Jobs in Sunderland, United Kingdom

Head of AI is seeking exceptional leaders to join our network of fractional Heads of AI. Our mission is to help mid-market companies (£20m–£500m turnover) evolve into AI-enabled organisations – 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 recognise that few professionals have completed a full AI transformation. Therefore, we seek leaders with proven experience in digital, data, or business 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, and governance shifts needed to unlock AI’s potential.

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 organisations through the shifts required to become AI-enabled businesses. Can connect earlier digital or automation expertise with today’s agentic and generative AI capabilities.

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 and analytics with emerging AI architectures to deliver measurable commercial value. Evolved beyond a purely data science or analytics focus — can bridge data foundations with GenAI strategy, agentic systems, and organisational enablement. Can lead technical reviews and guide delivery teams even if not coding daily.

Able to simplify complex AI topics for executives and align AI investments to business strategy. Confident advising CEOs, CTOs, and Boards on strategic implications, risk, and ROI.

Strong stakeholder engagement and ability to drive adoption. Skilled in mentoring internal teams, developing AI literacy, and ensuring responsible AI practice. Understands human-in-the-loop design and the organisational shifts required for AI success.

Thrives in ambiguity and fast-paced environments. Curious about new AI tooling and pragmatic about implementation. Focused on delivering measurable client outcomes through experimentation and iteration.

• 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.

The ideal candidate will serve as a Fractional Head of AI / AI-Driven Transformation Leader, focused on helping mid‑market organisations (£20m–£500m turnover) 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, or product 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, CAIOs, or AI Strategy Leads — 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 businesses harness AI responsibly and at scale, we’d love to hear from you.