Director - Data & AI

CompanyThe McLean Partnership

LocationLondon Area, United Kingdom

Posted At1/8/2026

UK Visa Sponsorship Analytics

Analytics are greyed out due to low classification confidence (28.0%).

Occupation Type

IT business analysts, architects and systems designers

Occupation Code Skill LevelHigher Skilled

Sponsorship Salary Threshold

£54,900 (£28.15 per hour)

Occupation rate applies

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Description

Location: London, UK (3 days in office)

Compensation: Competitive + Bonus

Our client is a boutique FS business with c. 2,000 headcount across the UK and overseas but are part of a much larger international parent business. We are seeking to appoint a Director of Data & AI to spearhead a major transformation in data and AI capabilities with a focus on legacy transformation, as well as upscaling of existing systems and identifying areas in which AI can be used more broadly across the organisation. It will be a hands-on leadership role and will have oversight of the IT and Data teams, reporting directly to the CTO.

The Role

As Director - Data & AI, you will:

Define and execute a comprehensive data and AI strategy aligned with business objectives.
Lead the migration from legacy platforms to modern cloud-based solutions (including Snowflake), ensuring operational excellence and data quality.
Manage a team of 4 direct reports and oversee a multidisciplinary team of ~50 professionals across data management, governance, engineering, and analytics.
Champion ethical and responsible AI practices while driving innovation in areas such as generative AI, large language models, and advanced analytics.

Collaborate with senior stakeholders across risk, compliance, operations, and investment teams to embed data-driven decision-making.

Establish KPIs to measure the impact of data and AI initiatives on business outcomes.

Key Requirements

Hands-on leadership style – able to lead by example and roll up your sleeves when needed.
Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, Data Science, Engineering, or related field.
Proven experience in data management, AI strategy, and technology transformation within a highly regulated environment.
Demonstrable track record of delivering complex data platform migrations and cloud adoption programmes.
Strong knowledge of data governance, architecture, and AI/ML technologies.
Experience managing large, diverse teams and developing talent internally and externally.
Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
Deep understanding of data privacy, security, and regulatory requirements across UK and international contexts.
Experience implementing ethical guidelines, bias detection, and risk mitigation strategies for AI systems.

Desirable

Background in financial services or investment management, or experience working in highly regulated environments.
Familiarity with Snowflake, Databricks, and SaaS-based data solutions.
Experience with S&P EDM (formerly Cadis).