Lead, Vertical AI Products

IFS; Staines-upon-Thames; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading AI solutions provider in the UK seeks experienced Vertical Product Leads to bridge customer challenges and AI solutions. This role involves working closely with clients, leading cross-functional teams, and translating complex problems into actionable solutions. The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of industry experience and exceptional relationship-building skills. This company values flexibility and promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Benefits

Flexible working opportunities

Inclusive workplace experiences

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in a specific industry vertical.
• Strong understanding of business processes and operational challenges.
• Experience working directly with enterprise clients in a consultative capacity.
• Demonstrated ability to identify business problems and conceptualize solutions.

Responsibilities

• Develop expertise in a specific vertical industry.
• Build relationships with key customers to identify high-value AI solutions.
• Lead cross-functional teams to develop targeted solutions.
• Translate industry requirements into product specifications.

Skills

Operations expertise

Strategic thinking

Relationship building

Communication skills

Cross-functional leadership

Job description

Overview

IFS is a billion-dollar revenue company with 7000+ employees on all continents. Our leading AI technology is the backbone of our award-winning enterprise software solutions, enabling our customers to be their best when it really matters–at the Moment of Service. Our commitment to internal AI adoption has allowed us to stay at the forefront of technological advancements, ensuring our colleagues can unlock their creativity and productivity, and our solutions are always cutting-edge.

At IFS, we’re flexible, we’re innovative, and we’re focused not only on how we can engage with our customers but on how we can make a real change and have a worldwide impact. We help solve some of society’s greatest challenges, fostering a better future through our agility, collaboration, and trust.

We celebrate diversity and understand our responsibility to reflect the diverse world we work in. We are committed to promoting an inclusive workforce that fully represents the many different cultures, backgrounds, and viewpoints of our customers, our partners, and our communities. As a truly international company serving people from around the globe, we realize that our success is tantamount to the respect we have for those different points of view.

By joining our team, you will have the opportunity to be part of a global, diverse environment; you will be joining a winning team with a commitment to sustainability; and a company where we get things done so that you can make a positive impact on the world.

We’re looking for innovative and original thinkers to work in an environment where you can #MakeYourMoment so that we can help others make theirs. With the power of our AI-driven solutions, we empower our team to change the status quo and make a real difference.

If you want to change the status quo, we’ll help you make your moment. Join Team Purple. Join IFS.

Job Description

We are seeking experienced Vertical Product Leads who are the domain specialists for specific industrial sectors or horizontal use cases. These pivotal roles will bridge the gap between customer challenges and AI solutions, working directly with clients to identify high-value use cases and collaborating with our technical teams to transform these opportunities into market-ready products. You will serve as the industry authority, bringing deep sector knowledge and business acumen to guide the development of tailored AI solutions.

You will be responsible for becoming the voice of the customer within our organization, translating complex industry problems into well-defined use cases that our AI engineers will implement. This role requires exceptional relationship-building skills, a consultative approach to solution development, and the ability to lead cross-functional teams of technical specialists without necessarily having technical expertise yourself.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop deep expertise in a specific vertical industry (e.g., aerospace, energy, manufacturing) and become the internal authority on that sector's challenges, workflows, and opportunities
• Build and maintain relationships with key customers and industry stakeholders to identify high-value problems that can be solved with AI
• Collaborate with customers to define use cases, validate solutions, and drive adoption
• Lead small, agile squads comprising AI engineers and designers to develop targeted solutions for industry-specific challenges
• Translate industry requirements into clear product specifications that technical teams can implement
• Develop GTM and pricing strategies for applications in your industry vertical
• Guide the product development process from initial concept through to commercial launch
• Create go-to-market strategies for industry-specific AI solutions and support sales teams in customer acquisition
• Represent the company at industry events and build thought leadership in your domain
• Stay current on industry trends, competitive offerings, and emerging challenges to identify new opportunities

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in a specific industry verticals with demonstrated expertise in operations, strategy, or transformation
• Strong understanding of business processes, operational challenges, and strategic priorities in your industry
• Experience working directly with enterprise clients in a consultative or advisory capacity
• Demonstrated ability to identify business problems and conceptualize effective solutions
• Track record of successfully leading cross-functional teams to deliver products or projects
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate between technical and business stakeholders
• Experience managing product development lifecycles
• Demonstrated commercial acumen and ability to build compelling business cases
• Ability to develop trusted relationships with C-suite and senior executives
• Comfort with ambiguity and ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, evolving environments

Additional Information

We embrace flexibility and hybrid work opportunities to support diverse needs and lifestyles, while also valuing inclusive workplace experiences. By fostering a sense of community, we drive innovation, strengthen connections, and nurture belonging. Our commitment ensures you can work in a way that suits you best, while also engaging with colleagues to share ideas and build meaningful relationships.