Lead AI Consultant

We are creating a new team within Newton: the AI Hub. The AI Hub is focused on bringing proven AI and data science to solve real-world problems and deliver value to our clients across various sectors and challenges. It's about applying AI to problems and unlocking value where traditional methods fall short. It's about identifying new opportunities to deliver value for our clients by leveraging data, insights, and automation. It's about setting Newton up to take advantage of AI now and into the future.

As part of the AI Hub, you will work closely with other AI experts, software engineers, consultants, and clients to design, develop, and deliver practical solutions that make a difference. You will have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, such as optimising operations, enhancing customer experience and predicting outcomes. You will also have the chance to learn from and collaborate with some of the best minds in the consulting industry, and grow your skills and expertise in a supportive and dynamic environment.

As a Lead AI consultant, you will understand how AI can be used to help solve our clients biggest problems and how it can deliver measurable impact. You will be part of a multi-skilled project team that brings together all the capabilities of Newton. This team will be responsible for delivering sustainable outcomes for our clients and we don’t leave until they are delivered.

You will bring positive energy to your work and you will want to excel in your field. You will know how AI can be part of a complete solution that involves changes to process, people and technology. You will communicate in a simple and engaging way, ensuring clear and transparent updates with clients and colleagues. You will have a good understanding of programme requirements and a willingness to ask for help and feedback. You will deliver consistently in a prompt and convincing manner.  You will create a supportive and collaborative atmosphere with our clients and colleagues. Your deep knowledge of our client needs, and wider market trends means you will be skilled at designing solutions that effectively address their challenges.

Your role will be to:

• Understand our clients’ biggest challenges and clearly explain how AI can help solve these challenges and help build a programme of work to deliver
• Identify and manage the risks and ethical implications of using AI in different domains and contexts
• Provide guidance and mentorship to the project team and ensure that the best practices and standards of AI development are followed
• Help manage the project scope, schedule, budget and deliverables to ensure that outcomes are delivered on time and within agreed parameters
• Communicate effectively with the client and other stakeholders to report the project progress, issues and risks and propose mitigation strategies
• Identify and validate the appropriate data science techniques to apply based on the problem space and the availability and quality of the data
• Ensure alignment and integration of the AI solutions with the wider change programme and the client's existing systems, processes and data sources

You’ll be a high calibre individual, with exceptional levels of personal drive and eagerness for personal development. An analytical mind coupled with strong communication skills and a positive attitude are essential to fit into the Newton culture.

We will be looking for a range of experience and technical abilities in our preferred candidates which includes:

• Experience in leading and managing AI and/or data science projects
• Experience in a client-facing role within a consulting organisation
• Ability to communicate effectively with senior stakeholders and clients, and translate complex technical concepts into business value and actionable insights
• Proficiency in programming languages and tools for data analysis, such as Python, R, SQL, Spark, TensorFlow, PyTorch, etc.
• Experience in working with large and complex datasets, both structured and unstructured, and applying advanced techniques such as deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, or reinforcement learning. Expert knowledge of regression, classification and other machine learning techniques.
• A passion for innovation and continuous learning, and a willingness to share knowledge and mentor others
• A proven track record of delivering high-quality and impactful data-driven solutions to real-world problems
• A working knowledge of the state-of-the-art methods and best practices in data science, such as data preprocessing, feature engineering, model selection, validation, evaluation, and deployment
• Ability to incorporate approaches from published academic papers into solutions/options

We will also be looking for a behavioural skillset that includes:

• A positive energy that inspires and motivates others, and a willingness to take on new challenges and learn from feedback
• A holistic perspective that can understand both the big picture and the detail of a problem, and can apply data science methods accordingly
• A compelling communication style that can tell a clear and impactful story using data, and can tailor the message to different audiences and contexts
• A high performer that delivers high-quality and timely results, and can balance multiple projects and priorities effectively
• A collaborative team player that can work well with others across disciplines and levels, and can mentor and develop junior data scientists

Newton maximises the potential of our people, whether in client-based consulting roles, or in head office functions. The prospects for career and personal development in this role are no exception. Our business continues to grow, through our historically effective organic recruitment model and in addition our recent acquisitions and commitment to international expansion. This business growth, alongside our continual striving to add more value from every function of the business creates significant opportunities for those with the right capabilities and attitudes.

Supporting you starts from day one. New joiners often highlight the Newton energy and support they first encounter in the recruitment process and that continues through into their time at Newton. Once in role, you’ll get support from several sources – from stretching projects, on-the-job feedback and developmental guidance from senior directors and partners. You’ll have a dedicated and consistent Development Manager to support your career progression. You’ll receive regular appraisals and annual pay reviews.

We offer a highly competitive salary (£90,000 - £105,000) and our generous benefits package includes Life Assurance, Income Protection, pension contributions and 28 days holiday (not including bank holidays). We also operate profit share and equity schemes so that our people share in the success of the business. The profit share bonus is based on company performance and typically paid out in March and September.

Joining us also brings many social benefits. We have a full social calendar with Spring activity days, Christmas events, a 2-day Summer event and 4 Newton-sponsored weekends a year.