At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI transformation and drive measurable outcomes in a fast-paced financial firm.
- Company: Hoxton Wealth, a dynamic international financial advice firm based in Dubai.
- Benefits: Direct CEO support, opportunity to shape AI strategy, and a vibrant work culture.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant travel to Dubai and a chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of AI innovation in a rapidly growing global company.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in AI or digital transformation, preferably in financial services.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 120000 £ per year.
ABOUT HOXTON WEALTH
Hoxton Wealth is an international, independent financial advice firm headquartered in Dubai, co-founded in 2018 by CEO Chris Ball and Matt Dean. We operate across the UAE, UK, US, Australia, South Africa, Cyprus, Malaysia and Cambodia, primarily serving an expatriate client base, with the ambition to become truly global under a single, unifying culture. With approximately 400 team members and over $4bn in assets under management, we combine market-leading organic growth with a growing appetite for acquisition. A proprietary client app, enterprise AI tooling, a modern client management system and a recent global custody partnership with Pershing give us a strong digital foundation — and an entrepreneurial, founder-led culture that moves fast and rewards experimentation.
THE ROLE
The Head of AI Strategy owns the organisational energy behind Hoxton's AI transformation. This is not a purely technical post, and it is not a side-of-the-desk initiative. It is a senior leadership role that translates AI possibility into measurable commercial outcomes, builds the capability and culture for AI to take hold, and puts the guardrails in place that let people experiment with confidence. Two ambitions define success:
- Reduce client plan turnaround to a single business day
- Double adviser client capacity — from roughly 150–200 to 300–400 clients per adviser — while holding the current operating cost base
Both are achievable. Both require AI to work in a coordinated way, built into how the business actually operates.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Strategy & executive momentum: Own the AI transformation agenda: set direction, maintain executive momentum, and keep leadership aligned and confident. Co‑develop the vision for Hoxton's future organisational shape, using AI to maximise competitive advantage. Build the case that moves the organisation from experimentation to a funded, resourced programme.
- Roadmap delivery: Build and own the digital roadmap: prioritised use cases, delivery approach, resourcing and a phased Year 1 timeline. Prioritise ruthlessly — fewer, higher‑impact initiatives scored on feasibility, data readiness and time‑to‑value. Deliver through cross‑functional pods with clear ownership and a regular delivery rhythm into senior leadership.
- Innovation & culture: Cultivate bottom‑up innovation, giving divisions genuine autonomy to experiment locally. Design real incentives — recognition, reward and career visibility — for the best ideas. Build firm‑wide AI literacy through a practical programme covering safe, compliant use.
- Governance & enablement: Publish clear, usable AI governance: approved tools, data‑handling principles, prohibited uses and an escalation path. Scope a safe experimentation sandbox with the CTO — a lightweight environment for testing without central sign‑off or data risk. Establish measurement and feedback: baselines and KPIs that connect AI activity to real business outcomes.
- Translation & stakeholder leadership: Bridge business and technology, translating fluently in both directions. Surface opportunities and remove blockers across a distributed, multi‑jurisdiction organisation. Be Hoxton's external voice on AI transformation to clients, partners and the market.
THE FIRST 90 DAYS
- Days 1–30 — Listen, learn, build trust: a structured listening tour across functional heads, shadowing the advice process end to end, landing one quick win (the 1-day client plan pilot), with a weekly CEO/COO working rhythm from day one.
- Days 31–60 — Create foundations: publish a simple, usable AI governance policy, scope the sandbox with the CTO, establish the measurement baseline, and prioritise use cases against a meaningful uplift threshold.
- Days 61–90 — Secure the future: build the roadmap, secure Year 1 resourcing and budget with the COO and CFO, produce an AI literacy outline, and present to ExCo for sign‑off. The single most important deliverable is a fundable, resourced digital roadmap the organisation can commit to from Day 91.
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE (12–18 months)
- Adviser client capacity: ~150–200 → 300–400 per adviser (2x)
- Client plan turnaround: multi-day → 1 business day
- Active weekly AI use: >70% of licence holders
- Admin & paraplanning time: reduced by >40% per review
- AI governance: compliant policy live in every market
- AI‑linked profit impact: 3+ use cases with measured bottom‑line gain
- Bottom‑up innovation: 10+ ideas implemented per quarter
- AI literacy: 100% of AI tool users trained
WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR
This is a rare blend of strategist, builder, translator and trusted operator. We care less about a specific job title on a CV than about evidence of turning emerging technology into real organisational change.
Experience: Senior leadership experience driving AI, digital or data‑led transformation in a complex organisation, with a track record of measurable commercial outcomes. Comfort in high‑growth, founder‑led environments where decisions are fast and ambiguity is the norm. Financial services, wealth or another regulated, advice‑led industry is a strong advantage, as is multi‑jurisdiction experience. A record of building capability and culture across distributed teams — not just deploying tools.
Skills & knowledge: Deep, current, hands‑on understanding of frontier AI and LLMs applied to knowledge work: genuinely fluent, not conceptually aware. Fluency in AI governance and responsible‑AI principles; familiarity with regimes such as DFSA, FCA, SEC and ASIC is an advantage. Operating‑model and process design: able to map how work is done today and redesign it around AI. Roadmap creation, prioritisation and delivery discipline, with the data literacy to work with CRM/data teams and a CTO as a peer. Exceptional communication — able to carry both an internal narrative and Hoxton's external voice on AI.
Mindset: Bias to action: ships visible quick wins while building the foundations underneath. An enabler, not a gatekeeper: architects the conditions for others to innovate, and treats failure as learning. A trusted operator who builds relationships fast, shares openly and creates no surprises. Comfortable building for a future that isn't fully visible yet — and willing to spend significant time in Dubai, particularly in the first phase.
TRAVEL & PRESENCE
The role is UK-based; Hoxton's HQ and leadership are in Dubai. Presence is a programme requirement, front‑loaded into the first phase:
- Days 1–30: 3–4 weeks in Dubai — listening, shadowing and trust‑building can't be done remotely.
- Days 31–90: minimum one week per month, anchored to milestones.
- Ongoing: quarterly extended visits (1–2 weeks) once the operating rhythm is set.
WHY JOIN
- A rare mandate with real air cover — direct sponsorship from the CEO and COO.
- A genuine greenfield: shape the AI transformation of a fast‑growing, $4bn+ international wealth firm from the ground up.
- A strong platform to build on: clean data assets, modern infrastructure, Claude Enterprise already deployed and a young, low‑resistance workforce.
- Founder‑led pace: fast decisions, no committee delay, and the scope to build your own roadmap, team and operating model.
- Visible impact: measurable outcomes and early, CEO‑sponsored quick wins in a business that is ready to move.
Head of Artificial Intelligence Strategy employer: Hoxton Wealth
Hoxton Wealth is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide ample opportunities for professional development and advancement within the company. Located in a thriving area, our team enjoys a supportive environment that values each member's contributions to corporate governance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Artificial Intelligence Strategy
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
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Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like Hoxton Wealth. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from Hoxton Wealth.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like Hoxton Wealth. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Artificial Intelligence Strategy
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in Hoxton Wealth and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show Hoxton Wealth how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hoxton Wealth
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with Hoxton Wealth.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with Hoxton Wealth's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
