At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI strategy and embed intelligent capabilities across procurement and finance workflows.
- Company: Leading software provider focused on cloud-based solutions and AI innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, and benefits package.
- Other info: Opportunity to shape the future of AI in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Drive AI innovation and influence product direction at a senior leadership level.
- Qualifications: Proven AI leadership experience and strong technical background in machine learning.
The predicted salary is between 120000 - 150000 £ per year.
My client is a leading provider of software, delivering cloud-based solutions that help organisations manage procurement, supplier relationships, and financial processes end-to-end. As part of a major strategic transformation, they are investing heavily in artificial intelligence to enhance their platform capabilities and are now looking to appoint a Head of AI to lead this initiative from their Reading office.
The Head of AI will define and execute the company-wide AI strategy, embedding intelligent capabilities across procurement, finance, and supplier workflows. This is a senior leadership role reporting directly to the CEO, with significant influence over product direction, technology strategy, and long-term growth.
The Head of AI will ideally have the following attributes:
- Proven experience leading AI / Machine Learning strategy within a B2B SaaS or enterprise software environment
- Strong experience working with large language models (LLMs) and modern AI technologies (e.g. Claude, GPT, etc.)
- A degree qualification (BSc, MSc, PhD etc.) in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Mathematics or similar
- Strong programming and technical background (ideally Python and modern ML frameworks)
- Experience building and deploying production-grade AI systems at scale
- Strong understanding of data platforms, ML pipelines, and AI system architecture
- Experience applying AI within finance, procurement, ERP, or workflow automation systems would be highly beneficial
- Strong commercial awareness with the ability to translate AI into tangible product and revenue outcomes
- Experience leading and growing high-performing AI / Data Science teams
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders, including CEO and board
- A passion for driving innovation and staying at the forefront of AI developments
The Head of AI role will involve:
- Defining and delivering the company’s AI strategy aligned to overall business and product objectives
- Embedding AI capabilities across the platform, including procurement, supplier management, and finance workflows
- Driving the development of AI-powered features such as predictive analytics, intelligent automation, and decision-support tools
- Leading the design and implementation of scalable AI architecture and data infrastructure
- Building and managing a high-performing AI / Data Science function
- Collaboration closely with Product, Engineering, and Commercial teams to deliver AI-driven innovation
- Identifying and delivering new revenue opportunities through AI-enabled product offerings
- Establishing AI governance, ensuring compliance, security, and ethical use of AI technologies
- Acting as a key advisor to the executive team on AI trends, opportunities, and risks
If you are interested in this position, please apply with an up-to-date CV as soon as possible, along with your availability and salary expectations.
Head of AI employer: Halian | Managed Services, Recruitment Agency & Contract Staffing
Halian is an excellent employer for those looking to thrive in the dynamic IT and Tech recruitment landscape. With a flexible hybrid working model, competitive rewards, and a strong emphasis on career development, employees are empowered to grow their skills while building meaningful relationships with clients and candidates. The supportive work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, making it an ideal place for ambitious professionals in Reading.
Contact Details:
Halian | Managed Services, Recruitment Agency & Contract Staffing Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of AI
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of AI
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Halian | Managed Services, Recruitment Agency & Contract Staffing.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Halian | Managed Services, Recruitment Agency & Contract Staffing and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Halian | Managed Services, Recruitment Agency & Contract Staffing
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Halian | Managed Services, Recruitment Agency & Contract Staffing uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
