Head of AI Practice

OVERALL SUMMARY

At Close Brothers we look to recruit individuals from all different backgrounds and encourage you to apply even if you dont tick every box. We celebrate diversity and promote inclusivity. Vacancies are available on a part-time job-share or full-time basis because we know the best person for the job isnt always available full-time. Our aim is to facilitate requests wherever possible and managers will consider requests on an individual basis.

Join the Close Brothers Technology Team where you will leadthe Automation function andbe responsible for a mature estate of robotics deployed across all business unitsand for shaping and building an enduring enterprise AI capability.

Working as part of the Technology Product leadership teamour ideal team member will have previous experience in technology data/AI analytics or automation with significant delivery in regulated financial services with excellent influencing and communication skills.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Define and own the enterprise AI & Intelligent Automation strategy and multi-year roadmap aligning to Banking strategy customer outcomes and risk appetite.
• Run the AI & Automation portfolio and benefits realisation: shape business cases prioritise demand set OKRs/KPIs and report value risk and delivery health to senior stakeholders.
• Direct the identification assessment and delivery of high-impact use cases (e.g. service operations underwriting support credit and fraud analytics colleague productivity) from POC to production.
• Establish a modern AI engineering capability (MLOps/LLMOps): model development evaluation deployment monitoring drift management and continuous improvement.
• Lead the core AI Practice work closely with all other business units to deliver value and engage closely with the AI CoE (risk compliance architecture) to ensure AI is scaled safely across the organisation. Translate technical capability into business value and influence adoption through clear narratives
• Contribute to governance forums (architecture review model risk data governance operational risk) to ensure consistent decision-making and adherence to policy.
• Lead a high performing engaged team and sponsor people initiatives within the team

Developing Our People:as a line manager you will be responsible for inspiring and motivating your team as well as developing performance through coaching. You will encourage your team to take responsibility for their own personal development and provide support through regular feedback.

WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU IF YOU HAVE:

• Proven management of multidisciplinary technology teams and experience scaling a centre-of-excellence/practice.
• Experience of orienting technology functions around product and value with a focus on incremental and agile delivery of continuous and sustainable value to the business
• A track record delivering AI/technology solutions into production including model lifecycle management and operational monitoring.
• Strong knowledge of responsible AI and model risk management concepts (e.g. fairness explainability auditability validation controls) and experience working with Risk/Compliance.
• AI/ML engineering: Python modern ML frameworks feature engineering evaluation and experimentation design.
• MLOps/LLMOps: CI/CD for models model registry monitoring/observability prompt/version management RAG patterns and secure deployment.
• Evidence of management development (e.g. people leadership programmes coaching/mentoring training).

IT IS NOT ESSENTIAL BUT IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU HAVE:

• Experience implementing AI governance frameworks or chairing AI ethics/model risk forums.
• Knowledge of UK/EU AI regulatory landscape and practical implementation of controls.
• Professional certifications (cloud security agile/product) or postgraduate study in AI/ML/data science.
• Cloud certification (e.g. Azure / Data Engineer) and/or MLOps certification.
• Agile / Product certification (e.g. Scrum SAFe or equivalent).
• Security and risk certifications relevant to regulated environments (e.g. CISSP/CISM) and/or model risk qualifications.
• RPA platform certification.

We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We recognise that candidates may have specific needs that require adjustments to ensure they have a fair and equal opportunity to demonstrate their skills and abilities. Candidates who require the job description or application form in an alternative format or any other adjustments are encouraged to email us at or request a call back.

ABOUT US

At Close Brothers we support employees to balance their work life priorities and in this role you will be able to enjoy a mixture of hybrid working.

Close Brothers is a leading UK merchant banking group providing lending deposit taking and securities trading. We employ approximately 3000 people principally in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Close Brothers Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250.

To find out more about Close Brothers please visit our careers page: find out more about life at Close Brothers:
find out more about our benefits:
find out more about our commitment to creating an inclusive environment:
Our Responsibility - Diversity and inclusion Close Brothers Group

Close Brothers is a UK specialist banking group providing lending and deposit taking. We employ approximately 3000 people principally in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Close Brothers Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Our specialist lending and deposit solutions include:

• Commercial: Offers specialist and predominantly secured lending principally to the SME market.
• Retail : Provides intermediated finance through motor dealers motor finance brokers and insurance brokers and savings products for individuals and corporates.
• Property: Offers residential development finance to established UK property developers funding for commercial properties and bridging and refurbishment loans.

At Close Brothers we are here to help people and businesses thrive over the long term.

Through our deep sector knowledge and expertise focus on delivering excellent and specialist service and strength of established relationships we support our customers through the cycle. Our values of deep expertise consistent service and long-term relationships embody our distinctive culture and customer-centric approach.

We also recognise our responsibility to help address the social economic and environmental challenges facing our businesses employees and customers now and into the future.