Director Data & AI

About S&S

Sullivan & Stanley is not a traditional consulting firm we're intentionally building something different. We're a company of relationship builders, consultants and entrepreneurs who believe how work gets done matters just as much as what gets delivered. We exist to challenge ineffective change and outdated consulting models, replacing them with approaches that are human, pragmatic and built for the realities of modern organisations.

Culture at S&S is something we take seriously not as a certification, but as a daily practice. We're committed to an environment where people are trusted, supported and encouraged to bring their full selves to work, balancing high standards with humanity, care and accountability.

We're deeply mission-driven. We want to change business for good, so that the next generation — including our founder Pat Lynes' sons, Sullivan and Stanley, who the company is named after inherit organisations that are healthier, fairer and better equipped for the future.

As we grow, we're pioneering a Service-as-a-Software approach to consulting, blending community, capability, technology and delivery at scale. This is a chance to join a firm in its next phase of growth and help shape what consulting becomes next not just participate in what it has been.

Our Values: Stand Connected · Stronger Together · Say it Straight · See it Through · Stay Sharp

About the Role

You are a strategic data and AI leader who thrives in an entrepreneurial, client-facing consulting environment building capability from scratch, shaping architecture and propositions, and partnering with senior leadership and clients to unlock value from data and AI.

You move easily between practice-building and hands-on delivery: one day setting the vision for a market-leading Data & AI practice, the next acting as Lead Enterprise & Data Architect on a strategic client transformation.

Reporting to the Head of Consulting and based in London (UK travel required), the Director of Data & AI will establish and lead Sullivan & Stanley's Data & AI capability, shaping both the consulting practice and the architecture behind our Intelligent Enterprise proposition.

Roughly 60% of your time goes to high-value client engagements and executive advisory as Lead Enterprise & Data Architect; the rest to growing the practice, developing propositions, supporting business development, and creating IP.

Responsibilities

Practice Leadership

• Set the vision, strategy and operating model for the Data & AI practice, including governance, budgeting and commercial framework
• Build market-leading propositions across Data Strategy, Architecture, Governance, AI Enablement and Intelligent Enterprise transformation
• Own capability growth: recruitment, mentoring, career pathways and competency frameworks
• Develop reusable methodologies and accelerators; partner with Sales and Client Partners on pipeline and strategic wins

Data & AI Architecture Leadership

• Define reference architectures and principles aligning Human, AI, Technology and Execution Intelligence
• Set best practice for data governance, metadata, information architecture and quality
• Develop AI operating models and Responsible AI frameworks
• Shape MissionHub's architectural direction and evaluate emerging technologies for the firm's propositions

Strategic Client Leadership

• Act as trusted advisor to CEOs, CIOs, CDOs, CTOs and Transformation Directors
• Lead as Lead Enterprise & Data Architect on complex transformation programmes
• Design target operating models for Intelligent Enterprise transformation
• Provide executive assurance and technical governance; build long-term client relationships

Practice Growth & Thought Leadership

• Publish thought leadership on the Intelligent Enterprise proposition
• Represent Sullivan & Stanley at industry events and roundtables
• Build strategic partnerships and reusable consulting/maturity frameworks

Leadership Responsibilities

• Build a high-performing consulting culture and develop future leaders
• Champion delivery excellence and cross-discipline collaboration
• Contribute to company strategy as part of the senior leadership team

Accountabilities Accountable for: a profitable, market-leading Data & AI practice; robust architecture and governance across engagements; delivery excellence on complex programmes; team recruitment and retention; collaboration with Sales and leadership; and the firm's external profile in Data & AI.

Skills & Qualifications

• Experience: Extensive experience leading enterprise data strategy, architecture or consulting functions, with a demonstrable track record building consulting capabilities or practices
• Architecture & Governance: Deep expertise in enterprise data architecture, governance and operating model design, with a strong understanding of AI architecture, data platforms and emerging technologies
• Transformation Leadership: Experience leading complex transformation programmes, with exceptional executive stakeholder management skills
• Commercial Acumen: Commercial awareness with experience supporting business development and proposal creation

Desirable: Experience developing AI-enabled consulting propositions and working within high-growth consulting organisations; knowledge of enterprise architecture frameworks and modern cloud ecosystems; experience across Financial Services, Insurance or other regulated industries; professional certifications in architecture, data management or cloud technologies.

Success Measures

Commercial Success

• Establish a profitable and sustainable Data & AI practice
• Deliver agreed revenue, utilisation and profitability targets
• Build a healthy sales pipeline and contribute to business growth
• Increase strategic client relationships and repeat business

Practice Development

• Successfully establish the Data & AI operating model
• Recruit and develop a high-performing consulting team
• Launch market-leading consulting propositions
• Create reusable intellectual property and delivery assets

Client Outcomes

• Deliver measurable business value across strategic engagements
• Maintain exceptional executive client satisfaction
• Increase repeat engagements and client advocacy
• Provide technical leadership on Sullivan & Stanley's most complex programmes

Market Impact

• Establish Sullivan & Stanley as a recognised voice in Data & AI consulting
• Publish thought leadership that supports the Intelligent Enterprise proposition
• Build strategic technology partnerships
• Increase external recognition through speaking engagements and industry participation

Benefits

• Borough Market office space with event space & bar
• Monthly gym membership contributions
• Access to learning and development opportunities
• Membership of The Change Society
• NEST Pension and Life Assurance
• Hybrid working

Additional Information

S&S value difference. We are working to be our best diverse selves and are committed to providing an inclusive, safe and amicable environment for all people, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and religion (or lack thereof).

We are an equal opportunity employer and our recruitment process is based on capability and experience.

S&S also values giving forward, which is why Business for Good is one of our five strategic pillars. We believe that to be good you need to do good, and all it takes is a company with an idea and passion to make something good happen. Our objectives for Business for Good are:

• Good for our people: create an exemplary and equitable working environment in which to learn and develop
• Good for our community: create a positive impact for the charities we support and provide our associate network with purposeful work
• Good for our clients: deliver meaningful and sustainable change