Head of Data & AI

Company Description

ABOUT LGC:

LGC is a leading, global life science tools company, providing mission-critical components and solutions into high-growth application areas across the human healthcare and applied market segments. Its high-quality product portfolio is comprised of mission-critical tools for genomic analysis and for quality assurance applications, which are typically embedded and recurring within our customers’ products and workflows and are valued for their performance, quality, and range. 

Job Description

The Head of Data & AI is a senior leadership position reporting directly to the Chief Digital and Information Officer (CDIO). This role is crucial for spearheading our data and AI initiatives, driving innovation, and ensuring these technologies deliver measurable value to the business.

The successful candidate, from a data perspective will drive remediation of our critical data covering both commercial and scientific assets, lead the implementation of a data governance framework, and evolve the current data culture across LGC. They will  also need to ensure the continued development of our underlying data infrastructure that is supporting a voracious demand for analytics, integrations and automations.

In the area of AI,  the role will oversee delivery of AI projects, ensuring a focus on initiatives that support LGCs strategic objectives. Other key responsibilities include supporting the development of foundational AI capabilities in terms of skills, governance processes and third party relationships.

The role will work closely with other functions in IT and with partners in Legal, HR and Compliance to ensure that while LGC realises the benefits of AI adoption, we do so in a secure, ethical and regulatory compliant manner.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy And Implementation

• Drive remediation and enrichment of critical data assets that cover our commercial, financial, and scientific domains
• Ensure a scalable and robust infrastructure and architecture to support LGC's AI, analytics, and data ambitions
• Identify and prioritise data provisioning and AI use cases that can deliver significant business value
• Drive the design and implementation of solutions in artificial intelligence and data engineering across LGC

Governance And Standards

• Refine and implement a data governance framework across the organisation
• Establish and supervise data quality standards, data integrity, and reliability
• Chairs the LGC AI Governance board that coordinates our AI agenda, standards, and controls
• Ensure all AI and data initiatives align with relevant regulations and ethical standards

Data-Driven Value Creation

• Find opportunities to use data assets for business growth and operational efficiency
• Embed data-driven insights into decision-making processes throughout the organisation

Leadership

• Lead a group of data and AI professionals, including scientists, engineers, analysts, and architects
• Supervise the allocation of resources, prioritization, and budgeting for AI and data projects
• Support continued development of foundational AI capabilities related to skills, processes, and governance
• Effectively engage with senior leadership, including the executive suite
• Build partnerships with external vendors, academic institutions, and industry partners

Qualifications

• Ideally Master's degree or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field
• 7+ years of experience in data science, machine learning, or AI, with at least 5 years in a leadership role
• Consistent track record of efficiently implementing large-scale data improvement programmes
• Solid understanding of data governance principles, data privacy regulations, and industry standards
• Superb communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence C-level executives
• Expertise in machine learning algorithms, statistical analysis, and data modelling techniques
• Familiarity with cloud-based AI and data platforms (preferably AWS or Azure)
• Proven project management skills and experience leading multi-functional and matrix teams
• Demonstrated ability to translate sophisticated technical concepts into business value
• Experience in change management and driving organisational transformation
• Strong ethical judgement and dedication to responsible AI practice

Person Specification

• Location: Located in the UK with flexible working options. Ideally, can travel to an LGC site occasionally for meetings, workshops, engaging with interested parties, etc.
• Capability to collaborate with senior managers (including executive-level leadership) throughout the organisation
• Proactive and adaptable: Can thrive in a multifaceted, fast-paced environment
• Ability to quickly assimilate knowledge from outside own area of expertise
• Strong leadership skills, capable of motivating teams and working optimally in a matrix organisation

Additional Information

Our Values

PASSION

CURIOSITY

INTEGRITY

BRILLIANCE

RESPECT

Equal Opportunities

LGC strongly believes that every job applicant and employee should be valued for their individual talents regardless of age, disability, race, color, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion, or belief. Short listing, interviewing and selection will always be carried out without regard to gender, sexual orientation, marital status, color, race, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, age, or trade union membership.

For more information about LGC, please visit our website www.lgcgroup.com

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