Head of Agentic AI and Data Science Research

Head of Agentic AI and Data Science Research - FCA - Hybrid - London, Leeds or Edinburgh

Salary - London - £129,400 - £194,100 and National - £117,700 - £176,500

Are you ready to shape how one of the world’s leading financial regulators understands, governs and applies frontier AI?

The Financial Conduct Authority is looking for a Head of Agentic AI and Data Science Research to lead the organisation’s capability at the frontier of applied AI, advanced analytics and emerging technologies.

This is an opportunity to determine how the FCA safely turns fast-moving developments in agentic AI, multi-agent systems and data science into better regulatory intelligence, more effective action against financial crime, and smarter decisions across the organisation.

Reporting to the Director of Intelligence & Digital, you will lead the research and design engine behind the FCA’s medium and long-term AI agenda. You will connect technical possibility with public purpose: establishing the governance, research ethics, roadmaps and professional capability that allow the FCA to innovate with confidence, while remaining safe, ethical and proportionate.

What you will drive:

• The FCA’s frontier AI agenda: Set the strategic direction for agentic AI, machine learning, data science and advanced analytics, identifying where these capabilities can improve regulation, market intelligence, organisational effectiveness and the fight against financial crime.
• Safe and responsible AI: Establish and evolve the FCA’s AI governance, model assurance and research ethics frameworks, creating the standards and controls needed to use AI in a way that is transparent, robust and proportionate to risk.
• Horizon scanning and strategic insight: Build a leading AI intelligence capability that identifies emerging opportunities, technical shifts and new risks, translating them into practical recommendations, policy insight, investment priorities and organisational action.
• A future-facing roadmap: Develop the medium- and long-term roadmap for AI and data science, converting research and experimentation into a clear plan for capability, operating model and technology investment.
• Technical authority at the highest level: Act as a trusted senior adviser to executive and board-level stakeholders, making complex technical developments understandable and actionable for decision-makers.
• The FCA Data Science Profession: Lead and grow the profession, setting high standards for practice, building organisational readiness and helping attract, develop and retain exceptional technical talent.
• External thought leadership: Represent the FCA across regulatory, technology and stakeholder communities, helping shape the conversation around responsible AI, innovation and regulation.
• An inclusive, high-performing function: Lead through others, creating a department that combines scientific curiosity, technical excellence, operational discipline and a commitment to the FCA’s public-interest mission.

We are looking for someone with:

• 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
• Strong understanding of AI, machine learning, data science, and advanced analytics, including associated opportunities, limitations and risks
• Experience of developing governance frameworks, standards, operating models or strategic roadmaps supporting the safe, ethical, and proportionate use of AI or advanced analytics
• Proven ability to translate complex technological developments into practical organisational outcomes, priorities, and investment decisions
• 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
• Experience establishing AI governance, model assurance, research ethics or responsible AI frameworks.
• Ability to operate credibly as a senior technical adviser to executive and board-level stakeholders.
• Exemplary communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skill
• Experience of role modelling strong leadership behaviours in line with organisational values
• The ability to inclusively lead a group of talented individuals with a wide variety of professional expertise, experience, and backgrounds
• An open and flexible management style and the ability to communicate effectively to a wide-ranging audience with different skills and perspectives

The FCA is becoming a more proactive, data-driven and technology-enabled regulator. This role offers a rare opportunity to help define the future of AI in financial services regulation: not only exploring what is possible, but setting the conditions for it to be done responsibly and at meaningful scale.

If you want to shape the AI agenda of an organisation whose decisions affect consumers, firms and the wider UK economy, this is your stage.

If you are interested in this vacancy, please follow the Easy Apply process to register your interest and join the distribution list for the dedicated microsite. For further information, please contact Mercedes Lane or Daniel White on 020 8253 1806, or via email at FCA-Agentic@global-resourcing.com

Closing date: Monday 13th October 23:55