Founding AI Lead

Founding Head of AI | Venture Capital | Life SciencesLondon | £130,000–£200,000 Base + Bonus | Permanent | 5 Days OnsiteA rare opportunity to build and own an AI function from the ground up.JUNA is partnering with a highly successful European investment firm operating at the intersection of private capital and life sciences to appoint its first dedicated AI leader.This is a genuinely greenfield opportunity to define, build and embed AI across an established investment business, working directly with senior partners in a small, exceptionally high-calibre environment.No inherited roadmap. No large technology department. Genuine ownership of the strategy, technology and outcomes.We're looking for someone who combines deep technical capability with commercial judgement and the confidence to influence senior investment professionals.The opportunityYou'll take ownership of the firm's AI agenda, identifying where technology can deliver meaningful improvements and personally driving solutions from concept through to implementation.Your remit will span three core areas:1. Investment Intelligence & Decision-MakingDevelop AI solutions to improve investment sourcing, research, due diligence and portfolio analysis.Unlock the value of proprietary investment data, historical decisions and institutional knowledge.Build intelligent tools that help investment professionals make better, faster and more informed decisions.Work directly with investment partners to identify and prioritise high-impact opportunities.2. AI Engineering & Enterprise TransformationEstablish the firm's AI architecture, data foundations, security and governance.Design, build and deploy LLM applications, AI agents, intelligent workflows and automation.Transform internal knowledge management, reporting and operational processes.Integrate AI into existing systems and workflows, ensuring solutions are practical, secure and widely adopted.Own the AI roadmap from initial discovery through to production deployment and measurable business outcomes.3. Life Sciences InnovationExplore opportunities to apply AI across complex scientific and operational challenges.Identify applications that could improve clinical development, trial execution and patient recruitment.Work alongside highly experienced scientific and investment professionals to assess emerging opportunities.Focus on practical, measurable improvements rather than technology for its own sake.Who we're looking forProfessional experience in Venture Capital, Private Equity, Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology or Life Sciences is essential.We're particularly interested in individuals who have built or deployed AI capabilities within these environments, or delivered significant AI transformation programmes for clients operating in these sectors.Alongside this experience, you'll bring:Hands-on AI expertise: A proven track record of designing, building and deploying AI solutions into real business environments.Strong technical foundations: Experience across applied AI, LLMs, data architecture, integrations, automation and enterprise systems.Commercial judgement: The ability to identify opportunities where AI can genuinely improve business performance and decision-making.Senior stakeholder credibility: Confidence working directly with highly analytical, commercially sophisticated leaders.Ownership and autonomy: Comfortable defining the problems, developing the roadmap and delivering solutions without an established AI team.Exceptional integrity: Sound judgement, discretion and the ability to handle highly confidential information.Low ego, high ambition: Equally comfortable discussing strategy with senior partners and getting hands-on with implementation.Relevant backgrounds could include:Head of AI, Director of AI, AI Engineering Lead, Principal AI Engineer, Applied AI Lead, AI Solutions Architect, Forward Deployed Engineer or Technical AI Transformation Lead.You don't need to have held the title Head of AI. You do need to have delivered meaningful AI solutions within one of the relevant sectors.Why this opportunity is differentBuild something from scratch. This is the organisation's first dedicated AI appointment, offering genuine freedom to shape its technology direction.Direct access to decision-makers. Work closely with senior investment partners in a flat, entrepreneurial environment without layers of corporate bureaucracy.Strategy meets execution. You'll have the autonomy to identify opportunities and the responsibility to turn them into working solutions.An exceptional intellectual environment. Join a small team of highly accomplished investment and scientific professionals who value curiosity, initiative and independent thinking.Meaningful long-term impact. Beyond investment operations, there's an opportunity to explore how AI can improve the development of medicines and ultimately contribute to better patient outcomes.A genuine long-term opportunity. Become a central part of an established, successful organisation with a close-knit, high-trust culture.Location & Remuneration

Location: Central London, five days per week in the office.

This is a fully onsite position.Base salary: £130,000–£200,000 depending on experience, with flexibility to go higher for an outstanding candidate.Employment: Permanent, full-time.Interested?If you've built AI solutions within VC, PE, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology or life sciences, and want the opportunity to own an AI capability rather than simply contribute to one, we'd love to hear from you.Apply directly or contact JUNA Partners for a confidential conversation.This is a confidential search. Further details about the organisation will be shared with suitably qualified candidates.