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. The Opportunity 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. What You’ll Do 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. About You * 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 Why Join * 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 The Rewards We want you to love what you do and feel supported to do your best work. Their benefits include: * 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