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- Tasks: Lead AI and data science projects, delivering real-world solutions and mentoring consultants.
- Company: Premium consultancy known for impactful AI transformations 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 working arrangements.
- 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.
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.
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
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) in London employer: Harnham - Data & Analytics Recruitment
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) in London
✨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 in interviews, be ready to discuss how you've delivered real-world impact using LLMs or predictive analytics.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those client-facing scenarios! Since this role involves direct engagement with senior stakeholders, practice articulating complex AI concepts in simple terms. This will help you demonstrate your strong stakeholder engagement skills.
✨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 capability. Your next big opportunity could be just a click away!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead / Principal Consultant (AI & Data Science) in London
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 theoretical knowledge.
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 background aligns 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 applications and ensures you get all the updates directly from us. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Harnham - Data & Analytics Recruitment
✨Know Your AI Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of AI and data science concepts, especially LLMs, NLP, and ML. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these technologies in real-world scenarios, as the company is looking for someone who can deliver tangible results, not just theory.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves mentoring and leading teams, prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience. Think about times when you've guided a project from concept to deployment, and be ready to discuss how you engaged with stakeholders to achieve measurable outcomes.
✨Prepare for Client Engagement
This position requires strong client-facing skills, so practice articulating how you've successfully interacted with senior stakeholders in the past. Be ready to explain how you translated technical outputs into commercial value, as this will be crucial in demonstrating your fit for the role.
✨Nail the Presentation
For the informal first conversation, you'll likely need to give a short presentation. Make it engaging and relevant to the consultancy's focus on AI transformation. Use clear examples of your work and be prepared to answer questions about your approach and the impact of your solutions.