AI Strategy Director

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.
• Advise senior leadership on AI transformation, emerging technologies and investment decisions, translating technical opportunities into clear business outcomes.

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.