Director of AI
Location: Hybrid – HQ in Shoreham-by-Sea
Reports to: Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer
The Opportunity
Focus Group is a £300m-revenue, 1,300-person technology services company backed by Hg Capital. Following our $1bn valuation in 2024, we’re scaling rapidly and investing in AI to transform how we operate and how we serve our 30,000 SME customers.
We’re seeking a Director of AI to lead the development and delivery of Focus Group’s AI strategy — shaping how artificial intelligence enhances our services, drives efficiency, and creates new customer-facing value propositions.
This is a pivotal role for someone with strong commercial and transformation experience who is passionate about the potential of AI and eager to turn that enthusiasm into measurable business impact.
The Role
As Director of AI, you will:
* Lead Focus Group’s AI strategy and roadmap, aligning initiatives to our growth objectives
* Partner with business and technology leaders to embed AI and automation across service delivery, customer experience, and internal operations
* Build and lead a small, high-impact AI team
* Evaluate and implement AI-driven tools and partnerships that deliver clear commercial and operational benefits
* Help design and launch new customer-facing value propositions powered by AI
* Define success metrics, governance, and value tracking for all AI initiatives
* Report progress and outcomes directly to the CSTO and executive leadership team
What You’ll Bring
Essential:
* Strategic and commercially minded problem-solver with a track record of turning ideas into delivered outcomes.
* Blend of consulting discipline and operational delivery – able to move seamlessly between boardroom strategy and frontline execution.
* Proven ability to drive cross-functional change and adoption, turning plans into measurable outcomes.
* Excellent commercial acumen, with a sharp understanding of how AI and automation create business value.
* High emotional intelligence and relationship-building skills – able to engage and influence both senior stakeholders and operational teams.
* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; comfortable using data and insight to guide decisions.
* Genuine interest in and working knowledge of AI – you stay curious, follow developments, and actively explore how emerging tools can be applied in real businesses.
Desirable:
* Experience working in B2B and technology-driven businesses
* Exposure to private-equity-backed or scaling organisations
* Prior experience in data, analytics, or automation programmes
What We Offer
* Competitive base salary, equity participation, bonus, and benefits package
* Opportunity to shape and own the AI agenda within an Hg-backed growth business
* Access to Hg’s AI thought leadership, ecosystem partnerships, and portfolio network, providing unique insight and support to accelerate impact
* Direct executive sponsorship and visibility across the organisation
* Collaborative, entrepreneurial culture focused on delivery and innovation
* Hybrid working – typically one or two days per week in our ShorehamHQ
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