Head of AI and Data Science

Head of AI and Data Science

About the Role

In this role, you will define and lead AI and data science strategy across machine learning, NLP, search, and generative AI to deliver impactful, scalable solutions. You will guide teams through the full lifecycle of AI systems, from experimentation to production, while aligning work to product goals and customer needs. You will also influence senior stakeholders, shape roadmaps, and drive measurable outcomes across the organisation.

Responsibilities

• Set AI and data science strategy across ML, NLP, search, recommendation, experimentation, and generative AI, aligning work to product goals, customer needs, and business priorities.
• Lead and develop high-performing teams by coaching talent, setting priorities, fostering scientific rigor, and building an inclusive, collaborative culture.
• Deliver advanced AI and knowledge-discovery systems across the full lifecycle, from experimentation through production, including LLMs, RAG, search, and domain-enriched AI solutions.
• Drive evaluation and AI quality by establishing robust frameworks, metrics, experimentation practices, and responsible AI standards.
• Influence across product, technology, and business by partnering with cross-functional leaders, shaping roadmaps, translating technical insights, and aligning teams on customer and business impact.

Requirements

• Significant experience in data science, AI/ML, NLP, information retrieval, statistics, or a related quantitative field, or equivalent practical experience.

• Strong technical expertise across modern data science methods, including machine learning, experimentation, deep learning, generative AI, and production AI systems.

• Hands-on experience delivering AI-powered products, including LLMs, RAG, semantic search, embeddings, agentic workflows, and knowledge-driven systems.

• Proven success leading and developing technical teams in complex product, platform, or research environments.

• Experience working with large, complex datasets and building scalable, maintainable, production-ready AI/ML systems.

• Strong people leadership, prioritization, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to turn ambiguity into clear strategy and measurable outcomes.

• Work in a Way That Works for You

• We promote a healthy work/life balance across the organisation. We offer an appealing working prospect for our people. With numerous wellbeing initiatives, shared parental leave, study assistance, and sabbaticals, we will help you meet your immediate responsibilities and your long-term goals.

• Working Pattern

• Working flexible hours - flexing the times when you work in the day to help you fit everything in and work when you are the most productive

• About the Business

• A global leader in information and analytics, we help researchers and healthcare professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society. Building on our publishing heritage, we combine quality information and vast data sets with analytics to support visionary science and research, health education and interactive learning, as well as exceptional healthcare and clinical practice. At Elsevier, your work contributes to the world's grand challenges and a more sustainable future. We harness innovative technologies to support science and healthcare to partner for a better world.

• Together, we create possibilities. Join us.

USA Job Seekers:

• EEO Know Your Rights.