AI Strategy Director
Possible
Sponsorship likelihood
This employer issued few or no visas recently
£135,000 – £150,000 / year
Salary
Above P75 for SOC 1137
£86,000
Going rate
Offer clears by 1.6×
This role likely qualifies for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 1137 (61% match) is an eligible occupation, with a going rate of £86,000, and Dataworks is a licensed sponsor. That is our reading of the rules. Whether they issue a Certificate of Sponsorship is still their call.
This could also be SOC 2133 (IT business analysts, architects and systems designers). We read the code off the advert, so it is our best guess, not the employer's.
New graduate or PhD holder? Pick one of the lower rates.
What each route needs for this job
| Occupation code | New entrant 70% of going rate | STEM PhD 80% of going rate | Relevant PhD 90% of going rate | Standard rate 100% of going rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1137 Information technology directors Most likely code | £60,200 Clears | £68,800 Clears | £77,400 Clears | £86,000 Clears |
2133 IT business analysts, architects and systems designers Also possible | £38,400 Clears | £43,900 Clears | £49,400 Clears | £54,900 Clears |
We use the lowest threshold across the plausible codes. Likelihood is Possible at most when the pay clears only a lower rate, or only under a less likely code. A mark is for the top of the advertised pay. How the Home Office picks the code
About the role
AI Strategy Director - UK & Ireland
Location: London | Hybrid, minimum 2 days in the office per week
Salary: Up to £150,000 base + bonus + benefits
Contract: Full-time
About the company
Dataworks is partnering with a global digital entertainment business to appoint an AI Director for its UK & Ireland operations.
With a substantial digital and retail presence, the business is investing in AI to improve customer experiences, transform operations and drive commercial growth. This is an opportunity to shape that agenda and take AI initiatives from strategy through to delivery at scale.
The role
You will lead the design, implementation and scaling of AI, machine learning and cloud data capabilities across multiple brands and business units. You will identify where AI can create meaningful value, establish the foundations to deliver it and work across teams to embed solutions into everyday operations.
What you’ll be doing
- Define and deliver the UK & Ireland AI and data strategy, aligning investment and priorities with commercial objectives.
- Lead the integration of Generative AI, Agentic AI, machine learning and advanced analytics into customer-facing and operational workflows.
- Oversee end-to-end AI and data architecture, spanning machine learning pipelines, cloud data platforms, data warehousing and enterprise MLOps.
- Influence multi-cloud architecture across AWS, GCP and open-source AI ecosystems, balancing immediate delivery needs with long-term scalability.
- Lead, mentor and partner with teams across Data Engineering, Data Science, Software Engineering, BI, Analytics and AI Platform Engineering.
- Work with product, commercial and operational leaders to deliver solutions that improve customer engagement, efficiency and profitability.
- Represent UK & Ireland priorities within the wider global AI strategy.
What we’re looking for
- A senior AI, data or technology leader with a track record of delivering large-scale AI and data transformation programmes.
- Technical depth across AI/ML, Generative AI, Agentic AI, data engineering, MLOps and enterprise architecture.
- Experience designing and scaling cloud data and AI platforms.
- Commercial judgement, with the ability to connect AI initiatives to measurable improvements in customer experience, operational performance and revenue.
- Experience leading and influencing multidisciplinary teams within a complex organisation.
- Confident communication and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to advise and challenge executive leadership.
- A practical, hands-on approach and the ability to take initiatives from concept through to adoption and measurable impact.
- Comfort navigating ambiguity, setting priorities and shaping how teams work in a fast-paced environment.
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with Dataworks, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
Information technology directors (SOC 1137) · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · basic pay · ~63k in sample- Offer £135,000–150,000
- Middle half £71,656–119,860
- Median £93,236
- Going rate £86,000
- Threshold £41,700
- New entrant £60,200–77,400
Even the bottom of this range, £135,000, beats the market's 75th percentile. Dataworks pays in the top quarter for this occupation.
Similar sponsored roles
See all UK visa jobsNo close matches live right now.
Browse more sponsored jobs at DataworksAbout sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. Dataworks holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 1137 going rate of £86,000. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.