Head of Artificial Intelligence

Wave Group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Wave Group is partnering with a PE-backed client to appoint their first Head of AI, reporting to the CTO. This is a rare blank-canvas build role to create an AI function from zero and turn ambition into commercial outcomes that move the needle.

You will define the roadmap, shape the operating model and pace for embedding AI across the business over the next 12 to 24 months, own the strategy, resourcing and scaling as the team grows.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to define AI strategy and translate it into actionable plans.
• Experience building or scaling an AI/data function from early stages.
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to link technical delivery to business impact.

Responsibilities

• Define AI strategy and deliver measurable business impact.
• Shape resourcing and delivery models for early initiatives.
• Build and scale the AI function, including hiring decisions.

Skills

AI leadership

Strategic planning

Commercial mindset

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s or Master's in AI/CS/Data

Job description

We're partnering with one of our PE clients to find their first Head of AI, a rare blank-canvas opportunity reporting into the CTO, with a mandate to build the AI function from zero and turn ambition into commercial outcomes that actually move the needle.

This is a build role. You'll be defining the roadmap, shaping how the function should look, and setting the pace for how AI gets embedded across the business over the next 12 to 24 months.

What you'll own:

• Define the AI strategy and translate it into a delivery plan with measurable business impact
• Shape the right resourcing and delivery model to get early initiatives moving quickly
• Build out the function over time, including hiring decisions as the team scales
• Report progress to the exec team against clear value creation milestones
• Partner with data engineering and the wider tech function to ensure initiatives have the infrastructure to scale

What we're looking for:

• A track record of building or scaling an AI/data function, ideally from an early stage
• Comfortable operating at pace in a high-growth, investment-backed environment
• Strong judgement on how to resource initiatives when time and budget are tight
• Commercially minded, able to connect technical delivery to business outcomes

What success looks like in the first 6 months:

A signed-off AI strategy, at least one initiative delivering real, demonstrable value, and a clear operating model in place for how the function runs going forward.

Interested in hearing from people who've done this before.