At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead an innovation team to explore AI and automation opportunities in fintech.
- Company: Global financial technology business with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, hybrid work model, and hands-on experience with cutting-edge tech.
- Other info: High autonomy role with opportunities for rapid career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by building prototypes and driving AI solutions in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in AI solutions, strong commercial acumen, and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
AI Innovation Lead (Automation Lead) 6-MONTH CONTRACT | LONDON, HYBRID
Lead a two-person innovation team inside a large, global financial technology business, sourcing and framing AI and automation opportunities across the enterprise, then building working prototypes alongside a Specialist to prove them out fast.
You own the pipeline, the commercial case for every pilot, and the call on what gets scaled or killed.
High autonomy, light-touch direction, direct line to a Director.
What you'll do
Build and manage a pipeline of AI and automation opportunities sourced directly from business and operations teams.
Frame every pilot commercially before build starts, quantifying value (revenue, cost, risk, speed) and defining success criteria and stop conditions.
Build hands-on alongside a Specialist across the existing technology stack, including Microsoft, AWS, Salesforce and Snowflake.
Run structured pilots with real users, setting up measurement (baseline, result, delta) and reporting outcomes accurately and transparently.
Iterate quickly on feedback and flag early when something isn't working.
Manage relationships with business leads and bring partner functions in early so pilots don't stall at governance gates.
Own the team's tool and tech radar, testing new AI and automation tools against real use cases and sharing findings, tools tested, capability, cost, security posture, integration effort.
What you'll bring
Demonstrated experience building AI-enabled solutions, prototypes, agents or automations, hands-on, not just AI-aware.
Strong understanding of LLM strengths, limitations and risks.
Strong commercial acumen, able to size an opportunity, build a benefits case and defend the numbers to senior stakeholders.
Comfortable working directly with business teams, this is a business-facing role, not back-office engineering.
Consulting toolkit: structured problem solving, storytelling and crisp executive communication.
Sound judgement balancing value, risk, complexity and speed, and the discipline to conclude underperforming pilots early with clear rationale.
Independent, resourceful and comfortable with limited direction in a fast-moving, ambiguous environment.
Background in a consulting firm or technology company preferred.
Nice to have
Salesforce ecosystem, AI agent frameworks, AI coding tools, data platforms or the AWS ecosystem.
ML fundamentals, understands features in, predictions out, and can support model-adjacent pilots such as churn.
Payments, fintech or financial services background.
Experience training or supporting non-technical users on new tools.
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AI Innovation Lead (Automation Lead) in Slough employer: Xcede
Join a leading broadcasting client as a Security Architect and be part of a dynamic team driving significant cyber transformation. With a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with talented professionals while enjoying a supportive culture that prioritises employee growth and development. This role not only offers competitive compensation but also the chance to make a meaningful impact in a forward-thinking organisation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land AI Innovation Lead (Automation Lead) in Slough
✨Join Financial Networking Events
Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.
✨Utilise Temp Agencies Specialised in Finance
Reach out to temp agencies that focus on the banking sector. They often have strong ties with various firms and can help you secure short-term gigs that can help beef up your CV and get your foot in the door at firms like Xcede.
✨Connect with Alumni from Your Uni
Don't underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network. Many former students are working in banking and can help you find temporary roles or even offer mentorship. Reach out directly or attend alumni events to broaden your circle.
✨Stay Active on Job Boards and Company Websites
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards specifically for finance roles. Companies like Xcede might post temporary positions directly on their sites, so make sure to apply there too. Set alerts to catch those roles the moment they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace AI Innovation Lead (Automation Lead) in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at Xcede will be keen to see in your application.
Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at Xcede. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!
Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give Xcede confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Xcede
✨Brush Up on Financial Regulations
Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with Xcede.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure Xcede that you’re a reliable team player.
✨Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn
In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.
