Data & AI Capability Lead

At Kainos, we’re problem solvers, innovators, and collaborators - driven by a shared mission to create real impact. Whether we’re transforming digital services for millions, delivering cutting-edge Workday solutions, or pushing the boundaries of technology, we do it together.

We believe in a people-first culture, where your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and your contributions truly make a difference. Here, you’ll be part of a diverse, ambitious team that celebrates creativity and collaboration.

Ready to make your mark? Join us and be part of something bigger.

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE BUSINESS:

As a Capability Lead (Leader) at Kainos, the person in this role will be fully accountable for the success of the Capability, setting its direction and ensuring its services, standards, people, and innovation remain relevant, scalable, and impactful in support of Sector-led delivery, sales, and market engagement. You will develop capability strategy, defining and maintaining Services, Accelerators and delivery practices that are recognised internally and externally as inspiring, market leading and thought leading. The position oversees the creation of a capability strategy that delivers the workforce required by the business to deliver an excellent service to our clients, ensuring the growth and wellbeing of people in line with Kainos culture and values. You will evolve the capability to be deliberately progressive, using broader market awareness, and establishing Alliance Partnerships as appropriate to complement the Services we offer. 

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Setting and evolving a capability strategy that drives thought leadership, innovation, talent development, and growth, informed by market understanding and aligned to Sector and wider BU strategies 
• Defining and maintaining Services and Accelerators aligned to Sector needs, ensuring supporting collateral remains reusable and is consistently recognised internally and externally for quality and impact 
• External-facing thought leadership and responsibility for capability profile
• Proactively aligning capability support to Sector-led pursuits and sales, ensuring credibility, relevance and senior advisor input for existing and prospective clients.
• Building and sustaining strong and trusted partner relationships with Senior/C-level stakeholders within Kainos, our client base and/or industry forums
• Shaping and sustaining the capability’s long‑term talent and skills strategy, supporting a strong and diverse pipeline aligned to Sector demand and future business needs.
• Working in partnership with BU Operational and Talent Acquisition teams to deliver BU Workforce plans that ensure appropriate capacity and capability exist within the business, aligned to current and future Sector/industry trends 
• Setting direction and priorities for capability‑wide learning, development and skills uplift, ensuring the capability continues to evolve in line with market, sector and technology trends.
• Fostering a strong sense of professional identity, belonging and engagement within the capability, promoting continuous improvement, knowledge sharing and role‑model leadership
• Defining and advocating for the correct implementation of standards, patterns, methodologies and best practices that support sector delivery quality and assurance
• Evolving the capability Services, best practices and associated skills to adopt a progressive AI-first approach, aligned to Sector and BU strategies
• Identifying and managing capability risk and succession plans, putting in place mitigation measures where possible and escalating to the BU/Company risk register when appropriate

Minimum (essential) requirements

• Demonstrable success in a leadership position, creating and evolving a strategy with proven success of thought leadership, innovation, talent development, and growth
• Demonstrable depth of experience and recognised credibility in the relevant capability specialism, well informed spanning both domain/technical and commercial aspects
• Ability to foster and develop senior relationships, and to operate as a recognised leader internally and externally, displaying a professional, credible and positive image and attitude for Kainos
• People- orientated with the ability to proactively shape future vision and strategy for a capability, and to devise and lead credible plans to implement these
• Ability to make decisions while being inclusive when evaluating options, creating shared buy-in, ensuring the best outcome for Kainos
• Evidence of innovating or driving initiatives to continually grow or improve the capability or effectiveness of a team

Desirable

• Evidence of having successfully led significant capability initiatives (e.g. defining and implementing a capability strategy, thought leadership, workforce planning or talent and skills development)
• Committed and passionate about personal and professional development
• Passionate about developing others and sharing in their success

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.