Lead Data Scientist (AI)

TL;DR

Lead Data Scientist (AI): Driving technical delivery of demanding AI engagements and leading a team of data scientists and AI engineers with an accent on combining classical machine learning with modern GenAI, LLM, and agentic workflows. Focus on end-to-end delivery, mentoring the team, and acting as a technical partner to clients to ensure practical and commercially valuable AI solutions.

Location: Must be eligible to work in the UK without restriction and willing to travel to client sites for extended periods.

Company

hirify.global Data x AI is a leading consultancy specializing in data management, analytics, and AI innovation for diverse industry sectors.

What you will do

• Lead end-to-end delivery of data science and AI projects, ensuring technical quality and alignment with architectural vision.
• Combine classical ML techniques with modern GenAI, LLM, and agent-based approaches to solve complex business problems.
• Mentor and develop data scientists, AI engineers, and junior consultants to grow team capabilities.
• Translate business requirements into well-scoped analytical solutions and communicate effectively with non-technical stakeholders.
• Ensure best practices across the AI lifecycle, including experimentation, evaluation, deployment, and monitoring.
• Support pre-sales and client discussions with technical expertise and realistic project estimations.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of experience in data science or AI delivery, including hands-on leadership.
• Strong foundations in machine learning, statistics, and production-level implementation.
• Practical experience with LLMs, prompting, RAG, fine-tuning, and evaluation.
• Proficiency in Python and modern data/ML stacks.
• Must be eligible to work in the UK without restriction.
• Willingness to travel and work on client sites for extended periods.

Nice to have

• Familiarity with the Azure AI ecosystem (Azure ML, Azure OpenAI, Databricks/Fabric).
• Experience in business development or pre-sales support.
• Domain expertise in regulated or data-rich industries.
• Visible professional profile, publications, or open-source contributions.

Culture & Benefits

• BDP Plus reward programme with options for a 3-month paid sabbatical.
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays with a buy/sell option.
• Private medical insurance and life cover.
• Company pension scheme with 5% employer contribution.
• Bespoke online learning access via Udemy for Business.
• Cycle to work scheme and employee assistance programme.