Principal AI/ML Consultant

Harnham; England; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Frequent UK client travel (fully exp**

Performance bonus

Strong benefits package

Job summary

Harnham is seeking a Principal AI & Machine Learning Consultant to lead high-impact client engagements across the UK. Based on this role focus, you will guide AI and analytics transformation from concept to operational delivery, working with senior stakeholders to shape solutions that deliver measurable business value.

You will lead multidisciplinary teams, mentor junior consultants, and contribute to growing the AI consulting practice, with frequent UK travel and hybrid working arrangements.

Qualifications

• 7–15 years in management or technology consulting.
• Experience in consumer, retail or FMCG sectors.
• Proven AI/ML or advanced analytics project delivery.
• Experience managing senior client relationships and executives.
• Ability to lead engagements from strategy through implementation.
• Strong commercial and consulting skills.
• Hands-on exposure to ML, predictive analytics, optimisation or GenAI.
• Experience developing consulting propositions or supporting business growth.
• Team leadership and people management experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead AI, ML and advanced analytics programmes for enterprise clients.
• Manage senior client stakeholders and influence business strategy.
• Identify opportunities where AI can drive commercial impact.
• Lead multidisciplinary delivery teams across data science, analytics and engineering.
• Turn technical concepts into practical business outcomes.
• Mentor and develop junior consultants.
• Contribute to the growth and development of the AI consulting practice.

Skills

AI/ML leadership

Client stakeholder management

Team leadership

Consulting skills

Business strategy

Cross-functional influence

Mentoring juniors

Opportunity identification

Job description

Principal AI & Machine Learning Consultant

UK Based | Hybrid Working

Frequent UK Client Travel (Fully Expensed)

We're partnering with a growing consultancy that helps some of the UK's most recognised consumer, retail and commercial organisations solve complex business challenges through AI, machine learning and advanced analytics. They are winning a lot of big projects and looking to expand their team.

The business is continuing to invest heavily in its AI capabilities and is looking for experienced consultants to lead high-impact client engagements across the UK. Based on the underlying role focus, candidates will be leading AI and advanced analytics transformation programmes while helping clients move from concept through to operational delivery.

This is an opportunity for experienced Principal Consultants, Associate Directors or Business Managers who enjoy combining technical depth with client leadership. Rather than building models in isolation, you'll work directly with senior stakeholders to identify opportunities, shape solutions and ensure AI initiatives deliver measurable business value.

The Role

You’ll be responsible for:

• Leading AI, machine learning and advanced analytics programmes for enterprise clients
• Managing senior client stakeholders and influencing business strategy
• Identifying opportunities where AI can drive commercial impact
• Leading multidisciplinary delivery teams across data science, analytics and engineering
• Turning technical concepts into practical business outcomes
• Mentoring and developing junior consultants
• Contributing to the growth and development of the wider AI consulting practice

What We're Looking For

• 7-15 years of experience within management or technology consulting
• Currently operating at Principal Consultant, Associate Director, Senior Manager or Business Manager level
• Strong consumer, retail or FMCG sector experience
• Proven track record delivering AI, machine learning or advanced analytics programmes
• Experience managing senior client relationships and executive stakeholders
• Ability to lead engagements from strategy through to implementation
• Strong commercial and consulting skills
• Experience across retail, consumer goods, eCommerce or customer-focused businesses
• Hands-on exposure to machine learning, predictive analytics, optimisation or Generative AI
• Experience developing consulting propositions or supporting business growth
• Team leadership and people management experience

Why Join?

• Work with some of the UK's leading consumer and retail organisations
• High-profile AI and machine learning transformation programmes
• Significant client exposure and responsibility
• Clear progression opportunities within a growing practice
• Varied project work across strategy, data science, machine learning and GenAI
• Collaborative and entrepreneurial consulting environment
• Fully expensed client travel

Package

• Performance bonus
• Frequent UK client travel (fully expensed)
• Strong benefits package

Please note: Sponsorship is not available for this position.