Head of Data and AI

Robert Half is working exclusively with a global manufacturing business near Abingdon to recruit for a Head of Data and AI.This is a permanent role, paying up to £120,000 plus benefits, with hybrid working (on average 2-3 days a week in office). This role comes with full autonomy to lead and shape how data, analytics and AI create value across the organisation.

Reporting to the senior technology leadership team, this role will shape how data, analytics and AI drive value across an international operation. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity with responsibility for data strategy, analytics, AI products, and the cloud infrastructure that enables them. Key responsibilities include: Define and lead the end-to-end data and AI strategy

• Define and lead the end-to-end data and AI strategy
• Oversee the orgaisation's data platform, analytics products, and AI solutions
• Lead, develop, and set direction for a specialist team across data engineering, analytics and AI
• Ensure resilient, secure, and cost-effective cloud infrastructure to support data and AI workloads
• Build trusted, governed, and scalable data foundations for reporting, analytics, and operational decision-making
• Drive the adoption on AI solutions from concept through to practical business use

About You

• Strong experience leading enterprise data and AI strategy
• Expertise in data governance, standards, and responsible data practices
• Solid understanding of data engineering, pipelines, APIs, and scalable data platforms
• Experience in managing cloud-based infrastructure, ideally including Azure and Databricks
• Practical knowledge of machine learning and applied AI in business settings

On Offer

• Up to £120,000 plus annual discretionary bonus
• Pension matched up to 7.5%
• Private medical insurance
• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Sharesave scheme