At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development and fine-tuning of cutting-edge AI models for real-world applications.
- Company: Join a rapidly growing software organisation investing heavily in AI innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £120,000, bonuses, and flexible hybrid working options.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and direct exposure to senior leadership.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI while working on impactful projects that matter.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in fine-tuning AI models and strong Python skills required.
The predicted salary is between 120000 - 120000 £ per year.
Hybrid: Midlands-based 2-3 days in the office or remote contracts for candidates outside of 35 miles
Paying up to £120,000 + bonus + benefits
Permanent
Experis are delighted to be partnering with a highly successful and growing software organisation as they invest heavily in building a cutting-edge AI capability at the heart of their product suite. We are supporting them in the search for an AI Models Lead, a key foundational hire who will own the development, fine-tuning, and production delivery of domain-specific AI models within a large-scale programme. This is a rare opportunity to join at an early stage and build a fine-tuning capability from first principles, shaping how AI models are developed, evaluated, and deployed in real-world, regulated environments.
What You'll Be Doing
- Designing and leading the end-to-end model fine-tuning strategy, including SFT, LoRA / QLoRA, and optimisation approaches
- Selecting and evaluating base models (e.g. Mistral, Qwen, Phi, Falcon) based on performance, cost, and use case
- Defining evaluation frameworks and standards to ensure models meet production-grade quality and reliability
- Building and scaling a suite of fine-tuned models to support multiple product use cases
- Owning experiment design and reproducibility, including tracking, benchmarking, and iteration cycles
- Working closely with data, domain and product teams to translate real-world requirements into model behaviour
- Leading, mentoring, and growing a team of ML Engineers while remaining hands-on technically
- Driving models through to production environments, ensuring robustness, scalability, and performance
Experience Required
- Proven experience fine-tuning machine learning / LLM models in production environments
- Strong track record of deploying AI models at scale and understanding real-world failure modes
- Hands-on experience with Generative AI / LLM architectures and frameworks
- Strong Python engineering capability and familiarity with ML tooling (e.g. HuggingFace, PEFT, TRL, W&B)
- Experience working in cloud environments (AWS preferred)
- Ability to operate as a player-coach, combining deep technical expertise with leadership
- Pragmatic mindset, comfortable working in ambiguous, evolving environments
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders and influence direction
Why Join
- Opportunity to build and shape a core AI capability from the ground up
- Work on real-world AI use cases where accuracy and trust genuinely matter
- Highly visible role with direct exposure to senior leadership and strategic initiatives
- Join a business making significant long-term investment in AI-driven innovation
Head of AI Models & Fine-Tuning — Hybrid Role employer: Experis
Join a forward-thinking software organisation that prioritises innovation and employee development, offering a unique opportunity to lead the creation of cutting-edge AI capabilities. With a hybrid work model based in the Midlands, you will enjoy a collaborative culture that values your expertise while providing substantial growth opportunities and direct engagement with senior leadership. The company is committed to investing in its employees and fostering an environment where your contributions can make a significant impact on real-world AI applications.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of AI Models & Fine-Tuning — Hybrid Role
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and showcasing your experience with AI models. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable with the format.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on companies that align with your values and career goals. Check out our website for roles that excite you and fit your skills, especially in AI and machine learning.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make decisions.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of AI Models & Fine-Tuning — Hybrid Role
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of AI Models & Fine-Tuning role. Highlight your experience with fine-tuning machine learning models and any relevant projects you've led. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about AI and how your background makes you the perfect fit for this role. We love seeing enthusiasm and a clear understanding of our mission.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to highlight your hands-on experience with Python and ML tooling like HuggingFace or AWS. We’re keen on candidates who can demonstrate their technical prowess, so be specific about your achievements in these areas.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Experis
✨Know Your AI Models Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specific AI models mentioned in the job description, like Mistral and Qwen. Be ready to discuss your experience with fine-tuning and deploying these models, as well as any challenges you've faced in production environments.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves mentoring a team, prepare examples of how you've led projects or teams in the past. Highlight your ability to balance hands-on technical work with leadership responsibilities, demonstrating that you can be a player-coach.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect in-depth technical questions about model fine-tuning strategies, evaluation frameworks, and cloud environments. Brush up on your Python skills and be ready to discuss ML tooling like HuggingFace and W&B, as these are crucial for the role.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Strong communication skills are key for engaging with senior stakeholders. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, especially when discussing complex AI concepts. This will help you make a positive impression during the interview.
