director of data science

Overview

Our client is seeking a Director of Data Science to lead the delivery of complex AI and data science engagements whilst helping to develop and grow the Data Science capability. This is a leadership role suited to someone who combines deep technical expertise with strong consulting skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead complex Data Science and AI engagements from discovery through to implementation.
• Design end-to-end technical solutions addressing business challenges.
• Act as Technical Lead across multiple client programmes.
• Provide architectural oversight and technical decision making.
• Translate business problems into scalable AI and Data Science solutions.
• Deliver high-quality consulting whilst remaining technically hands-on where required.

Business Development

• Support Partners during client pursuits and proposal development.
• Provide technical credibility during sales engagements.
• Help shape client solutions that win new business.
• Build trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders.

Practice Leadership

• Support the operational leadership of the Data Science practice.
• Contribute to resource planning and staffing.
• Mentor and develop consultants across the practice.
• Support performance reviews and career development.
• Drive learning and capability development initiatives.
• Help build succession within the technical leadership team.

Required Experience

• Extensive experience leading Data Science and AI consulting engagements.
• Strong consulting background with experience advising senior stakeholders.
• Experience acting as Technical Lead on enterprise-scale programmes.
• Ability to balance commercial thinking with technical delivery.
• Experience designing AI, Machine Learning or advanced analytics solutions.
• Strong solution architecture capability.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Proven ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences.

Essential Technical Skills

• Data Science solution design
• AI solution architecture
• Machine Learning
• Technical leadership
• End-to-end delivery ownership
• Client consulting
• Technical governance
• Solution implementation
• AI transformation programmes

Desirable Experience

• AI Governance
• Responsible AI
• AI Ethics
• Enterprise AI strategy
• Agentic AI transformation
• Consulting within a technology consultancy
• Building or scaling technical practices

Success Measures

• Performance Will Typically Be Measured Against Client utilisation of approximately 70-75%.
• Successful delivery of client programmes.
• Contribution to winning new work.
• Techncal leadership across engagements.
• Development of the Data Science capability.
• Coaching and mentoring of consultants.
• Positive client feedback and commercial impact.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The Ideal Candidate Combines Strong consulting capability, Deep technical Data Science expertise, Commercial awareness, Excellent stakeholder management, Ability to lead both delivery and people, Hands-on technical credibility, Experience operating comfortably between business strategy and technical execution, Equally comfortable discussing AI strategy in the boardroom and reviewing technical solution design with engineering teams.