Head of AI

Job description Head of AIArtificial Intelligence and InnovationReporting to Chief Product & Technology Officer (CPTO)Who are we?At Bright, we have engineered innovative software for accounting, payroll, tax, and practice management. We have assembled a team of top talent and stand ready to lead the industry with our superior software solutions and unparalleled customer support.We are brilliant people creating brilliant software! Join us in our mission to create brilliant software that empowers businesses to reach new heights.The opportunitySeeking an experienced and passionate Head of AI to join our team and who will be responsible for shaping and driving Brights AI Strategy, ensuring alignment across multiple areas, including Systems & Tooling, Content, and IP (Intellectual Property), AI Environments, Execution, Investment and Acquisitions.The ideal candidate will be highly skilled in strategy and project management, with a strong background in AI, machine learning and data science. As Head of AI you will collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand their needs and foster an innovative culture, prioritise opportunities, and develop solutions to harness the power of AI in a coherent strategy that helps solves complex business problems and aligns with Bright's overall objectives.ResponsibilitiesStrategic LeadershipDevelop and implement the company's AI strategy across Systems & Tooling, Content & IP, AI Environments, Execution, Investment, and potential Acquisitions.Identify opportunities for AI in each of the above areas.Manage AI projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget and meet quality standards.ExecutionLead and manage AI projects from inception to deployment, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.Implement agile methodologies to enhance project execution and delivery.Oversee the execution of AI initiatives, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality outcomes.Establish and maintain robust AI environments that support experimentation and deployment. Oversee the development and deployment of AI environments, systems, and tools to enhance operational efficiency.Collaborate with IT and engineering teams to maintain and improve AI infrastructure as needed.Collaborate with cloud and infrastructure teams to optimize and integrate AI environments and/or solutions.Ensure the integration of AI technologies with existing systems and tools, ensuring and maintaining scalability, reliability, and security.InvestmentIdentify and evaluate potential investment opportunities in AI technologies and startups.Develop business cases for AI investments and secure necessary funding.Manage relationships with external partners and stakeholders in the AI investment community.Talent DevelopmentBuild and lead a team of AI specialists and data scientists, overseeing the design, development, and deployment of AI Products, models and algorithms.Recruit and retain top AI talent to build a high-performing team.Provide ongoing training and development opportunities for team members.Collaboration & CommunicationWork closely with senior leadership to define AI-driven business strategies.Collaborate with various departments to understand their needs and develop AI solutions accordingly.Present strategy, progress, reports, and updates on AI projects to senior management and stakeholders at all levels.Collaborate with product, engineering, and data science teams to integrate AI solutions.Innovation & ResearchStay updated with the latest AI trends and technologies and apply this knowledge to improve our AI policies, systems, and practices.Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement in AI.Encourage experimentation and exploration of new AI methodologies and technologies.Guide research efforts to solve complex problems and develop proprietary AI capabilities.Environments, Systems & ToolingOur preference is to leverage Microsoft Azures OpenAI environment, and we have deployed our own BrightGPT secure environment for internal experimentation, based on the latest GPT-4o model.Content & IPLead initiatives across the business to leverage AI for content creation, management, and protection.Develop strategies to enhance intellectual property (IP) using AI technologies.Collaborate with legal and content teams to ensure AI applications comply with IP regulations and enhance IP assets.AcquisitionsIdentify potential acquisition targets in the AI space.Conduct due diligence and evaluate the strategic fit of acquisition targets, in conjunction with existing Bright M&A processes.Lead integration efforts post-acquisition to ensure seamless integration of AI capabilities.Ethics & ComplianceMaintain and build upon Brights existing AI Policy, to keep up with latest ethical guidelines and regulatory changes, including the EU (European Union) AI Act.Keep our necessary inventory, documentation, risk categorisation of systems and classifications (provider; deployer) up to date, in compliance with the Act and to maintain transparency.Ensure AI solutions comply with Brights AI Policy.Promote responsible AI practices across the business.Address any ethical concerns related to AI deployment and usage.Alignment with trustworthy AI principles, including potentially ISO 42001:2023 (Artificial Intelligence Management System AIMS), if not implementation.SkillsBachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering or a related STEM field.Strong knowledge of AI, machine learning, and data science.Proven experience in leading and managing an AI team.Excellent project management skills, with the ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously.Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues effectively.Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner.Knowledge of relevant AI technologies, tools, and platforms (our preference is to leverage Microsoft Azures OpenAI environment).Our Benefits includeCompetitive starting salary25 annual leaveHealth CarePensionHybrid working opportunitiesOn-site parkingFree FoodGreat company social eventsWellness programmesBike to WorkFull-TimeAbility to commute to WarwickAdditional pay:Performance bonusTPBN1_UKTJ