AI & Data Science Lead

Keyloop; Reading; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Keyloop seeks an AI & Data Science Lead to establish an AI Centre of Excellence. This role involves shaping and delivering technical strategies for Generative AI, ML, and Data Science initiatives, while leading a growing team to drive innovation in creating exceptional technology solutions in the automotive industry.

Benefits

Inclusive work environment

Growth and development opportunities

Performance-based pay and benefits

Qualifications

• Experience in building and deploying GenAI applications.
• Strong knowledge of LLMs and prompt engineering.
• Experience leading technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the AI Centre of Excellence.
• Deliver high-impact GenAI use cases.
• Support ML engineer projects.

Skills

Generative AI

Machine Learning

Data Science

Python

Cloud-native architectures

Stakeholder management

Tools

AWS

Job description

Keyloop bridges the gap between dealers, manufacturers, technology suppliers and car buyers.

We empower car dealers and manufacturers to fully embrace digital transformation. How? By creating innovative technology that makes selling cars better for our customers, and buying and owning cars better for theirs.

We use cutting-edge technology to link our clients’ systems, departments and sites. We provide an open technology platform that’s shaping the industry for the future. We use data to help clients become more efficient, increase profitability and give more customers an amazing experience.Want to be part of it?

Position Summary

We are hiring a AI & Data Science Lead to head our AI Centre of Excellence. This role consolidates responsibilities across Generative AI (GenAI), traditional Machine Learning (ML), and early-stage Data Science. You will shape and deliver the technical strategy for our AI initiatives, while also acting as a hands-on engineer, mentor, and leader.

You will be responsible for delivering high-impact GenAI use cases, establishing core AI platform capabilities, supporting a Machine Learning Engineer on classical ML projects, and building the foundation for a future Data Science function. You will also define LLMOps and MLOps practices and ensure the infrastructure is in place to support long-term AI success across the business.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategy & Leadership

• Collaborate over the AI roadmap across GenAI, ML, and Data Science.
• Lead the AI Centre of Excellence, managing a growing team of AI engineers.
• Represent AI in senior product, engineering, and vendor forums.

Generative AI Delivery

• Lead design, prototyping, and deployment of GenAI use cases (e.g. co-pilots, AI agents, RAG systems).
• Establish scalable LLMOps practices including model evaluation, governance, and lifecycle automation.
• Maintain awareness of emerging models and integration strategies.

Machine Learning Engineering:

• Support the ML Engineer in model development, deployment, and monitoring.
• Contribute to pipelines, experimentation design, and MLOps enablement.
• Provide code and architectural reviews, as well as technical mentoring.

Data Science Enablement

• Act as Data Scientist to support analytics and decision-making needs.
• Develop experimentation frameworks, metric definitions, and statistical models.
• Help define the future structure, tools, and hiring profile for the Data Science function.

Required Qualifications:

• Proven experience building and deploying GenAI applications in production.
• Strong hands-on knowledge of LLMs, prompt engineering, and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG).
• Practical experience with traditional ML, including data pipelines and MLOps workflows.
• Working knowledge of statistical modelling and experimentation.
• Proficiency in Python and at least one additional general-purpose language.
• Strong understanding of cloud-native architectures (AWS preferred).
• Experience leading technical teams and mentoring engineers.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with AWS AI services (e.g. Bedrock, SageMaker, Lambda, Step Functions).
• Experience with low/no-code GenAI tools.
• Background in API design, platform development, or DevOps for AI systems.
• Exposure to ethical AI and data governance frameworks.

This is a greenfield opportunity to build a technically excellent AI capability from the ground up. You’ll lead the creation of GenAI, ML and DS practices at enterprise scale while contributing hands-on and shaping the future of data-driven products. Your work will directly influence strategic priorities and enable innovation across our software portfolio.

Why join us?

We’re on a journey to become market leaders in our space – and with that comes some incredible opportunities. Collaborate and learn from industry experts from all over the globe. Work with game-changing products and services. Get the training and support you need to try new things, adapt to quick changes and explore different paths. Join Keyloop and progress your career, your way.

An inclusive environment to thrive

We’re committed to fostering an inclusive work environment. One that respects all dimensions of diversity. We promote an inclusive culture within our business, and we celebrate different employees and lifestyles – not just on key days, but every day.

Be rewarded for your efforts

We believe people should be paid based on their performance so our pay and benefits reflect this and are designed to attract the very best talent. We encourage everyone in our organisation to explore opportunities which enable them to grow their career through investment in their development but equally by working in a culture which fosters support and unbridled collaboration.

Keyloop doesn’t require academic qualifications for this position. We select based on experience and potential, not credentials.

We are also an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We value diversity and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.