Principal Data & AI Consultant

Location: UK (Hybrid)
Employment Type: Permanent

About Mastek

Mastek is a global technology and business transformation partner, helping organisations accelerate innovation through cloud, data, digital, and AI solutions. We work across highly regulated sectors including Government, Healthcare, and Financial Services, delivering outcomes that are scalable, secure, and impactful.

Our Data & AI practice helps clients turn emerging technologies into practical business value through a combination of strategic advisory, governance, architecture, and delivery expertise.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Principal Data & AI Consultant to join our growing Data & AI practice. This is a senior advisory role focused on helping clients operating within highly regulated environments shape, govern, and deliver Data & AI initiatives that are practical, compliant, and outcome-focused.

As a Principal Data & AI Consultant, you will act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, leading discussions from strategy and investment planning through to delivery oversight. You will combine consulting excellence, commercial acumen, solution thinking, and stakeholder engagement to help organisations confidently adopt AI and data-driven capabilities.

This role is ideal for someone who can influence at executive level, navigate complexity, and translate AI ambitions into governed and measurable business outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Data & AI Strategy & Advisory

• Lead Data & AI strategy engagements, roadmaps, operating models, and investment cases for regulated clients.
• Shape AI adoption strategies aligned to organisational objectives, governance requirements, and business outcomes.
• Translate complex business challenges into clear recommendations for executive stakeholders.
• Help clients prioritise investments and realise measurable value from Data & AI initiatives.

Stakeholder Management & Client Advisory

• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders across business, technology, risk, compliance, and operations.
• Facilitate executive workshops, strategic planning sessions, and decision forums.
• Communicate complex Data & AI concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Build long-term client relationships based on trust, credibility, and delivery confidence.

Consulting & Delivery Leadership

• Lead consulting engagements with strong governance, stakeholder management, and delivery oversight.
• Ensure client engagements are evidence-led, auditable, and outcome-focused.
• Work closely with architects, engineers, and delivery teams to align strategy with execution.
• Establish governance, assurance, and decision-making frameworks throughout programme delivery.

AI Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Advise clients on responsible AI adoption and regulatory compliance.
• Support risk, security, compliance, and legal stakeholders in managing AI-related considerations.
• Help organisations navigate emerging AI regulations and governance expectations.
• Balance innovation with robust risk management and operational controls.

Business Development & Pre-Sales

• Build and manage a qualified advisory pipeline from opportunity identification through to closure.
• Lead early-stage client discussions, workshops, and discovery engagements.
• Support bids, proposals, RFP responses, and commercial pursuits.
• Partner with sector leadership and sales teams to grow Data & AI consulting services across the UK and Europe.

Capability Development & Thought Leadership

• Contribute to consulting frameworks, accelerators, methodologies, and repeatable offerings.
• Mentor consultants and support the growth of a high-performing Data & AI practice.
• Produce thought leadership including whitepapers, presentations, blogs, and market insights.
• Represent the organisation at client forums, workshops, and industry events.

Essential Skills & Experience

• 15+ years' experience in consulting, advisory, transformation, or senior leadership roles across Data, Analytics, AI, or Digital.
• Proven experience working with regulated-sector clients, including Government, Healthcare, or Financial Services.
• Strong track record delivering Data & AI strategies, roadmaps, business cases, and transformation programmes.
• Excellent executive stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience operating across strategy, pre-sales, advisory, and delivery oversight functions.
• Strong understanding of AI governance, risk management, compliance, and assurance frameworks.
• Commercially minded with experience contributing to pipeline development, revenue growth, and account expansion.
• Ability to influence decision-making and lead through ambiguity.

Desirable Skills

• Experience advising on Responsible AI and AI governance frameworks.
• Knowledge of emerging AI regulations and industry standards.
• Experience developing consulting propositions, accelerators, or managed advisory services.
• Existing network and experience within UK Public Sector, Healthcare, or Financial Services markets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Data Science, Information Systems, Business, or a related discipline.
• Relevant certifications in Data, AI, Cloud Technologies, Enterprise Architecture, Programme Delivery, or Consulting disciplines are advantageous.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to shape and lead strategic Data & AI initiatives for major organisations.
• Exposure to complex and high-profile transformation programmes.
• Career progression within a growing Data & AI consulting practice.
• Access to industry-leading training, certifications, and professional development.
• Collaborative and inclusive working environment.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives and believe that diverse teams drive better outcomes for our clients, colleagues, and communities.

If you are passionate about helping organisations transform through Data & AI while navigating the challenges of regulated environments, we'd love to hear from you.