At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI and data science projects, delivering real-world solutions and mentoring consultants.
- Company: Premium consultancy known for impactful AI transformation across various sectors.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for career progression to partner level.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with high visibility and flexible project-led work style.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI consulting while making a tangible impact on diverse industries.
- Qualifications: Strong background in data science and experience in delivering AI solutions.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
I'm hiring multiple senior hires to join a growing AI and Digital Transformation consulting practice within a premium consultancy. This team has recently secured significant investment and is scaling quickly, with multiple hires across Lead and Principal level. This is a role for people who want to own and deliver real AI transformation, not just advise on it.
The company is a high-end consultancy working across defence, consumer, and public sector clients, known for delivering complex, high-impact programmes. They've built a strong reputation on delivering measurable commercial outcomes, not just strategy - and are now investing heavily in expanding their AI capability to stay ahead of competitors.
Where you fit: You'll sit within the Digital / AI Consulting practice, working directly with clients to:
- Identify opportunities for AI and advanced analytics
- Design and deliver solutions end-to-end
- Embed those solutions into real business operations
This is a hands-on leadership role - combining delivery, client engagement, and mentorship of other consultants.
What you'll be doing:
- Lead the design and delivery of AI and data science solutions (LLMs, NLP, ML, etc.)
- Work directly with senior client stakeholders to shape and deliver solutions
- Build and deploy end-to-end AI products, not just prototypes
- Apply technologies such as LLMs, RAG systems, and agentic workflows to real business problems
- Translate technical outputs into clear commercial value and measurable impact
- Mentor and develop consultants, helping build capability across the team
- Help shape the consultancy's AI offering and go-to-market approach
Example work:
- Using LLMs to improve decision-making and workflow automation in complex environments
- Delivering predictive analytics in healthcare to improve outcomes and efficiency
- Building AI-driven optimisation tools in retail to improve pricing and margins
- Supporting large-scale programmes across defence and public infrastructure
What you bring:
- Core requirements:
- Strong data science / machine learning background
- Experience delivering AI / GenAI solutions (LLMs, NLP, etc.)
- Proven ability to take solutions from concept through to real-world deployment
- Experience leading projects, workstreams, or teams
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills - client-facing and commercially focused
- Evidence of measurable impact (revenue uplift, cost savings, efficiency gains, etc.)
- Nice to have:
- Consulting experience (highly preferred)
- Experience across regulated or complex sectors (defence, public sector, retail, etc.)
- Familiarity with modern stacks (Python, cloud, Databricks, APIs, etc.)
- Experience mentoring or leading junior team members
Why this role:
- Shape and scale a growing AI consulting capability
- Work on complex, high-impact projects across multiple industries
- Strong blend of technical delivery, commercial impact, and leadership
- High visibility internally and with clients
- Opportunity to progress to partner level over time
Working style:
- London base (or nearest office)
- Hybrid working, with regular client travel 3 days total per week
- Flexible, project-led environment
Interview process:
- Online assessment (incl. logical / aptitude test)
- Informal first conversation (director-level, including short presentation)
- Final stage onsite in London (presentation + discussion)
Lead / Principal Consultant (AI & Data Science) employer: Harnham - Data & Analytics Recruitment
Join a prestigious consultancy renowned for its commitment to delivering impactful AI and digital transformation solutions across diverse sectors, including defence and healthcare. With a strong focus on employee development and a collaborative work culture, this role offers the opportunity to lead innovative projects while mentoring the next generation of consultants. Enjoy the benefits of hybrid working in London, where you can make a tangible difference in real-world applications of AI technology.
Contact Detail:
Harnham - Data & Analytics Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead / Principal Consultant (AI & Data Science)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the AI and data science space. Attend industry events, webinars, or even local meetups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Lead/Principal Consultant role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio or case studies that highlight your experience with AI solutions. When you’re chatting with potential employers, share specific examples of how you've delivered measurable impact in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Brush up on your technical knowledge and be ready to discuss how you would approach real-world problems using LLMs, NLP, and other AI technologies. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms for client stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals who can help shape our AI consulting practice. Your next big opportunity could be just a click away!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead / Principal Consultant (AI & Data Science)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role. Highlight your experience with AI and data science, especially any hands-on projects you've led. We want to see how you've delivered real-world solutions, not just theory!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about AI transformation and how your skills align with our needs. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the role.
Showcase Measurable Impact:When detailing your past experiences, focus on the measurable outcomes you've achieved. Whether it's revenue uplift or efficiency gains, we love to see numbers that demonstrate your impact in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Harnham - Data & Analytics Recruitment
✨Know Your AI Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your data science and machine learning knowledge. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've delivered AI solutions, especially using LLMs or NLP. The interviewers will want to see that you can translate complex technical concepts into real-world applications.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this is a hands-on leadership role, be prepared to share examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past. Highlight your experience in mentoring junior consultants and how you've driven measurable outcomes in previous roles. They’ll be looking for someone who can inspire and guide others.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Demonstrate your strong stakeholder engagement skills by discussing how you've worked directly with clients to shape and deliver solutions. Prepare to talk about how you’ve identified opportunities for AI and analytics in past projects and the impact those had on the business.
✨Prepare for the Presentation
For the final stage, you'll need to present your ideas clearly. Make sure your presentation showcases your understanding of AI's commercial value and how it can solve real business problems. Practice delivering your points succinctly and confidently, as this will be key to impressing the interviewers.
