At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI integration and development to enhance productivity and efficiency across the business.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company at the forefront of AI innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with potential to build a team as AI adoption scales.
- Why this job: Be a pioneer in AI adoption and make a significant impact on the organisation's future.
- Qualifications: Experience in technology transformation and strong understanding of AI tools required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Leading AI adoption, integration and development across Skilled Careers
Reports to
Managing Director & Senior Leadership team
Location
Hybrid with regular time at core office locations
Salary
Competitive, dependent on experience
Direct reports
- None initially; scope to build a small team as adoption scales
- Purpose of the Role
Skilled Careers is looking to appoint a senior individual to own and drive the adoption, integration and ongoing development of AI tools and workflows across the business.
This is a newly created role sitting at the intersection of technology, operations and change management - the successful candidate will identify where AI (including tools such as Claude and other LLM-based platforms) can improve recruiter productivity, client reporting, business intelligence and back-office efficiency, and will lead the practical rollout of these tools across teams.
This is not a narrow IT or data-science hire.
The role requires someone who can work directly with recruitment consultants, operations, finance and leadership to understand real workflow pain points, translate them into practical AI-enabled solutions, and manage the change process required to embed new ways of working across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and own a company-wide AI adoption strategy and roadmap, aligned to business priorities set by the Director and senior leadership.
- Identify and prioritise use cases across recruitment operations, business intelligence, client reporting, finance/credit control and marketing.
- Track emerging AI tools and platforms relevant to recruitment and staffing, and assess build-vs-buy options.
- Implementation & Integration
- Lead hands-on implementation of AI tools and workflows - including automation of reporting (e. g. performance dashboards, client reports, debtor analysis) and integration with existing systems such as Bullhorn.
- Work with external vendors and platforms (e. g. Anthropic, Microsoft) to configure and deploy tools securely and appropriately.
- Establish data governance, security and responsible-use guidelines for AI tools used across the business.
- Adoption & Change Management
- Train and support consultants, managers and support functions in using AI tools effectively and appropriately in their day-to-day work.
- Build internal champions and feedback loops to continuously improve adoption and identify new opportunities.
- Measure and report on the impact of AI initiatives - time saved, quality improvements, revenue or margin impact - to the Director and leadership team.
- Scope and, where appropriate, build bespoke internal tools (e. g. reporting generators, recruiter dashboards, client-facing deliverables) using AI-assisted development.
- Act as the internal expert and first point of contact on AI capability, opportunity and risk.
Person Specification
- Proven experience leading or delivering a technology, digital transformation or automation initiative within a business (recruitment/staffing sector experience a strong plus, not essential).
- Strong practical understanding of modern AI tools - LLM-based platforms (e. g. Claude, Chat GPT), automation/workflow tools, and how they apply to real business processes.
- Comfortable working hands-on with data and reporting tools (Excel, Word/document automation, Python or Node. js scripting an advantage).
- Excellent stakeholder management - able to work credibly with recruitment consultants and senior leadership alike.
- Strong communication skills, able to translate technical concepts into practical business language.
- Self-starting and comfortable operating with significant autonomy in a newly created role.
- Experience in recruitment, staffing, or professional services environments.
- Familiarity with Bullhorn or similar ATS/CRM platforms.
- Background in business intelligence, performance analytics or operations.
- Change management or training delivery experience.
- What Success Looks Like (First 6-12 Months)
- A clear, agreed AI adoption roadmap signed off by leadership.
- At least two to three high-impact workflows (e. g. client reporting, performance tracking) fully automated and adopted by the relevant teams.
- Measurable time savings and/or quality improvements reported back to the business.
- Growing internal confidence and capability in using AI tools safely and effectively across the business.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Head of AI Integration & Innovation employer: Skilled Careers
Skilled Careers is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation in the heart of Manchester. With a strong focus on employee development, we provide ample growth opportunities through training and mentorship, ensuring our team members thrive in their careers while managing exciting projects. Join us to be part of a supportive environment where your contributions are valued and rewarded.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of AI Integration & Innovation
✨Get Involved in Tech Transfer Events
Tech transfer is all about networking, so make sure you're attending industry conferences and seminars related to technology commercialization. Events like the AUTM Annual Meeting or local innovation workshops are clutch for meeting key players and learning what's trending—plus, you might just bump into someone from Skilled Careers!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Having a solid portfolio can really make you stand out. Highlight any projects where you successfully brought a technology to market or improved a process. Sharing case studies or insights on platforms like LinkedIn can catch the eye of recruiters at Skilled Careers, showing them you’ve got the chops for the job.
✨Leverage University Connections
Many universities have strong tech transfer offices—connect with them! They often have ties to industry and can help you get your foot in the door. Plus, you might find openings or internship opportunities that lead to this full-time role at places like Skilled Careers.
✨Engage with Online Communities
Join forums or online communities focused on tech transfer and commercialization. Platforms like ResearchGate or industry-specific Slack channels are great for connecting with professionals, discussing trends, and possibly learning about job openings before they hit the mainstream. Remember, your next opportunity could be just a message away!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of AI Integration & Innovation
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Tech Transfer Know-How:In the tech transfer and commercialization world, it's crucial to highlight your understanding of intellectual property, patents, and market analysis. Make sure your CV includes relevant projects or experiences where you successfully navigated these areas. Any certifications in commercialisation would also give you a serious edge!
Tailor Your Documents for the Role:Your cover letter should reflect not just your enthusiasm for the position at Skilled Careers, but also your knowledge of current trends in technology-transfer. Discuss specific cases where you've contributed to commercialising innovations or enhancing research outcomes—this will show you’re ready to tackle challenges head-on!
Quantify Your Achievements:In this field, numbers count! Whether it's successful licensing deals, funding acquired for projects, or percentage increases in collaboration outcomes, include these metrics in your CV. They not only make your accomplishments more tangible but also demonstrate your impact in previous roles.
Demonstrate Your Business Acumen:Understanding the business side is just as crucial as the tech side! When writing your application, weave in examples that illustrate your strategic thinking and your role in negotiations or partnerships. This balance of skills is what will set you apart for a full-time role at Skilled Careers.
How to prepare for a job interview at Skilled Careers
✨Demonstrate Your Tech Knowledge
Brush up on key technologies and trends in technology transfer and commercialization. Be ready to showcase your understanding of licensing agreements and the innovation lifecycle, as well as any specific tools or software used in the field.
✨Show Your Business Acumen
This role isn't just about tech; it's also about understanding the market. Be prepared to discuss how you would approach bringing a technology to market, including strategies for assessing commercial viability and potential partnerships.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect case studies or hypothetical scenarios during the interview. Think about how you'd approach real-world challenges in technology transfer, like negotiating a deal or handling stakeholder concerns—this can help us get a sense of your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Skills
In a full-time role, collaboration is key. Be ready to share examples of how you've worked with cross-functional teams in the past, particularly in scenarios that involved tech developers and business strategists coming together.
