Head of AI is seeking exceptional leaders to join our network of fractional Heads of AI. Our mission is to help Financial Services organisations evolve into AI-enabled institutions — embedding AI strategically across their operations, products, and decision-making. We are looking for individuals who combine deep technical fluency with board-level leadership, capable of guiding organisations as they adopt and scale the new era of generative and agentic AI.
We work with organisations across banking, asset management, investment management, fintech, and insurance, typically ranging from £20m–£500m+ in revenue. These institutions face increasing pressure to innovate while maintaining strong governance, regulatory compliance, and risk management. Our fractional Heads of AI support leadership teams in embedding AI capabilities that improve efficiency, strengthen decision-making, and unlock new sources of value.
We recognise that few professionals have completed a full AI transformation. Therefore, we seek leaders with proven experience in digital, data, analytics, or operational transformation who are now applying that expertise to AI-led change. You understand how to translate ambition into action — guiding organisations through the cultural, operational, governance, and regulatory shifts required to unlock AI’s potential.
What We Are Looking For:
AI-Driven Business Transformation Leaders:
Proven experience leading complex transformation programmes where technology, data, and innovation reshaped business performance. Able to apply that experience to the generative AI era — guiding financial institutions through the shifts required to become AI-enabled organisations. Can connect earlier digital, analytics, or automation expertise with today’s agentic and generative AI capabilities.
Deep Technical Fluency:
Fluent in modern AI ecosystems including generative AI, agentic systems, AI copilots, and orchestration frameworks (e.g. LangChain, AutoGen, CrewAI). Understands how to combine traditional ML, analytics, and financial data systems with emerging AI architectures to deliver measurable commercial value. Evolved beyond a purely data science or analytics focus — able to bridge data foundations with GenAI strategy, agentic systems, and organisational enablement. Can lead technical reviews and guide delivery teams even if not coding daily.
C-Suite and Board-Level Communicators:
Able to simplify complex AI topics for executives and align AI investments with organisational strategy. Confident advising CEOs, CIOs, CTOs, and Boards on strategic implications, risk, governance, and ROI.
Change Leaders:
Strong stakeholder engagement and ability to drive adoption. Skilled in mentoring internal teams, developing AI literacy, and ensuring responsible AI practices. Understands data governance, regulatory requirements, and human-in-the-loop design needed for AI success in financial services environments.
Entrepreneurial Mindset:
Thrives in ambiguity and fast-paced environments. Curious about new AI tooling and pragmatic about implementation. Focused on delivering measurable organisational outcomes through experimentation and iteration.
What we are not Looking For:
Legacy executives (e.g. ex-CTO/CDO/CIO) without hands-on AI or GenAI understanding.
Academic or research-focused professionals without applied business outcomes.
Technologists who lack leadership or transformation delivery experience.
Consultants who only advise but have not led execution or implementation teams.
Corporate-only leaders reliant on large structures to operate effectively.
Desired Profile Summary
The ideal candidate will serve as a Fractional Head of AI / AI-Driven Transformation Leader, focused on helping financial services organisations design and execute end-to-end AI strategies, roadmaps, execution plans, and governance frameworks.
They will bring 10–20+ years of experience across AI, data, digital transformation, analytics, or fintech innovation, demonstrating a proven ability to translate technology into measurable business outcomes.
They are experienced AI, digital, or data transformation leaders — such as former Heads of Data Science, Chief AI Officers, AI Strategy Leads, or Digital Transformation Leaders — who have evolved beyond model development into organisational change and value delivery. Candidates with a data science foundation are welcome, provided they exhibit fluency in modern AI technologies (LLMs, copilots, orchestration frameworks) and possess strategic influence at the executive level.
They embody an entrepreneurial, adaptable, outcome-oriented, and collaborative mindset, thriving in fractional engagements typically spanning 1–5 days per week across multiple clients.
We welcome applications from professionals who have led significant transformation initiatives and are ready to bring that expertise into the AI era. If you are passionate about helping financial institutions harness AI responsibly and at scale, we’d love to hear from you.
Industry
Financial Services
Related LinkedIn sectors:
Investment Management
Wealth Management
Asset Management
FinTech
Banking
Insurance
Capital Markets
Payments