Head of Agentic AI and Data Science Research

Overview

Shape the FCA’s frontier AI and data science agenda to strengthen regulatory intelligence, combat financial crime, and support smarter decision-making. You will lead governance, ethics, and capability building, translating cutting-edge AI into practical, risk-aware outcomes. As a senior technical adviser, you’ll align research with the FCA’s public-interest mission and interact with executives and the board. This role combines scientific leadership with regulatory impact and external thought leadership to set the pace for responsible AI in financial services.

Responsibilities

• Define strategic direction for agentic AI, ML, data science and analytics to enhance regulation and market intelligence
• Establish AI governance, model assurance, and research ethics frameworks to ensure transparent and proportionate use of AI
• Build a leading AI intelligence capability to identify emerging opportunities, risks, and practical policy insights
• Develop medium- and long-term roadmaps translating research into capability, operating model, and technology investment
• Act as a trusted adviser to executive and board stakeholders, translating complex tech into actionable decisions
• Lead and grow the FCA Data Science profession, setting high standards and attracting/tailing talent
• Represent the FCA in external regulatory, technology and stakeholder communities on responsible AI and innovation
• Foster an inclusive, high-performing function combining scientific curiosity with operational discipline
• Lead through others to maintain an organisation-wide commitment to public-interest and ethical AI

Key requirements

• Significant experience managing and influencing senior stakeholders
• Experience leading specialist technical/analytical/AI/data science teams in a complex organisation
• Strong understanding of AI/ML/data science and related opportunities, limitations and risks
• Experience developing governance frameworks, operating models or strategic roadmaps for safe and ethical AI
• Proven ability to translate complex tech into practical priorities and investment decisions
• Experience shaping strategic, tactical and ethical AI approaches to organisational objectives
• Proven horizon-scanning ability to convert emerging tech into actionable strategies
• Experience establishing AI governance, model assurance or responsible AI frameworks
• Ability to advise at senior executive/board level
• Exemplary communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills
• Leadership with inclusive, diverse teams and values alignment
• Open and flexible management style with clear communication across varied audiences

• leadership
• stakeholder management
• communication
• AI governance
• model assurance
• research ethics frameworks

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