Our client is looking for a contract resources to take on the role AI/ML Lead for a dynamic, rapidly growing AI Lab. The AI/ML Lead is an exciting role within the Lab - researching, designing and building the core machine learning algorithms at the heart of our AI Innovation products. This will be a 12-month contract to start.

• Interact with relevant teams to identify business challenges where AI and machine learning can help, and define the short-term to long-term AI/ML roadmap aligned with business goals.
• Apply comprehensive Machine Learning and AI knowledge to propose optimal solutions to key challenges
• Create detailed proposals and project plans, flagging any limitations of proposed solution
• Research newly emerging cutting-edge AI and ML technologies, agentic AI frameworks and best practices, identifying potential applications to consumer goods
• Design and prototype experimental solutions, particularly machine learning models and agentic AI agents; define success metrics beyond traditional model accuracy
• Deliver through squads that blend internal resources with academic researchers and niche AI vendors
• Represent Machine Learning and Agentic AI in cross-functional governance of projects, engaging with leadership stakeholders in AI Lab, external partners and Unilever business groups.
• Work with relevant teams to establish Agentic AI governance frameworks, especially around autonomy, fallback mechanisms, and human-in-the-loop control
• Influence company AI strategy by advising senior leaders on the opportunities and risks related to autonomous AI systems and their implications on workforce, compliance, and customer trust.
• Attract top AI/ML talent and build a strong, diverse team culture. Lead and grow a team of LLM Engineers, Data Scientists, and Research Scientists, providing technical guidance and career mentorship
• Support the growth of the AI Lab by contributing to activities such as tool and partner selection, best practice definition, recruitment, and creation of training materials
• Build the reputation of the AI Lab within Unilever and externally, through activities such as presenting up to exec level, community engagement (e.g. Yammer), publications, blogs, speaking at conferences and participating in industry steering groups.

Relevant Experience:

• Minimum of B.S. in a relevant technical field (e.g. Computer Science, AI, Statistics, Engineering); preferably a postgraduate (Masters or Doctorate) degree
• 10 years experience building AI and data science solutions to solve business problems, or 7-8 years for those with a PhD)
• Experience managing the work of team members.
• Experience working with academic collaborators or 3rd party resource vendors is a bonus
• Experience presenting insights and influencing decisions of senior non-technical stakeholders
• Experience in Consumer Goods industry is a bonus
• AI / Data Science techniques such as Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Reinforcement Learning, Large Language Models, Graph Databases, Advanced Optimization Expert
• ML applications including Forecasting, NLP & Computer Vision Expert
• Coding – preferably in Python Fully Operational
• Development in cloud based Data science platform e.g. MS Azure Databricks, Apache Spark Fully Operational