VP - AI Model Validation & Governance Lead

Barclay Simpson Corporate Governance Recruitment; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work with London office 2 days/

Exposure to senior governance bodies

Job summary

Barclay Simpson Corporate Governance Recruitment is seeking a Vice President to lead a Data Science team focused on AI model validation and governance in a major UK financial institution. The role is hybrid with two days per week at our London office, reporting to the Head of AI Validation & Governance.

You will independently review AI/ML models, design robust evaluation frameworks, and partner with development teams to lift governance standards across the function.

Qualifications

• We are open to candidates from banking, fintech, consulting, technology or other regulated/data-driven environments.
• Significant hands-on experience with Generative AI and Large Language Models, including governance and validation.
• Experience in AI/ML domains, Python and modern data science tooling; ability to communicate complex concepts to senior non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of Data Scientists focused on AI model validation and governance.
• Independently review, challenge and validate AI, machine learning and Generative AI models.
• Design and implement robust LLM evaluation and testing frameworks.
• Develop approaches for assessing model performance, reliability, explainability, bias and operational risk.
• Drive automation and innovation within the model validation process.
• Partner with AI development teams to improve model quality and governance standards.
• Present findings and recommendations to senior stakeholders and governance committees.
• Contribute to the strategic development of the AI Validation & Governance function.

Skills

People management

Stakeholder communication

Governance experience

AI risk awareness

Team leadership

Tools

Generative AI

Large Language Models

Python

Machine Learning

AI governance

Job description

Salary: £70,000 - 110,000 per year

Requirements:

• We are open to candidates from a wide range of backgrounds, including banking, fintech, consulting, technology or other highly regulated or data-driven environments.


• Significant hands-on experience with Generative AI and Large Language Models, whether from model development, implementation, testing, validation or governance.


• Experience in one or more of the following: Generative AI, Large Language Models and emerging AI technologies; AI model development, validation, governance or assurance; machine learning and advanced analytics; Python and modern data science tooling; designing evaluation frameworks for AI models; leading technical teams and developing junior talent; communicating complex technical concepts to senior non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop a team of Data Scientists focused on AI model validation and governance.


• Independently review, challenge and validate AI, machine learning and Generative AI models.


• Design and implement robust LLM evaluation and testing frameworks.


• Develop approaches for assessing model performance, reliability, explainability, bias and operational risk.


• Drive automation and innovation within the model validation process.


• Partner with AI development teams to improve model quality and governance standards.


• Present findings and recommendations to senior stakeholders and governance committees.


• Contribute to the strategic development of the AI Validation & Governance function.

Technologies:

• Agentic AI


• AI


• LLM


• Machine Learning


• Python

More:

We are a major organisation shaping the future of AI governance in one of the UKs leading financial institutions. We are building a growing AI Validation & Governance function focused on the safe and effective deployment of AI at scale, with a strong emphasis on Generative AI, Large Language Models and agentic AI. This is a high-profile Vice President role with direct reporting to the Head of AI Validation & Governance, offering a clear pathway toward broader leadership responsibility within AI Risk and Governance. The role is offered on a hybrid basis with 2 days per week in our London office. We are committed to fair recruitment processes, welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage applications from underrepresented groups.

last updated 36 week of 2026