Head of AI

Location: London (Hybrid)
Day Rate: £800-£1,000 per day (Outside IR35)
Contract Length: Initial 6 months with extension potential

About the Opportunity

We are partnering with a leading UK investment firm focused on scaling technology-enabled businesses across a diverse portfolio. As AI continues to become a key driver of value creation, they are looking for a senior AI leader to define and deliver an AI strategy across both the investment platform and portfolio companies.

This is a highly commercial role sitting at the intersection of data, technology, operations, and strategy. The successful candidate will help identify where AI can create measurable business value, drive adoption, and establish best practices across multiple businesses.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the firm's AI strategy across portfolio companies.
• Identify high-impact AI and machine learning opportunities that drive revenue growth, operational efficiency, and customer value.
• Partner with executive stakeholders, investment teams, and portfolio leadership to assess AI maturity and prioritise initiatives.
• Build AI roadmaps covering GenAI, predictive analytics, automation, decision intelligence, and emerging AI technologies.
• Lead AI governance, risk management, and responsible AI frameworks.
• Evaluate AI opportunities as part of investment due diligence processes.
• Establish best practices for MLOps, AI architecture, model deployment, and AI product development.
• Manage external vendors, consultancies, and specialist AI partners where required.
• Develop AI capability within portfolio businesses through coaching, training, and hiring support.

Required Experience

• Proven experience leading enterprise AI or data science functions.
• Strong track record delivering commercial AI solutions at scale.
• Experience working with senior executives and influencing business strategy.
• Deep understanding of Generative AI, LLMs, machine learning, and modern data platforms.
• Experience building AI operating models, governance frameworks, and adoption strategies.
• Background within private equity, consulting, technology, digital businesses, or fast-growth environments would be highly advantageous.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.

Desired Technical Expertise

• Generative AI & LLMs (OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, open-source models)
• Machine Learning & Data Science
• MLOps & Model Governance
• Cloud Platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)
• Vector Databases & RAG Architectures
• Data Engineering & Analytics Platforms
• AI Product Development
• Agentic AI & Workflow Automation

Success Metrics (First 6 Months)

• Complete an AI maturity assessment across the organisation and key portfolio businesses.
• Define and secure buy-in for a portfolio-wide AI strategy and operating model.
• Prioritise and launch 3-5 high-value AI use cases with clear commercial outcomes.
• Establish AI governance, risk, and compliance frameworks.
• Develop a repeatable framework for assessing AI opportunities during investment due diligence.
• Build relationships with portfolio leadership teams and create AI adoption roadmaps.
• Deliver demonstrable efficiency gains, cost savings, or revenue opportunities through initial AI deployments.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Opportunity to shape AI strategy across multiple high-growth businesses.
• Significant exposure to senior leadership and investment teams.
• Autonomy to build and execute an AI vision from the ground up.
• High-impact position focused on driving tangible business value from emerging AI technologies.

Rate: £800-£1,000 per day (Outside IR35)
Location: London (Hybrid)
Contract: Initial 6-month engagement with strong extension potential.