AI Technical Lead

cancerresearchuk; Stratford-upon-Avon; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Cancer Research UK is seeking a Technical Lead in Artificial Intelligence to drive AI initiatives across the organisation. The role combines hands-on software delivery with strategic leadership, shaping scalable, secure systems and working across cross-functional teams.

You will collaborate with product managers, external partners, and internal stakeholders, guiding design decisions, ensuring delivery quality, and advancing AI capabilities for lifesaving research and supporter experiences.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering COTS and SaaS solutions.
• Hands-on coding with proven design patterns.
• Curiosity to learn new languages, frameworks, and tools.
• Deep technical expertise and independent problem solving.
• Strong interest in AI and innovation.

Responsibilities

• Lead AI initiatives from concept to scale and operation.
• Assess complexity, feasibility, and effort for delivery decisions.
• Identify platform/infrastructure changes to unlock AI capabilities.
• Collaborate with product managers and external suppliers.
• Provide technical assurance to partners and teams.
• Produce low-level designs and work plans.
• Surface risks and dependencies early for initiatives.
• Contribute to testing strategies for robust solutions.

Skills

COTS SaaS

Code quality

Learning mindset

Technical leadership

AI interest

Job description

Technical Lead - Artificial Intelligence

£70,000 - £77,000 plus benefits

Reports to: Head of AI Implementation & Enablement

Grade: P3 (MP)

Directorate : Chief Operating Office

Contract : Permanent

Hours: Full time 35 hours per week

Location: Stratford, London , high flexibility

We know great work doesn't happen in just one place or one way. This role is designed to be highly flexible, with the opportunity to work largely remotely , alongside occasional time in our offices for collaboration when it adds the most value.

Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.

Closing date: 18 September 202 6 , 23:55 . Note we are shortlisting on an ongoing basis - please do not delay applying for the role.

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

At Cancer Research UK, we are a community of professionals with purpose. Every day, we push boundaries to beat cancer-yet we know we must go .

Technical Lead - Artificial Intelligence

At Cancer Research UK, we're harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence to help beat cancer. From Generative and Agentic AI to machine learning, AI is becoming a transformative capability across our organisation - helping us work smarter, accelerate scientific discovery, and create more personalised and meaningful experiences for our supporters.

This is a chance to take on a highly flexible Technical Lead role where you can apply your deep technical expertise to purposeful work, while enjoying the autonomy to work largely remotely and shape solutions that genuinely matter.

About the role

As a Technical Lead, you'll play a critical role in turning ambitious AI opportunities into high - quality , scalable technology solutions. You'll work across the full lifecycle - from early - stage ideas and proof of concepts through to production - ready systems that are embedded into the organisation.

You’ll be accountable for technical quality and delivery, working in a highly matrixed environment alongside internal product teams and trusted external partners. Technology - agnostic and adaptable, you’ll help shape problem statements, align solution designs to our AI vision, and guide teams through complex technical decisions.

This is a hands - on leadership role that offers variety, influence, and the opportunity to help define how engineering practices evolve in the age of AI - all while supporting a mission that saves lives.

What will I be doing?

• Act as Technical Lead for key AI initiatives at different stages - from emerging ideas and proofs of concept through to solutions ready to scale and operationalise
• Assess technical complexity, feasibility, and effort, helping teams make informed delivery decisions
• Identify where foundational changes to platforms or infrastructure are needed to unlock AI capabilities
• Work with Product Managers and colleagues to assess when and how to partner with external suppliers
• Collaborate closely with Product and Project Managers, Architects, UX and Service Designers, and Business Analysts to understand user needs and iteratively design effective solutions
• Provide technical assurance and constructive challenge for external technology partners
• Validate high - level designs and support smooth transitions from design into delivery
• Produce low - level designs, technical work plans, and documentation in line with delivery standards
• Proactively surface technical risks, issues, and dependencies to initiative leadsContribute significantly to testing strategies and plans to ensure solutions are robust, secure, and reliable

What are we looking for?

• Experience delivering Commercial Off - the - Shelf (COTS) and Software - as - a - Service (SaaS) solutions, from procurement through to live operation
• Recent, hands - on experience writing clean, maintainable, and well - tested code using proven design patterns
• The curiosity and adaptability to learn new languages, frameworks, and tools
• Deep technical expertise and the confidence to tackle complex problems independently
• A strong interest in AI and innovation, with the ability to role - mo