Data & AI Practice Lead

JR United Kingdom; London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative firm is seeking a Data & AI Practice Lead to spearhead the development of its Data & AI Community of Practice. This pivotal role involves mentoring teams, driving impactful data transformation, and ensuring best practices in data engineering and AI projects. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in data science or engineering, with a focus on delivering value and fostering a culture of collaboration. Join a forward-thinking organization where your leadership will shape the future of data-driven solutions, ensuring success for both clients and internal teams.

Qualifications

• Experience in delivering Data & AI projects focusing on client transformation.
• Strong background in Data Science or Engineering from regulated industries.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement Data & AI Community of Practice to drive excellence.
• Mentor teams and collaborate with leadership for client success.

Skills

Data Engineering

Artificial Intelligence

Machine Learning

Commercial Acumen

Team Leadership

Client Transformation

Education

Bachelor's in Data Science

Master's in Data Engineering

Job description

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We’re excited to introduce the Data & AI Practice Lead position, a pivotal role that will define and advance our capabilities in data engineering, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. As a Practice Lead, you’ll spearhead the development of our Data & AI Community of Practice (CoP), ensuring that our methodologies evolve to drive business impact for both our clients and internal teams.

You’ll lead, mentor, and define best practices while playing a key role in hiring, resourcing, and commercial decision-making. This role is ideally suited for a candidate with a strong background in data engineering or data science – preferably with consultancy experience – and a proven track record in delivering and selling data-driven solutions.

In this strategic leadership role, you will mentor teams, typically comprising 8–10 data professionals, foster a culture of innovation, and work closely with clients to drive impactful data transformation.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement our Data & AI Community of Practice (CoP) to drive technical excellence, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing.
• Set objectives, track impact, and amplify thought leadership within our business and the industry.
• Define, document, and uphold best practices for Data & AI projects, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and quality across engagements.
• Drive continuous improvement by capturing lessons learned and integrating them into future projects.
• Mentor and develop team members, ensuring clear career progression.
• Collaborate with HR and leadership teams to align competencies, performance reviews, and salary structures to support the growing team and ensure client success.
• Work with leadership to optimize team structures and align skills with project and client needs.
• Support pre-sales activities by leveraging your technical expertise and consultancy experience to articulate the value of data services to prospective clients.
• Act as a strategic advisor to clients, guiding them through data-led transformation and driving innovation that delivers measurable business value.

Qualifications

• Experience in delivering Data & AI projects within clients with a focus on delivering value and client transformation.
• Solid background within Data Science or Data Engineering, ideally from highly regulated industries.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to manage budgets, track utilization, and optimize costs across a practice and multiple programs of work.
• A strong leader who drives team success above individual wins.
• Experience mentoring, coaching, and managing high-performing teams.
• Proven ability to influence, drive change, and foster a culture of collaboration and innovation.
• A strategic mindset, comfortable shaping client solutions, pre-sales, and technical strategies.