AI Accelerator Lead

AI Accelerator Lead

Salary £79,079.00 - £92,258.00

Hybrid working 50/50%

Southampton

My client is delivering world-class geospatial data and services that power innovation across government, business, and society. They are on a mission to unlock the full potential of location data and now, we’re accelerating that vision through artificial intelligence.

Lead the establishment of AI Accelerator - a strategic initiative designed to unlock enterprise-wide value from AI. This is a unique opportunity to combine technical leadership with programme-level influence, driving innovation through rapid prototyping, capability building, and cross-functional collaboration.

You’ll work as part of a multidisciplinary team exploring advanced AI techniques such as geo foundation models, agentic systems, and LLM orchestration. Your goal: deliver high-impact prototypes that evolve into scalable, production-ready solutions, embedding AI in real-world contexts to reduce adoption friction and build organisational confidence in responsible AI use.

Programme Leadership:
Design and operate the AI Accelerator as a structured, high-impact programme that drives experimentation, rapid prototyping, and capability development across the business

Exploration & Innovation:
Investigate emerging AI techniques, identify high-value applications, and surface associated risks and opportunities for the business.

Technical Delivery:
Own the design and build of prototypes, write production-grade code, conduct code reviews, and guide the transition from concept to scalable solution.

Capability Building:
Mentor participants, energise the AI Guild, and curate learning resources to strengthen skills and foster a culture of responsible experimentation.

Stakeholder Engagement:
Partner with product, data, and technology teams to align initiatives with strategic priorities and ethical standards.

Communicating Impact:
Track and communicate outcomes, insights, and recommendations to senior stakeholders, informing roadmap decisions and future investment.

• Proven experience in AI/ML engineering, software development, and technical leadership
• Strong understanding of modern AI techniques (LLMs, agentic systems, orchestration frameworks)
• Ability to write production-grade code and define engineering best practices
• Skilled in programme design, stakeholder engagement, and the evaluation of impact
• Passion for responsible AI adoption, including human-in-the-loop workflows and ethical application
• Familiarity with AI governance frameworks, regulatory compliance, and secure software engineering practices
• Ability to mentor, inspire, and influence across diverse teams
• Commitment to continuous learning and staying current with emerging AI technologies and industry best practices

• Be at the forefront of AI innovation in geospatial technology
• Work on cutting-edge projects with real-world impact
• Enjoy a collaborative, inclusive culture with flexible working options
• Access to professional development, competitive benefits, and a supportive environment

We want you to love what you do and feel supported to do your best work.

• Competitive salary and pension (contribute up to 12.07%)
• Performance‑related bonus (where applicable)
• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with service)
• Enhanced family leave, including paid partner leave
• Hybrid and flexible working options
• Learning and development support, coaching and mentoring
• Access to wellbeing support
• Volunteering leave and matched fundraising