Head of Machine Learning & AI

Join a leading organisation in the digital and e-commerce space as our new Head of Machine Learning & AI. In this pivotal role, you will define and lead the machine learning and AI strategy for our Cards division, driving innovation that enhances customer experience and delivers measurable business value.

The Role:

• Lead and develop the Machine Learning & AI function, setting the vision and roadmap to scale impact across the business.
• Own all ML-powered systems including recommendations, ranking, search, personalisation, and promotion algorithms.
• Shape the company’s customer-facing AI strategy, exploring innovative features such as LLM-powered tools and generative experiences.
• Set technical direction, establishing high standards for modelling approaches, evaluation, deployment, and monitoring.
• Collaborate closely with Product, Engineering, Data Science, and MLOps to ensure seamless deployment and scalability of ML models.
• Build and lead a high-performing team of approximately six Machine Learning Scientists, fostering their professional growth and technical excellence.
• Promote best practices for model lifecycle management, experimentation, and operational monitoring to ensure robustness and reliability.
• Drive cross-functional alignment on ML & AI initiatives to maximise impact and deliver quantifiable results.

What You’ll Do:

• Define and scale the ML & AI strategy, aligning it with business objectives and customer needs.
• Take ownership of the commercial performance of key ML systems, continuously improving their effectiveness.
• Identify new AI opportunities, including innovative features and new product experiences driven by AI.
• Lead technical planning in modelling, feature design, and evaluation; implement scalable, maintainable ML practices.
• Manage and develop a team of skilled ML scientists, fostering technical expertise and leadership.
• Work closely with Engineering and MLOps teams to ensure models are effectively deployed, monitored, and scaled.
• Communicate the value and impact of ML & AI initiatives to senior stakeholders, influencing strategic decisions.

What We’re Looking For:

• Proven experience leading and owning ML or applied science teams, with a track record of delivering measurable impact.
• Deep expertise in building and evaluating ML systems such as recommendation engines, ranking, search, and personalisation.
• Strong understanding of AI approaches, including LLMs and generative AI, in a customer-facing context.
• Ability to set strategic technical direction and review work across a broad portfolio.
• Excellent communication skills to influence senior product, engineering, and commercial leaders.
• Experience working with engineering and platform teams (e.g., MLOps), with a clear grasp of production boundaries.
• A commercial ownership mindset, focused on delivering tangible results such as revenue, conversion, or engagement improvements.

Nice to Have:

• Experience in e-commerce or consumer-facing digital products.
• Hands‑on experience launching AI-driven features like personalisation, conversational interfaces, or generative experiences.
• Track record of improving ML team workflows and scaling impact efficiently.

Package:

• Salary range GBP 110,000 – GBP 120,000 per annum.
• Permanent, full-time role based in London, on‑site.
• Hybrid working arrangements considered.
• 40 hours per week.

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