeholder engagement skills, able to operate confidently at senior levels
- Demonstrated ability to build new teams and uplift organisational capability
If you are motivated by shaping the future of AI within a major organisation and leading an agenda with significant executive visibility and impact.
Head of AI employer: Data Science Festival
Data Idols is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead the AI transformation of a major UK brand from its London base. With a strong focus on employee growth and a collaborative work culture, you will be at the forefront of innovation, driving meaningful change while enjoying competitive compensation and a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of AI
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry leaders, attend AI conferences, and join relevant online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Head of AI role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your vision! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to articulate your strategic ideas for AI adoption. They want to see how you can influence their organisation's future.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company’s current AI initiatives and think about how you can add value. Tailor your examples to demonstrate your leadership in AI strategy and stakeholder engagement.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can give you an edge. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of AI
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in AI strategy and leadership. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Head of AI, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Vision:In your application, share your vision for AI within a major organisation. We’re looking for someone who can influence and drive change, so let us know how you plan to shape the AI agenda and create commercial value.
Highlight Stakeholder Engagement:Since this role involves working closely with senior stakeholders, make sure to emphasise your communication and influence skills. We want to see examples of how you've successfully engaged with executives and driven AI initiatives in the past.
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. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Data Science Festival
✨Know Your AI Stuff
Make sure you’re up to speed with the latest trends in AI, especially generative and operational AI. Brush up on your understanding of AI platforms and MLOps, as you’ll need to discuss how these can be strategically implemented without getting into the nitty-gritty technical details.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading teams and driving AI strategy. Think about times when you’ve inspired others or built new capabilities within an organisation. This role is all about influence, so be ready to demonstrate your leadership style.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since you’ll be working closely with senior stakeholders, practice articulating how AI can create commercial value. Be prepared to discuss specific use cases where AI has transformed customer experiences or operational efficiencies, showing you understand the business impact.
✨Craft a Vision for AI
Think about your vision for AI within the organisation. Be ready to share your ideas on how to align AI capabilities with long-term business goals. This will show that you’re not just thinking about the technology, but also how it fits into the bigger picture.
