[Hiring] AI Lead (Technical Pre-Sales) @Kainos

Role Description

Kainos is seeking an experienced, technically proficient AI & Data Pre-Sales Lead to help accelerate the growth of our AI business across the UK Public Sector and position Kainos as a leading partner for responsible, practical and transformational AI adoption.

This is a senior client-facing and market-facing role responsible for:

• Identifying, shaping and winning strategic AI-led opportunities.
• Defining compelling solution strategies.
• Leading technical and solution input throughout the sales lifecycle.
• Helping Kainos develop differentiated AI propositions that address real public sector challenges.

The successful candidate will combine strong technical credibility in AI solutions with consulting, commercial, communication and stakeholder engagement skills. They will work closely with various teams to help public sector organisations use AI to improve services, productivity, decision-making and citizen outcomes.

This is an exciting opportunity to help transform UK public services, shape the future of responsible AI adoption across government, and support Kainos' continued growth as one of the UK's leading AI and digital transformation partners.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Technical Pre-Sales Leadership
  • Lead the solution shaping of strategic AI and Data opportunities across the UK Public Sector.
  • Conduct discovery sessions, technical workshops and solution definition activities with clients.
  • Develop AI solution strategies that align client objectives, policy priorities, public outcomes, commercial value and technical feasibility.
  • Own and lead the technical and solution response for strategic bids, frameworks, procurements and competitive opportunities.
  • Lead bid solution reviews, challenge solution assumptions and assure quality, credibility and deliverability throughout the sales lifecycle.
  • Support and lead presentations, demonstrations, proofs of concept, client briefings and market engagement activity that showcase Kainos' AI capability.
• AI & Data Subject Matter Expertise
  • Act as a recognised subject matter expert across AI solutions, Generative AI, Agentic AI, machine learning, data foundations, AI-enabled service transformation and responsible AI adoption.
  • Advise clients on AI adoption, AI strategy, use case prioritisation, data readiness, governance, operating models and implementation roadmaps.
  • Provide expertise across AI solution design, LLM-enabled solutions, agentic workflows, machine learning, data products, evaluation approaches, model integration, responsible AI controls and production adoption patterns.
  • Work with architecture, engineering and delivery teams to ensure proposed AI solutions are achievable, scalable, secure, ethical, measurable and suitable for public sector environments.
  • Stay at the forefront of emerging AI technologies, regulatory developments, public sector policy priorities and industry trends.
• Client Engagement
  • Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across government departments, agencies and public bodies.
  • Facilitate executive and technical workshops.
  • Translate complex AI concepts into clear business value, public outcomes, delivery approaches and procurement-ready solution narratives.
  • Support clients in understanding the opportunities, benefits, risks, delivery considerations and governance requirements associated with AI adoption.
  • Act as a strategic advisor throughout opportunity development, from early market engagement and qualification through to bid response and transition into delivery.
• Proposition Development
  • Develop and enhance Kainos' AI and Data offerings for Public Sector, ensuring they are differentiated, credible, repeatable and aligned to client demand.
  • Create reusable assets, accelerators and solution patterns.
  • Support the development of go-to-market propositions, thought leadership and client-facing narratives that position Kainos as an AI leader in Public Sector.
  • Work with sales, industry, partner and delivery teams to identify, shape and progress future AI-led growth opportunities.
  • Contribute to Kainos' wider AI strategy, market positioning, partner engagement and public sector growth agenda.
• Community Leadership
  • Work closely with Kainos' wider AI and Data capability.
  • Bring together subject matter experts from across the business to support opportunities and bids.
  • Mentor colleagues and contribute to capability development.
  • Promote best practice across AI, Data and Solution Architecture communities.

Qualifications

• Significant experience working in a senior client-facing AI, Data, digital transformation or technology consulting role.
• Strong technical expertise in AI solutions, including the ability to understand, shape and explain how AI can be applied safely and effectively in complex organisational environments.
• Demonstrable experience shaping complex AI-led technology opportunities and leading solution-focused pre-sales engagements.
• Experience shaping and assuring AI solutions from concept through to delivery, including data, integration, governance, evaluation, adoption and operating model considerations.
• Experience leading and owning technical and solution responses to bids, ITTs, RFPs and public sector procurements.
• Ability to engage credibly with senior technical, commercial and policy stakeholders, including executives, digital leaders, data leaders and AI specialists.
• Strong understanding of modern AI architectures, LLM-enabled solutions, agentic workflows, machine learning approaches, data foundations, responsible AI practices and production adoption patterns.
• Ability to translate public sector challenges and business requirements into practical AI solutions, delivery approaches and compelling bid narratives.
• Excellent communication, workshop facilitation, stakeholder management, market engagement and proposition development skills.

Requirements

• An industry-recognised practitioner who can help position Kainos as a trusted AI and digital transformation leader for government.
• Technically credible in AI solutions, able to engage confidently with AI specialists, data scientists, architects, engineers, CTOs and senior public sector leaders.
• Commercially astute and growth-oriented, able to shape strategic opportunities while maintaining technical integrity and trusted advisor credibility.
• Passionate about the practical, responsible and high-impact application of AI within the UK Public Sector.
• Equally comfortable discussing AI strategy, public service transformation and value creation with executives, and AI solution design with technical teams.

Company Description

At Kainos, we believe in the power of diversity, equity and inclusion. We are committed to building a team that is as diverse as the world we live in, where everyone is valued, respected, and given an equal chance to thrive.

We actively seek out talented people from all backgrounds, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other characteristic that makes them who they are.

We also believe every candidate deserves a level playing field.

Our friendly talent acquisition team is here to support you every step of the way, so if you require any accommodations or adjustments, we encourage you to reach out.

We understand that everyone's journey is different, and by having a private conversation we can ensure that our recruitment process is tailored to your needs.