Head of Data & AI

About the Company:

At Projecting Success, we are redefining project delivery through advanced data analytics, AI and innovative solutions. Our mission is to empower organisations with innovative data analytics solutions, fostering efficiency, strategic insights and the successful delivery of projects through advanced training, cutting-edge data products, consultancy and community collaboration. The Project Data Analytics Coalition is at the core of what we do, working with major organisations such as Rolls Royce, MOD, United Utilities, EDF and others.

We are a small but growing company, but we have bold ambitions. The CEO is now looking for an Head of Data & AI to help deliver drive transformational change across the profession. 

Job Description:

As the Head of Data & AI, you will be responsible for leading and growing our data team, defining and executing the product strategy for our (largely open source) data and AI solutions. This role requires a leader who can combine strategic foresight with hands-on execution, driving innovation, operational efficiency, and business growth.

You will oversee the development of AI-driven solutions, including Marvin, Project Brain, Sense Making and the PDA Solution Centre, ensuring they align with market needs and deliver measurable impact. Our strategy is to ensure that our data, AI, and technology capabilities are aligned to helping apprentices and members of the coalition achieve their potential. By doing this, we will accelerate change, demonstrate impact and value, drive adoption, and position ourselves at the very heart of the movement. By doing this, we will accelerate change, demonstrate impact and value, drive adoption, and position ourselves at the very heart of the movement.

This role carries full P&L responsibility for the technical profit/cost centre, requiring a commercial mindset and a strong ability to translate technical innovation into business success. It also requires an articulate and confident leader with exceptional stakeholder management skills, capable of driving commercial success while fostering a culture of collaboration and technical excellence.

Remote, but must be UK based, preferably within 2 hours of London.

Person Specification:

First and foremost, we are looking for someone who is driven and eager to push the boundaries of data-driven project delivery. This role requires resilience, adaptability, and a hands-on approach to leadership. The ideal candidate should be able to manage complexity, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and inspire those around them.

The successful candidate will be:

• A strong leader who can balance strategic oversight with hands-on technical involvement.
• Highly collaborative, working seamlessly with the L&D and employer organisations to ensure alignment and integration.
• A forward-thinking innovator, always looking for new ways to enhance project delivery through AI and data solutions.
• An articulate and confident communicator, capable of engaging with clients, stakeholders, and apprentices at all levels.
• Solution-oriented, with the ability to solve complex problems and drive measurable outcomes.
• Resilient and adaptable, able to navigate ambiguity and thrive under pressure.
• Highly organised and disciplined, effectively managing priorities, backlogs, and investments in strategic initiatives.
• Entrepreneurial and commercially aware, ensuring that all technical solutions contribute to business growth and impact.

Responsibilities: 

1. Product Strategy & Technical Leadership

• Define and drive the product vision and roadmap for data and AI solutions, ensuring alignment with business goals and market opportunities.
• Own and manage the technical and product roadmap, delivering rapid pilots to validate ideas and exploring capabilities across Marvin (our Large Language Model), Project Brain (our project involving knowledge graphs), AI agents, Sense-Making, and the PDA Solution Centre.
• Prioritise product features based on customer needs, business impact, and technical feasibility.
• Continuously monitor industry trends, emerging AI technologies, and the competitive landscape to inform product development.
• Establish and maintain frameworks for data governance, security, and compliance within AI-driven solutions.
• Implement best practices for product governance, risk assessment, and compliance, ensuring alignment with industry regulations and company standards.
• Ensure best practices in AI/ML, data engineering, and product scalability are embedded in the development lifecycle.
• Continuously monitor industry trends, emerging AI technologies, and competitive landscape to inform product development.
• Manage risk mitigation strategies related to AI ethics, data privacy, and security.

2. Budgeting, Forecasting & P&L Management

• Take full P&L responsibility, ensuring products are commercially viable and deliver strong financial returns.
• Develop and manage budgeting and forecasting for data and AI product initiatives.
• Ensure cost-effective product development while maintaining high quality and innovation.

3. Team Leadership & Management

• Lead and mentor a cross-functional team of data scientists, engineers, and analysts, ensuring a clear focus on delivery and execution.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and high performance, while maintaining a results-driven approach.
• Ensure effective resource allocation, workload management, and skills development within the team, with a strong emphasis on delivering the plan and ensuring success.

4. Client Relationships & Business Development

• Act as the public-facing expert on data and AI products, engaging with key clients and stakeholders.
• Support the CEO with bids, proposals, and client engagements, ensuring AI solutions meet customer needs.
• Work closely with clients to gather feedback, identify opportunities, and drive the adoption of AI-driven solutions.

Qualifications and Experience:

·       Degree, Master’s, or PhD with 5+ years of experience in data, AI, or technology leadership.

·       5+ years of experience in product management, with a focus on AI, data, or technology-driven environments.

·       Strategic thinker with a data-driven, analytical approach to decision-making.

·       Demonstrable experience leading data teams across machine learning, dashboards, automation, and data engineering.

·       Strong background in defining and executing product roadmaps and go-to-market strategies.

·       Demonstrable experience in budgeting, forecasting, and P&L management.

·       Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams, including engineering, data science, and product management.

·       Hands-on expertise in AI, machine learning, data engineering, and cloud-based data solutions.

·       Strong team leadership, mentoring, and stakeholder engagement skills.

·       Emotionally intelligent, highly adaptable, and able to liaise with stakeholders at all levels.

·       Entrepreneurial mindset with a forward-thinking approach to innovation and execution.

·       Robust, resilient, and thrives under pressure while navigating ambiguity.

·       Excellent communication and presentation skills, capable of engaging, educating, and inspiring others.

·       Passionate about technology, data, and shaping the future of project delivery.

·       Exposure to startup or scale-up environments with high-growth potential.

Benefits and perks of the job:

·       Salary: £60-80k

·       Pension scheme

·       Continuous training and development

·       Opportunities to grow within our exciting journey.

·       Company pension

·       Work from home

·       Bonus scheme