Head Of It jobs in United Kingdom

Join Us in Shaping the Future of AI at Barclays.

We’re launching an exciting new initiative at Barclays to design, build, and scale next-generation platform components that empower developers - including Quants and Strats - to create high-performance, AI-driven applications.

As an AI/MLOps Platform Engineer, you’ll play a pivotal role in this transformation, working hands‑on to develop the infrastructure and tooling that supports the full lifecycle of machine learning and generative AI workloads.

This is more than an engineering role—it’s an opportunity to influence technical direction, collaborate across diverse teams, and help define how AI and GenAI are delivered at scale.

To be successful as an AI/MLOps Platform Engineer at this level, you should have experience with:

• Proficiency in Python engineering skills, especially in backend systems and infrastructure.
• Deep AWS expertise, including services like SageMaker, Lambda, ECS, Step Functions, S3, IAM, KMS, CloudFormation, and Bedrock.
• Proven experience building and scaling MLOps platforms and supporting GenAI workloads in production.
• Strong understanding of secure software development, cloud cost optimization, and platform observability.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Demonstrated leadership in setting technical direction while remaining hands‑on.

Some other highly valued skills may include:

• Experience with MLOps platforms such as Databricks or SageMaker, and familiarity with hybrid cloud strategies (Azure, on‑prem Kubernetes).
• Strong understanding of AI infrastructure for scalable model serving, distributed training, and GPU orchestration.
• Expertise in Large Language Models (LLMs) and Small Language Models (SLMs), including fine‑tuning and deployment for enterprise use cases.
• Hands‑on experience with Hugging Face libraries and tools for model training, evaluation, and deployment.
• Knowledge of agentic frameworks (e.g., LangChain, AutoGen) and Model Context Protocol (MCP) for building autonomous AI workflows and interoperability.
• Awareness of emerging trends in GenAI platforms, open‑source MLOps, and cloud‑native AI solutions.

You may be assessed on the key critical skills relevant for success in role, such as risk and controls, change and transformation, business acumen strategic thinking and digital and technology, as well as job‑specific technical skills.

This role can be based out of our Glasgow or Canary Wharf office.

To design, develop and improve software, utilising various engineering methodologies, that provides business, platform, and technology capabilities for our customers and colleagues.

• Development and delivery of high‑quality software solutions by using industry aligned programming languages, frameworks, and tools. Ensuring that code is scalable, maintainable, and optimised for performance.
• Cross‑functional collaboration with product managers, designers, and other engineers to define software requirements, devise solution strategies, and ensure seamless integration and alignment with business objectives.
• Collaboration with peers, participate in code reviews, and promote a culture of code quality and knowledge sharing.
• Stay informed of industry technology trends and innovations and actively contribute to the organisation’s technology communities to foster a culture of technical excellence and growth.
• Adherence to secure coding practices to mitigate vulnerabilities, protect sensitive data, and ensure secure software solutions.
• Implementation of effective unit testing practices to ensure proper code design, readability, and reliability.

• To advise and influence decision making, contribute to policy development and take responsibility for operational effectiveness. Collaborate closely with other functions/ business divisions.
• Lead a team performing complex tasks, using well developed professional knowledge and skills to deliver on work that impacts the whole business function. Set objectives and coach employees in pursuit of those objectives, appraisal of performance relative to objectives and determination of reward outcomes
• If the position has leadership responsibilities, People Leaders are expected to demonstrate a clear set of leadership behaviours to create an environment for colleagues to thrive and deliver to a consistently excellent standard. The four LEAD behaviours are: L – Listen and be authentic, E – Energise and inspire, A – Align across the enterprise, D – Develop others.
• OR for an individual contributor, they will lead collaborative assignments and guide team members through structured assignments, identify the need for the inclusion of other areas of specialisation to complete assignments. They will identify new directions for assignments and/ or projects, identifying a combination of cross functional methodologies or practices to meet required outcomes.
• Consult on complex issues; providing advice to People Leaders to support the resolution of escalated issues.
• Identify ways to mitigate risk and developing new policies/procedures in support of the control and governance agenda.
• Take ownership for managing risk and strengthening controls in relation to the work done.
• Perform work that is closely related to that of other areas, which requires understanding of how areas coordinate and contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the organisation sub‑function.
• Collaborate with other areas of work, for business aligned support areas to keep up to speed with business activity and the business strategy.
• Engage in complex analysis of data from multiple sources of information, internal and external sources such as procedures and practises (in other areas, teams, companies, etc) to solve problems creatively and effectively.
• Communicate complex information. 'Complex' information could include sensitive information or information that is difficult to communicate because of its content or its audience.
• Influence or convince stakeholders to achieve outcomes.

All colleagues will be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship – our moral compass, helping us do what we believe is right. They will also be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Mindset – to Empower, Challenge and Drive – the operating manual for how we behave.