Head of Data & AI

Head of Data & AI

Mattioli Woods Group | Full time | Hybrid

Mattioli Woods is looking for an exceptional data leader to define and deliver the Group's Data & AI agenda at a pivotal moment in our growth. This is a senior, strategic appointment — a genuine opportunity to shape how a £multi-billion wealth management group harnesses data, automation and artificial intelligence to serve clients and advisers more effectively.

You will join an organisation that is serious about transformation, with the sponsorship of the CIO and Executive Committee and the scope to build something that matters. If you are ready to move beyond the theoretical and drive measurable outcomes in a regulated, client-first environment, we would welcome a conversation.

What you'll be doing

Define and deliver the Group Data & AI strategy and roadmap, moving rapidly from use cases and prototypes into measurable production outcomes

Establish the foundations for data architecture, ownership, governance, quality and controls across a business that continues to grow through acquisition

Map critical operational and adviser workflows, identifying and delivering opportunities for automation and AI-enabled productivity improvement

Establish appropriate governance and controls for the responsible use of AI in an FCA-regulated environment, working alongside Enterprise Architecture and Information Security

Build analytics and insight capabilities that enable better decisions for the business, advisers and clients

Lead, build and develop a high-quality Data & AI team, supplementing internal capability with specialist partners where appropriate, and communicate investment cases and outcomes clearly to ExCo

What we're looking for

A proven track record of building data and AI capabilities and translating them into measurable change in how a business operates

Strong understanding of modern data platforms, governance, analytics and AI — grounded in business outcomes rather than technology for its own sake

The ability to engage operational teams to understand complex workflows, collaborate with technical specialists on solutions, and present clearly to senior stakeholders

Experience delivering data and AI transformation within financial services or another regulated environment; wealth management experience is useful but not essential

Credibility establishing data architecture, governance frameworks, and quality controls at Group level

A genuine delivery mindset — comfortable moving at pace from prototypes into production, and enthused by building capability rather than managing a large established function

Why join us

This is a rare opportunity to take genuine ownership of a Group-level data and AI agenda — not inheriting a mature function, but building one that will shape how Mattioli Woods operates for years to come. You will have direct access to the CIO and ExCo, meaningful resources, and the autonomy to make consequential decisions.

Mattioli Woods has grown significantly through acquisition and continues to do so. That creates a genuinely interesting data challenge: bringing coherence, insight and intelligence to a complex, expanding group while maintaining the client-first ethos at the heart of what we do. You will not be constrained to a narrow remit — this role evolves as the business does, and there is real scope to grow your own impact and the capability around you.

Perks and benefits

💰 competitive salary

⏰ full-time hybrid working

💖 4x salary life assurance and group income protection

🏥 health cash plan (Core Level 1)

🎉 25 days' holiday plus statutory (increasing with service)

🌱 ongoing CPD support and training

🤝 a senior technology leadership environment with direct access to the CIO and ExCo

🏥 Benenden Healthcare (company-funded; includes 24/7 GP access, mental health support, medical diagnostics, and access to selected surgical treatments)

💼 5% Employer and 5% Employee minimum Group Pension contribution (if you choose to contribute 6%, we will match this)