Director of AI Engineering

Director of AI EngineeringUK | HybridDirector Level | Technology Strategy OverviewWe are seeking a Director of AI Engineering, on behalf of a global Professional Services firm, to lead the strategy, design, and enterprise-wide adoption of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Intelligent Automation capabilities.This is a senior leadership role at the intersection of technology, strategy, and commercial impact, responsible for scaling AI across a complex global organisation. You will define the AI vision, build high-performing teams, and deliver transformative solutions that unlock measurable business value.You’ll work closely with C-suite stakeholders, global engineering teams, and external partners to embed AI-first thinking, accelerate innovation, and shape the future of intelligent enterprise systems—including emerging paradigms such as the agentic web.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership & GovernanceDefine and execute the enterprise-wide AI & Intelligent Automation strategyEstablish frameworks for Responsible AI, ethics, and model governance (e.g. EU AI Act, NIST AI RMF)Act as executive sponsor for AI architecture, operating model, and adoption roadmapAI & GenAI EcosystemLead the design and deployment of scalable AI solutions across Python, .NET, and cloud-native platformsDrive adoption of advanced frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow, Hugging Face, LangChain)Oversee integration of LLMs (OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, Mistral) via enterprise platforms (Azure OpenAI, Vertex AI)Implement RAG architectures and manage vector databases (Pinecone, Weaviate, FAISS, Milvus)Data & Engineering ExcellenceLead the evolution of modern data platforms (Databricks, Snowflake, Synapse, BigQuery)Ensure robust data engineering practices (Airflow, dbt, Prefect) and governance (Collibra, Purview)Drive scalable lakehouse architectures (Delta Lake, Iceberg, Hudi)Cloud, Infrastructure & MLOpsChampion multi-cloud engineering across Azure, AWS, and GCPLead MLOps strategy (MLflow, Kubeflow, SageMaker, Vertex AI) and CI/CD pipelinesEnsure scalable deployments using Kubernetes, Docker, and Infrastructure-as-CodeEnterprise Integration (.NET Focus)Integrate AI capabilities into enterprise-grade .NET ecosystemsModernise legacy systems using microservices, APIs, and event-driven architecturesEmbed DevSecOps best practices across all engineering workflowsIntelligent AutomationDrive enterprise automation using tools like Power Automate, Blue Prism, and Automation AnywhereImplement cognitive services (NLP, speech, vision) to enhance digital workflowsLead process mining and optimisation initiatives (e.g. Celonis)Analytics & Decision IntelligenceDeliver data-driven insights through advanced analytics and BI platforms (Power BI, Looker)Enable predictive modelling and optimisation using modern ML toolkitsSecurity, Compliance & Responsible AIEnsure alignment with enterprise security standards (SOC2, ISO27001, NIST)Champion explainability, bias mitigation, and ethical AI practicesLeadership & TalentBuild and lead high-performing global teams across AI, data, and automationFoster a culture of innovation, experimentation, and continuous learningDevelop strategic partnerships across academia, startups, and hyperscalersYour BackgroundProven experience leading enterprise-scale AI transformation programmesDeep technical expertise across Python, .NET, cloud platforms, and MLOpsStrong understanding of data governance, architecture, and DevSecOpsDemonstrated ability to deliver measurable business outcomes and ROIExceptional stakeholder management and executive communication skillsAdditional InformationTravel: Up to 60%Why This Role?This is a rare opportunity to define and lead AI strategy at scale, shaping how an organisation leverages cutting-edge technologies to transform operations, decision-making, and customer outcomes.You won’t just implement AI—you’ll set the direction for its future.