UKI AI Director

Company Description

There's nothing like a career at Entain. We're a leading, global sports betting and gaming company and we're upping the excitement and increasing player safety. We're a FTSE company with iconic brands including Ladbrokes, Coral, BetMGM, Eurobet and bwin, and we have an energy that drives us to perform at the height of our potential. Whether you're an engineer, marketer or retail specialist, a career here is a complete game changer.

Job Description

UKI AI Director

Purpose of role

Entain operates a multi-channel strategy across the UK & Ireland, integrating both digital and retail experiences under a broad and diverse brand portfolio. Commercial is where strategy meets execution – shaping the products, partnerships and propositions that fuel Entain's growth. Our teams here combine creativity, analytics and commercial expertise to deliver value for our customers and the business.

We are seeking a commercially focused and technically accomplished Director of AI to lead the design, implementation, and scaling of enterprise AI, machine learning, and cloud data platforms across the UK and Ireland.

Reporting to the UKI Transformation Director, this role combines strategic leadership with deep hands-on expertise in AI architecture, data engineering, MLOps, and multi-cloud infrastructure.

The successful candidate will drive measurable business impact through the delivery of scalable AI solutions that support AI product innovation, AI transformation, operational efficiency, and revenue growth across UK&I brands and business units.

Key responsibilities

AI Strategy

• Define and execute enterprise AI and data strategies aligned with commercial objectives and long-term business growth.
• Lead the integration of Generative & Agentic AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics into core operational and customer-facing workflows.
• Translate complex technical opportunities into measurable commercial outcomes and scalable business capabilities.

Technology Leadership

• Architect and oversee end-to-end AI and data platforms spanning:
  • Generative & Agentic AI solutions
  • Machine learning pipelines
  • Cloud data warehousing
  • Advanced analytics platforms
  • Enterprise MLOps frameworks
• Influence multi-cloud architecture initiatives across platforms such as:
  • Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
  • Amazon Web Services (AWS)
  • Open-source AI ecosystems
• Establish scalable and flexible technical foundations that balance short-term delivery with long-term strategic value.

Operational & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Lead, partner and mentor cross-functional engineering and data teams including:
  • Data Engineering
  • Data Science - Partner
  • Software Engineering
  • BI & Analytics
  • AI Platform Engineering
• Influence and represent the UK&I into global AI Strategy
• Partner with product, commercial functions, and operational stakeholders to deliver high-impact AI capabilities.

Commercial & Business Impact

• Deliver AI-driven initiatives that improve customer engagement, operational performance, and profitability.
• Support in-market brand operations with scalable AI solutions tailored to regional business needs.
• Drive adoption of AI technologies that create sustainable competitive advantage and support P&L growth.

Stakeholder & Advisory

• Act as a senior advisor to executive leadership on AI transformation and emerging technologies.
• Present technical and strategic recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Represent the organisation externally through thought leadership, public speaking, and industry engagement.

Technical Expertise

• Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
• Generative & Agentic AI
• Cloud Data Platforms
• MLOps & AI Operations
• Data Warehousing & Analytics
• Enterprise Architecture
• AWS
• GCP
• Multi-cloud infrastructure

Qualifications

• Senior AI, data or technology leader with proven experience delivering large-scale AI and data transformation programmes.

• Strong hands-on technical understanding across AI/ML, Generative AI, Agentic AI, data engineering, MLOps, cloud data platforms and enterprise architecture.

• Experience operating across multi-cloud environments, ideally including GCP, AWS and open-source AI ecosystems.

• Commercially minded, with the ability to connect AI strategy directly to business performance, customer engagement, operational efficiency and revenue growth.

• Able to lead, partner with and influence cross-functional teams including Data Engineering, Data Science, Software Engineering, BI, Analytics and AI Platform Engineering.

• Complete finisher who can own work from concept through to delivery in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.

• Hands-on and comfortable influencing style, culture and ways of working across the organisation.

Additional Information

At Entain, we know that signing top players requires a great starting package, and plenty of support to inspire peak performance. Join us, and a competitive salary is just the beginning.

Depending on your role and location, you can expect to receive benefits like

• A regular bonus
• Healthcare support
• A stake in our success through our ShareSave scheme
• Great development opportunities
• Hybrid working - 2+ days in office
• Wellbeing support, and so much more.

And outside of this, you'll have the chance to turn recognition from leaders and colleagues into amazing prizes, join a winning team of talented people and be a part of an inclusive and supporting community where everyone is celebrated for being themselves.

Should you need any adjustments or accommodations to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact us.