Interim Scaling Inference Lab Director in London

Salary: c.£120,000

Location: Kings X, London; Tues - Thurs (3 days) at HQ, Monday + Friday, anywhere

Employment Type: Full-time; we are open to discussing this opportunity as a part-time role (80%) or fractional commitment (25–50%) depending on mutual fit

Contract: Two-year fixed term, with the possibility of extension

Start Date: Immediate

The Scaling Inference Lab is an ARIA-backed, £50m testbed for next-generation AI hardware. Delivered by CommonAI CIC, it is building real, deployable rack-scale AI systems that enable startups and research groups to test new technologies in an open environment. Every six months, the Lab will build a new rack as a structured pilot, integrating promising technologies into working systems that can run AI models and be benchmarked against commercial alternatives. Its ambition is to create a route for breakthrough infrastructure technologies to prove themselves at system scale, reduce the cost of large AI systems and strengthen the UK's capability to build the infrastructure that powers AI.

As the Scaling Inference Lab Director, you will lead the Scaling Inference Lab, which is a part of the Scaling Compute Programme, ensuring the programme delivers, grows with purpose, and has the partnerships, operating model and long-term backing to succeed.

What you'll do:

• Take overall responsibility for the successful management and delivery of the Scaling Inference Lab, working closely with ARIA teams, project leads and delivery partners.
• Set and drive the programme's path to scale, including its operating model, long-term funding approach and governance arrangements.
• Represent ARIA in the relevant CommonAI governance structures and external partnerships as ARIA's senior representative for the programme.
• Maintain a clear view of delivery, progress, risks and opportunities across the programme's existing portfolio, and use evidence and judgement to guide decisions, unblock delivery and strengthen impact.
• Build and convene a high-quality network across academia, AI and compute infrastructure, industry, government, funders and the wider technical ecosystem.
• Develop trusted relationships with the institutions, funders and partners needed to support the Scaling Inference Lab's growth and long-term sustainability.

How we'll support you:

• A world-class operating team to support programme delivery, partnerships, contracting, funding processes and operational problem-solving.
• Close partnership with ARIA's Chief Translation Officer, Executive team, Programme Operations and technical colleagues, alongside the incoming Programme Director.
• Access to ARIA's networks across science, technology, government, industry and venture, helping you bring together the people and institutions the programme needs.
• The convening power, funding tools and organisational backing of ARIA to help turn an ambitious scale-up plan into reality.

Who you are:

We do not expect any single candidate to tick every box. However, standout applicants are likely to demonstrate many of these qualities:

• Deep credibility in large-scale compute, AI infrastructure, supercomputing or a closely related field, with an informed understanding of the technical, commercial and policy landscape.
• A strong track record of leading complex R&D programmes, projects or portfolios, with sound judgement on technical and delivery risk.
• The ability to turn an ambitious objective into a practical, credible plan: aligning delivery, funding, partnerships and governance around a shared goal.
• Strong networks across relevant parts of the UK and international compute ecosystem, and the judgement to build productive relationships with government, funders, industry and technical communities.
• Technical breadth across the AI infrastructure stack — from models and software through networks to compute hardware — and the ability to judge how compute technologies fit into larger rack-scale AI systems, including the practical constraints around interconnects, memory, hardware availability, power and infrastructure.
• Excellent judgement, communication and stakeholder-management skills, including the ability to assess progress against programme objectives, make clear evidence-led decisions with funded teams and ARIA colleagues, and represent ARIA confidently in senior governance settings.
• A public-service mindset and motivation to work on a nationally important capability, alongside a high bar for technical and operational excellence, integrity and appropriate management of conflicts of interest.
• The ability to work with focus and autonomy in a fast-moving, ambiguous environment, whether full-time, 80% or on a fractional commitment of 25–50%, while maintaining momentum on programme priorities and making difficult decisions.

Eligibility:

• You will bring significant technical depth and leadership experience relevant to the Scaling Inference Lab.
• Be able to travel regularly across the UK, and occasionally abroad, for meetings, events and engagement with partners and stakeholders.
• Spend regular time in person at ARIA's King's Cross office, with the exact pattern agreed to reflect your commitment and the needs of the programme.

If you are appointed, you must:

• Have, or be able to obtain, the right to work in the UK. ARIA can support suitable international candidates through the appropriate UK visa routes. Some international applicants may be subject to additional security and vetting checks.
• Successfully complete the required national security vetting.

Benefits:

• 27 days annual leave provision, with the option to buy/sell additional days
• Hybrid working arrangements; 60% in office / 40% at home
• Supportive environment for learning and development opportunities
• Enhanced family leave arrangements
• A free and confidential 24/7 employee assistance programme
• 2 days of paid volunteer days
• 5% defined contribution pension scheme with Smart Pension
• Cycle to Work scheme
• An excellent office location in Kings X, London

If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please notify us and we will make every effort to accommodate you. Disclosing any requests are intended to provide ARIA with the best opportunity to support candidates and will have no negative impact on your recruitment process.

ARIA adopts a highly considered approach to ethical and social responsibility. Our research and development activity will abide by the 3Rs principle.