Head of Agentic AI & Data Science Research

• The Head of Agentic AI and Data Science Research leads the FCA’s capability at the frontier of applied AI, ensuring the organisation not only adopts emerging technologies but understands, shapes and governs them in a way that supports its public interest objectives
• Reporting to the Director of Intelligence & Digital, this role is the research and design engine for AI. It provides strategic leadership for AI research, model governance, data science capability, and horizon scanning
• It is responsible for identifying how emerging AI technologies can be applied safely, ethically and proportionately to support better regulation, enhance regulatory intelligence, combat financial crime and improve organisational effectiveness
• The role owns the FCA’s medium and longer-term AI agenda, translating emerging opportunities and risks into actionable strategies, governance frameworks and capability roadmaps. It also leads the FCA Data Science Profession and provides technical thought leadership to senior decision-makers across the organisation and wider regulatory, and technology stakeholder communities
• Working closely with AI Product Delivery and AI Security & Technology Operations, the role ensures clear accountability across strategy, research, governance, delivery and operations, without duplication of responsibility
• Joining the Senior Leadership Team at the FCA during an exciting and challenging time of great change in financial services and its regulation
• Leading a department of talented and committed people through significant projects whilst also delivering on business-as-usual objectives
• Exposure to strategic issues and key players in the world of finance, both nationally and internationally
• Lead the FCA’s Agentic AI and Data Science Research function, setting the strategic direction for AI research, advanced analytics and emerging technologies
• Define and shape the FCA’s medium and long-term approach to AI and Data Science, ensuring emerging technologies support smarter regulation, regulatory intelligence, financial crime reduction and organisational effectiveness
• Establish and maintain the FCA’s AI governance and research ethics framework, providing the standards, controls and technical authority required for the safe, ethical and proportionate use of AI and advanced analytics
• Develop and maintain the FCA’s medium and long-term AI and Data Science roadmap, translating research, horizon scanning, and emerging technologies into future organisational capability and priorities
• Lead the FCA’s horizon scanning and AI intelligence capability, identifying emerging opportunities and risks, and translating them into strategic recommendations, policy insight and investment priorities
• Lead the FCA’s Data Science Profession; provide specialist AI and Data Science expertise, building professional standards, organisational readiness, and thought leadership while representing the FCA across regulatory, technology, and stakeholder communities
• Developing and delivering a long-term strategy for the department, aligning to broader divisional and organisational strategies
• Leading on performance, capability and culture within the department, with a strong focus on operational excellence
• Delivering through others by relying on coaching, influencing and negotiating skills with a range of internal and external stakeholders
• Building a strong and inclusive directorate that attracts and develop diverse talent

Benefits

• Hybrid working (work from home up to 60% of your time)
• 25 days holiday per year plus bank holidays
• Private healthcare with Bupa
• Life assurance
• A non-contributory Pension of at least 8%
• Income protection

• Experience of developing governance frameworks, standards, operating models or strategic roadmaps supporting the safe, ethical, and proportionate use of AI or advanced analytics
• Significant experience of managing and influencing senior stakeholders internally and externally
• Experience leading specialist technical, analytical, AI, data science or comparable multidisciplinary teams within a complex organisation
• Proven ability to translate complex technological developments into practical organisational outcomes, priorities, and investment decisions
• Strong understanding of AI, machine learning, data science, and advanced analytics, including associated opportunities, limitations and risks
• Experience establishing AI governance, model assurance, research ethics or responsible AI frameworks
• An open and flexible management style and the ability to communicate effectively to a wide-ranging audience with different skills and perspectives
• The ability to inclusively lead a group of talented individuals with a wide variety of professional expertise, experience, and backgrounds
• Experience of role modelling strong leadership behaviours in line with organisational values
• Exemplary communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skill
• Experience developing strategic, tactical, and ethical approaches for deploying AI and advanced analytics in support of organisational objectives
• Proven horizon-scanning capability and ability to convert emerging technological developments into actionable strategies, and business roadmaps
• Ability to operate credibly as a senior technical adviser to executive and board-level stakeholders
• Advanced understanding of agentic AI, multi-agent systems, and emerging frontier AI technologies
• Experience within financial services, regulation or another highly regulated environment
• Evidence of recognised thought leadership within AI, data science, or advanced analytics
• Experience representing an organisation externally on AI strategy, governance, or innovation topics
• Familiarity with commercially available agentic AI platforms and tooling

• The closing date for this role is 23:55 on Sunday 11th October
• Selection will be via a two-stage interview and psychometric assessment
• If successful, you will be required to obtain and retain SC Clearance