At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI engineering and MLOps teams to drive innovation and operational excellence.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking tech company shaping the future of AI.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, flexible working, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
- Other info: Enjoy 27 days annual leave and a supportive work environment focused on growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in AI while leading high-performing teams and driving change.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in AI Engineering with expertise in machine learning and cloud technologies.
The predicted salary is between 70100 - 100000 £ per year.
As a member of the CIO Technology Engineering senior leadership team, the Head of AI Engineering will lead the design, deployment, integration and continuous improvement of enterprise AI and machine learning capabilities, including ML platforms, generative AI, LLM services, feature pipelines and MLOps tooling. The role is responsible for establishing AI engineering standards, governance and best practices across the model lifecycle, ensuring solutions are scalable, secure, compliant and deliver measurable business value.
About the role
- Lead AI engineering, MLOps and platform teams, driving high‑quality delivery and operational excellence.
- Define and maintain engineering standards, AI guardrails and Responsible AI practices.
- Oversee model development, deployment, monitoring, evaluation and continuous improvement processes.
- Drive preventative controls, automation, observability and root‑cause analysis to minimise technical debt and service issues.
- Partner with Architecture, Risk, Compliance and business stakeholders to shape AI roadmaps and align delivery with strategic objectives.
- Provide clear reporting on progress, model performance and value realisation, identifying opportunities for improvement.
- Build, mentor and develop high‑performing teams through coaching, succession planning and recruitment.
About you
- Significant leadership experience in AI Engineering within a fast‑paced technology environment.
- Strong expertise in machine learning, MLOps, generative AI, LLMs, AI platforms and cloud technologies (e.g. Microsoft Azure AI/AzureML).
- Proven experience implementing AI engineering standards, deployment automation, model monitoring and Responsible AI frameworks.
- Excellent analytical, problem‑solving and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong written, verbal and presentation skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
- Passion for innovation, data‑driven decision‑making and continuous learning.
Regrettably we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
Benefits
- Competitive salary and £6k car allowance.
- Flexible hybrid working – please speak to your recruiter to discuss in more detail.
- Competitive bonus scheme – all colleagues are eligible for our annual 4Cs performance bonus.
- Physical wellbeing – private medical insurance (PMI), private specialist care and convenience.
- Financial wellbeing – 4x salary life assurance cover, income protection at no extra cost, matched pension contributions up to 10% and additional perks such as discounts, cashback, free mortgage advice and financial support.
- Mental wellbeing programme – thrive mental health app, colleague assistance 24/7, in‑house mental health first aiders, support groups and dedicated support team.
- 27 days annual leave +
Head of AI Engineering employer: Hastings Direct
Hastings Direct is an exceptional employer for Actuarial Graduates, offering a dynamic work environment in London that fosters professional growth and innovation. With a strong focus on employee well-being, the company provides competitive benefits including flexible working arrangements, a robust bonus scheme, and access to mental health resources. The collaborative culture encourages the development of cutting-edge actuarial skills through hands-on experience with modern tools like Python and AI, making it an ideal place for motivated individuals to launch their careers.
