Senior Manager, AI Forward Deployed Engineering - London

Cacheflow; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Databricks seeks a world-class leader to grow and guide the UK Forward Deployed AI Engineering (AI FDE) team. You will oversee a portfolio of EMEA accounts, recruit top data scientists and ML engineers, and drive AI transformations for strategic customers.

You will report to the Director AI FDE, partner with Field Engineering and Sales, and shape delivery methodologies and product feedback to inform roadmaps and GTM initiatives.

Qualifications

• Proven track record building and scaling AI/ML teams.
• Experience leading enterprise AI engagements with C-suite stakeholders.
• Deep technical expertise in ML, GenAI, and data science.
• Experience delivering production ML solutions in cloud environments (AWS/Azure/GCP).

Responsibilities

• Lead and scale the UK AI FDE team, including hiring, mentoring, and structuring for long-term growth.
• Develop and expand executive relationships with EMEA customers and partners at VP+/CIO/CDO levels.
• Align with Field Engineering and Sales to define joint strategies for strategic accounts.
• Own OKRs for AI-services led accounts, revenue, utilization, and references.
• Represent Databricks as a thought leader in AI/ML and guide product feedback into roadmaps.

Skills

Team leadership

Executive relationship building

AI/ML strategy

Enterprise delivery

Cross-functional collaboration

People development

Education

Graduate degree in a quantitative discipline

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

REQ ID: CSQ128R7

Location: London, United Kingdom - Remote location for candidates to be based in the United Kingdom region ONLY (not remote from any other country)

Mission

The Forward Deployed AI Engineering (AI FDE) team is a highly specialised customer-facing AI team at Databricks. We deliver professional services (PS) engagements to help our customers build and productionize first-of-its-kind AI applications with a focus on GenAI. We work cross-functionally with AI/ML Product, Research, and Engineering to shape long-term strategic priorities and initiatives.

We are looking for a world-class leader to lead and grow our UK AI FDE team. In this role, you will lead customers on their AI/ML transformation with Databricks, push the boundaries of our product, recruit and develop top data scientists/machine learning engineers, and manage a portfolio of key EMEA accounts.

You will report directly to the Director AI FDE.

The impact you will have:

• Lead and scale a world-class AI/ML professional services team, including hiring, mentoring, and building a team structure to support long-term growth and execution at scale
• Develop and expand executive relationships with EMEA customers and partners (including VP+, CIO/CDO-level stakeholders), acting as a trusted advisor during complex technical engagements and AI transformations
• Align with Field Engineering and Sales Leaders to define joint strategies for strategic accounts and ensure strong delivery coordination across functions
• Lead strategic AI PS initiatives, practice development, and standardised delivery processes; design scalable engagement models and reusable solutions for repeatability across the global team
• Shape cross-functional collaboration by influencing Product, R&D, and GTM—ensuring voice-of-customer insights and delivery learnings help inform the product roadmap and GTM strategy
• Own OKRs for AI-services led accounts, revenue, utilisation, and public references
• Represent Databricks as a thought leader in AI/ML

What we look for:

• Extensive experience managing, hiring, and building a team of high-performing data scientists/ML engineers and leaders, with a track record of scaling organisations through developing scalable processes and cultivating leaders
• Ability to scope, guide, and sell technical engagements, manage escalations, and ensure successful delivery in enterprise environments
• Deep technical expertise in ML, GenAI, and data science, and curiosity to continue to stay up-to-date in this ever-changing field
• Experience leading teams building cutting-edge production ML solutions in cloud environments (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
• Proven success in developing a strategy with senior executive stakeholders to define program-level goals, align technical vision, and build trust throughout complex enterprise engagements
• Demonstrated experience in cross-functional leadership roles, collaborating with Sales, Product, and GTM teams to drive business impact through AI/ML
• “Company-first” mindset
• Graduate degree in a quantitative discipline (Computer Science, Engineering, Statistics, Operations Research, etc.) or equivalent practical experience

Preferred

• Experience in a customer-facing consulting or professional services leadership role
• Experience working with Databricks

About Databricks

Databricks is the Data and AI company. More than 20,000 organizations worldwide — including adidas, AT&T, Bayer, Block, Mastercard, Rivian, Unilever, and 70% of the Fortune 500 — rely on the Databricks Data + AI Platform to build and scale data and AI apps, analytics and agents. Headquartered in San Francisco with 30+ offices around the globe, Databricks offers a unified platform that includes Genie, Lakebase, Agent Bricks, Lakeflow, Lakehouse, and Unity Catalog. To learn more, follow Databricks on LinkedIn, X, YouTube, and Instagram.

Benefits

At Databricks, we strive to provide comprehensive benefits and perks that meet the needs of all of our employees. For specific details on the benefits offered in your region click here.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

At Databricks, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone can excel. We take great care to ensure that our hiring practices are inclusive and meet equal employment opportunity standards. Individuals looking for employment at Databricks are considered without regard to age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other protected characteristics.

Compliance

If access to export-controlled technology or source code is required for performance of job duties, it is within Employer's discretion whether to apply for a U.S. government license for such positions, and Employer may decline to proceed with an applicant on this basis alone.