Machine Learning Engineering Manager - Chat

Cleo; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and equity

Flexible work arrangements

Generous annual leave and pension contributions

Job summary

A fast-growing fintech company in London is looking for a Machine Learning Team Lead to join their Chat data science function. This role involves managing a team of ML engineers, developing production models for the Chat feature, and improving customer behavior datasets. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in deploying machine learning models and managing teams, as well as proficiency in Python. A competitive compensation package and flexible work arrangements are offered.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience building and deploying machine learning models to production.
• Experience managing high-performing teams of data scientists and ML engineers.
• Ability to write production-quality Python code.

Responsibilities

• Understand core problems faced by the Chat team and coordinate solutions.
• Manage and develop ML engineers in your squads.
• Identify opportunities for model and product improvements.

Skills

Machine learning model deployment

Team management

Python programming

NLP domain knowledge

Tools

Kubernetes

Docker

OpenSearch

Job description

Overview

About Cleo: At Cleo, we’re building a fintech product with a mission to change humanity’s relationship with money. We envision a world where everyone has access to a hyper‑intelligent financial advisor in their pocket. Cleo is a profitable, fast‑growing company with over $200M ARR and strong year‑over‑year growth.

About the role: You’ll join the existing Chat data science function at Cleo, a thoughtful team of ML engineers, analysts, and data engineers. You’ll build and deploy production models that developers will feed directly into the product, with a focus on the machine learning that underpins our Chat feature and how Cleo uses LLMs to drive more engaging, accurate, and personalized conversations about money.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Understand core problems faced by the Chat team and coordinate the ML function’s contribution to solving them.
• Identify opportunities for model and product improvements in Cleo’s datasets of customer behaviour.
• Manage and develop the ML engineers in your squads, coaching them to deliver on the roadmap.
• Build the headcount plan and oversee hiring and team development within your area to support growth.

About You

• Extensive experience building and deploying machine learning models to production.
• Experience managing and developing high‑performing teams of data scientists and ML engineers.
• Stays current with the latest research and experiments productively with new technologies, including LLMs and LLM agent design.
• Experience owning an ML roadmap and driving ideas to measurable business impact.
• Ability to write production‑quality Python code and willingness to be hands‑on.

Nice to have

• Domain knowledge of NLP, including evaluating LLM systems and fine‑tuning LLMs or other transformer models.
• Strong ability to communicate findings to non‑technical stakeholders concisely and engagingly.
• Experience with containers and orchestration: Kubernetes, Docker, and/or Mesos.
• Experience using vector databases such as OpenSearch.

The recruitment process

• Interview with a Recruiter (30 mins)
• Interview with the Hiring Manager (30 mins)
• Python Programming Interview (45 mins)
• White‑boarding session (60 mins)
• Technical Discussion (45 mins)
• Management Skills Interview (60 mins)

What you get for all your hard work

• A competitive compensation package (base + equity) with termly reviews, aligned to quarterly OKR planning cycles.
• Work at a fast‑growing tech startup backed by Balderton & EQT Ventures.
• A clear progression plan with support to grow, lead others, challenge the status quo, and own impact.
• Flexible work arrangements and a globally distributed team; if in London, a hybrid option with occasional in‑office days and travel coverage if located elsewhere.
• Company‑wide performance reviews every 4 months and generous pay increases for high performers.
• Equity top‑ups on promotions; 6% employer‑matched pension in the UK; 25 days annual leave plus public holidays (plus one additional day per year up to 30); 1 month paid sabbatical after 4 years.
• OpenAI subscription coverage; private medical insurance via Vitality (dental and life cover); online mental health support; enhanced parental leave; Workplace Nursery Scheme; regular socials and activities.
• And more.

EEO statement: We strongly encourage applications from people of colour, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, parents, carers, and people from lower socio‑economic backgrounds.

Note: App access for people in the UK & Europe: If you are an iOS user, please use the TestFlight link to try the app features. By submitting this application, you confirm that the information provided is true to the best of your knowledge, consent to processing personal data per Cleo AI’s Candidate Privacy Notice, and acknowledge that false information may affect employment eligibility.