Enterprise AI & Advanced Analytics Director

mars; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars is seeking an Enterprise AI & Advanced Analytics Director to lead a high-performing team of data scientists, ML engineers, and AI specialists. You will define AI strategies that improve decision-making, efficiency, and innovation across R&D, Finance, and Commercial functions.

You will champion a specification-first development approach, establish centralized AI expertise, and ensure AI initiatives meet governance, scalability, and ethical standards while partnering with senior Stakeholders

Qualifications

• 10+ years of leadership in Data Science, AI or Advanced Analytics.
• Spec-Driven SDLC experience with specification-first methodologies.
• Deep technical depth in predictive modelling and GenAI architectures.
• Strong cross-functional influence and ability to drive senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• AI Strategy: identify and execute AI initiatives across functions.
• Drive Spec-Driven SDLC: define data contracts and APIs before development.
• Deliver Enterprise AI Solutions: prototype and deploy AI/GenAI models.
• Lead a modern AI team: recruit, mentor, and scale engineers and scientists.
• AI Governance: establish guardrails and automated quality gates.

Skills

AI

GenAI

Machine learning

Leadership

Cross-functional

Spec-Driven SDLC

Education

Bachelor's degree (quantitative)

MS/PhD preferred

Job description

Job Description:

The Enterprise AI & Advanced Analytics Director will lead a high-performing team of data scientists, machine learning engineers, and AI Forward Deployed Engineers. By leveraging cutting-edge AI, Generative AI, and traditional machine learning, this leader will deliver impactful insights and business outcomes across Enterprise Functions (R&D/Labs, Finance, and Commercial).

The Enterprise AI & Advanced Analytics Director will play a critical role in defining and implementing AI strategies that enhance decision-making, streamline processes, and accelerate innovation. By partnering closely with senior stakeholders, this role will translate complex business challenges into actionable AI initiatives, ensuring Mars maximizes the power of data to fuel future growth ambitions.

A core focus of this role is transitioning the enterprise toward a modern, high-velocity development model by pioneering Spec-Driven AI SDLC methodologies. Establish a centralized hub of AI expertise, ensuring that all AI initiatives, from prompt engineering to complex agentic workflows. Ensuring products are built against rigorous, machine-readable specifications to guarantee alignment, scalability, and ethical governance.

Core Responsibilities

• AI Strategy: Collaborate with senior stakeholders across functions to identify and execute AI initiatives that enhance products, services, and operational efficiency.
• Drive AI Strategy & Spec-Driven SDLC: Champion a specification-first development methodology where AI behaviors, data contracts, and APIs are defined up front to accelerate delivery and ensure model reliability.
• Deliver Enterprise AI Solutions: Oversee the rapid prototyping, deployment, and automated testing of advanced AI, GenAI, and predictive models.
• Lead a Modern AI Team: Recruit, mentor, and scale a world-class team of data scientists and AI engineers optimized for high-velocity, spec-verified development.
• AI Governance: Define enterprise-wide guardrails, ethics, and automated quality gates using the Spec-Driven framework to continuously audit and monitor active models.

What We Are Looking For

• Leadership & Experience: 10+ years of progressive leadership in Data Science, AI, or Advanced Analytics, ideally within CPG, Retail, Telecom, or Financial Services.
• Spec-Driven SDLC Expertise: Proven experience managing AI/ML projects using specification-first methodologies, automated testing pipelines, and structured API contracts.
• Technical Depth: Deep intuition around both traditional predictive modelling (Regression, CLV) and modern GenAI architectures (LLMs, RAG, agentic workflows).
• Cross-Functional Influence: A strategic communicator who can translate ambiguous business challenges into precise technical specs and drive senior stakeholders to action.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field (Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering); Advanced degree (MS/PhD) preferred.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
• Join a purpose driven company, where we're striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• A strong focus on learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

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