Director of Artificial Intelligence

SearchWorks Pty Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

SearchWorks Pty Ltd is seeking a Director of AI to build and lead a new AI and data function within a global professional services context. The role reports into senior leadership and offers a clear route to partner.

You will own AI end-to-end, shape the strategy, recruit and mentor a team, and present to clients to demonstrate tangible AI transformations across automation, analytics, GenAI and agentic tools.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering AI or data transformation for clients, consulting or industry.
• Hands-on credibility with AI: built, deployed or led delivery of real solutions.
• Ability to lead client conversations at C-suite level and convert to work.
• Experience building or scaling a team or capability.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead the AI/data function from the ground up, including strategy, team and offering.
• Lead AI transformation programmes with senior client stakeholders.
• Turn AI use cases into working solutions: automation, analytics, GenAI and agentic tools.
• Scale successful pilots across a large client portfolio.
• Shape propositions, lead pitches and build long-term programmes.

Skills

AI transformation

Client-facing leadership

C-suite communication

Team building

Industry and tax/finance knowledge

Job description

Director of AI | Partner Track | Build and Lead a New Function

A global professional services firm is hiring a Director to lead AI and data for one of its specialist advisory practices. It’s a new role with a clear route to partner.

The practice already has a strong client base and a respected brand. What it doesn’t have yet is someone who owns AI end to end. That means deciding where it goes, building the team, and standing in front of clients to show what it can do for them.

What you’ll be doing

• Building and leading the practice’s AI and data function from the ground up, including the strategy, the team and the offering
• Working directly with senior client stakeholders to shape and deliver AI transformation programmes
• Turning AI use cases into real, working solutions: automation, analytics, GenAI and agentic tools that change how clients’ finance and compliance functions run
• Taking ideas from pilot to scale across a large client portfolio
• Winning work: shaping propositions, leading pitches and building relationships that turn into long-term programmes
• Growing and mentoring a team as the function scales

What you’ll bring

• A track record of delivering AI or data transformation for clients, consulting or industry, at manager, senior manager or director level
• Hands-on credibility with AI: you’ve built, deployed or led delivery of real solutions, not just strategy decks
• The presence to lead client conversations at C-suite level and turn them into work
• Experience building or scaling a team or capability
• A background in tax, ideally indirect tax, or in finance, compliance or regulated data. You don’t need to be a tax technical expert. You do need to understand the world the clients work in.

Why this one

• A genuine route to partner, with a clear plan to get there
• You’ll be building something from the start, not inheriting it
• A global brand and client access, with the freedom of a newly created role
• A senior package with bonus and benefits