About this role
Summary: Lead the development and execution of AI and machine learning strategy for biometric face verification and security. Oversee the end-to-end lifecycle of AI solutions, from innovation to deployment, while ensuring ethical governance and alignment with business goals.
Head of Core AI
About iProov
iProov provides science-based biometric solutions that enable the world’s most security-conscious organizations to streamline secure remote onboarding and authentication for digital and physical access. Our award-winning liveness technology and iSOC offer unmatched resilience against deepfakes and generative AI threats while ensuring effortless, scalable user experiences. Trusted by leading governments and enterprises, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.K. Home Office, GovTech Singapore, ING, and UBS, iProov sets the standard in biometric identity assurance.
This global trust is built not only on our technology but on the strength of the people behind it. For us, diversity at iProov is about reflecting the customers we serve, holding the principles of equality and inclusion at the heart of everything we do and all that we stand for, embracing differences, creating possibilities, and growing together. We aim to foster a culture where individuals of all backgrounds feel confident in bringing their whole selves to work, feel included, and their talents are nurtured, empowering them to contribute fully to our purpose.
The Role
Reports to: Chief Scientific Officer
Location: WeWork Waterloo, London - Hybrid (At least twice per week)
Comp: Negotiable (Base) + Company Performance Bonus (20%) + EMI Share Options + UK iProov Benefits
As Head of Core AI at iProov, you will lead the development and execution of our AI and machine learning strategy in close partnership with the Chief Scientific Officer. You will oversee the end-to-end lifecycle of AI solutions across biometric face verification and security, from innovation through to deployment and governance. Working cross-functionally with teams across product, platform, research, operations, and legal, you’ll ensure our AI initiatives deliver measurable business value while upholding the highest standards of technical excellence, security, and ethical responsibility.
How you can make an impact
- Define and steward the AI strategy, roadmap, and vision across core AI research, product, and production domains
- Lead teams across research, production/engineering, and MLOps to deliver robust, secure, explainable models for liveness assurance and fraud detection
- Oversee model development and deployment pipelines: data ingestion, training, optimization, evaluation, monitoring, and continuous improvement in adversarial biometric threat landscapes
- Ensure AI is aligned with product and commercial goals, measuring ROI and outcomes of AI deployments
- Drive partnerships and external collaboration with academic, industry, and regulatory stakeholders to stay ahead of emerging biometric and AI trends
- Establish, govern, and audit ethical AI frameworks, bias mitigation, explainability, and compliance with evolving AI regulation (e.g. EU/UK AI Act, ICO guidance)
- Guide vendor/tool/platform evaluation and selection, infrastructure strategy (e.g. cloud/edge deployments), and budgeting for AI capabilities
- Evangelise AI across the company—from board to operations—building AI literacy, dispelling misconceptions, and integrating ethical concerns into business decisions
- Mentor, recruit, and upskill AI engineering and research talent, shaping team structure, career paths, and culture of innovation
What we would like to see from you
- Master’s or PhD in computer science, machine learning, data science, or a AI related field
- 10+ years of experience in AI, ML, or data science, with at least 4+ years in senior leadership roles.
- Demonstrable experience deploying production-grade AI including GenAI, computer vision, and/or adversarial detection systemshttps://www.linkedin.com/pulse/proposed-job-description-head-ai-stephen-lahanas-evmwc?utm_source=chatgpt.com
- Deep technical grounding in, computer vision, machine learning frameworks, model explainability, and adversarial robustness
- Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary teams across research, engineering, and operations, with delivery of high‑impact AI systems at scale
- Experience operating in regulated environments, managing risk, governance, and compliance (e.g. biometric standards, privacy regulation)
- Excellent stakeholder communication and ability to influence executive leadership, non‑technical teams, and external partners
- Business acumen: ability to align AI strategy with commercial objectives, define KPIs, and measure value
- Experience with AI infrastructure, toolchain, vendors, and cloud platforms for high‑throughput deployment
- Experience in early-stage tech firms or scale‑ups building AI functions from scratch
Benefits
- 25 days Annual Leave, plus 8 Bank Holidays (more holiday with service - up to an extra 5 days off per year based on your continuous service)
- Growth Shares allocated after passing probation (6 months of service)
- Salary sacrifice schemes including: Pension, Cycle To Work and Electric Car Scheme
- Nursery Sacrifice Scheme
- Work Overseas Perk - Work globally for up to 2 weeks
- Life Assurance
- SmartHealth - Access to private GP, Psychologist, Nutritionist along with tailored fitness plans for both you and your family
- Benefit from personalized 1:1 career coaching with our in-house Occupational Psychologist
- Award winning L&D platform with personal allocated training budgets
- Enhanced paid family leave
- Pension - 5% employee, 3% employer
- Flexible hybrid working environment
- Free Barista Coffee/Tea, biscuits with fruit in the WeWork office
- Free access to WeWork discounts and free online well-being sessions
- Vitality Health - a range of options available on this below
The Vitality Programme includes a number of reward benefits that all employees have access to as part of the plan, for example:
- Private Health cover including Dental, Optical, and Audiology
- 50% off monthly gym memberships
- Apple watches significantly discounted based member vitality status
- Half price trainers with Runners Need
- Weekly rewards – Free coffee with Café Nero
- Monthly rewards – Free Cinema ticket
- Discounts on travel with Expedia (hotels) and Mr & Mrs Smith with discounts getting greater throughout the year based on a members vitality status
- Amazon prime free months based on activity
- Up to 25% cashback at Waitrose when buying healthy foods
- 75% off stays at Champneys Health Spas
- Allen Carr’s £299 no smoking programme for free
- Access to Vitality Healthy Mind with 30% off Headspace subscriptions and the ability to earn Vitality points for using Buddhify, Calm and Headspace
- Discounts on Weight Watchers
- 50%-80% off Comprehensive Private Health screenings
Our Culture & Recruitment Process
At iProov, we're incredibly proud of the culture we've carefully curated. Our culture enables diverse thought, curiosity and innovation. Our team strives to do everything to the highest standard possible to achieve the remarkable. To do that we need different perspectives, experiences and ideas alongside an environment where these are welcomed - we want everyone to feel confident in bringing their full capabilities to work. We firmly believe psychological safety is key to building and nurturing great teams. We’re a small and dynamic company, that means having the right skills is important, and we know that our best work emerges when people feel secure, welcomed and respected.
As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We’re committed to building a workforce that is representative of the people we serve. We will not put someone at a disadvantage or treat them less favourably because of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, creed, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, or pregnancy and maternity. Our goal is to find people who are passionate about creating a safer, more secure world.
Our recruitment process is designed to be fair and transparent, focusing solely on your qualifications, competence, and suitability for the role. We review all applications carefully and will be in touch with shortlisted candidates regarding the next steps in our interview process. If you need an adjustment for a disability or any other reason during the hiring process, please send a request to careers@iproov.com