Talent Smart

AI and Data SME Largely remote-based, with ad hoc travel to Sheffield Initial 6-month contract Inside IR35 £700 per day We re partnering with a leading financial services client to appoint an AI and Data SME to act as the key bridge between AI initiatives and the Data Security function. The role will provide specialist advice and oversight across emerging AI use cases, ensuring the appropriate data security controls, protections and governance are considered as AI capabilities develop. Key responsibilities: Acting as the primary link between AI initiatives and Data Security, assessing how AI developments could impact the function Working closely with the CTO and wider technology teams on areas including Agentic AI Reviewing AI outcomes and translating their implications into actionable requirements for Data Security teams Defining and embedding appropriate controls around AI use cases and capabilities Supporting capability mapping, identifying emerging patterns, use cases and associated risks Providing advice and guidance to mitigate AI-related data security risks Taking ownership for translating agreed AI outcomes into production-ready controls and processes Working across the wider Data Security landscape, including data protection, data controls, data encryption and database activity monitoring We re looking for someone with a strong Data Security background who also understands AI and can confidently operate across both disciplines, bridging the gap between emerging AI capabilities and enterprise data security requirements. More details available on successful application.

Lead Technical Product Owner Outside IR35 3-days per week on-site We are seeking an experienced Lead Technical Product Owner to join a leading FMCG firm, taking ownership of its customer-facing touchscreen ordering products and Kitchen Display System (KDS). Essential: Candidates must have a background in hospitality technology , with direct experience of touchscreen ordering systems and Kitchen Display Systems (KDS) . Experience in quick-service restaurants, retail technology or other multi-site hospitality environments is highly relevant. Key Responsibilities: Own and maintain product roadmaps, goals and prioritised backlogs for touchscreen ordering and KDS. Lead product discovery, validate user needs and translate customer and operational requirements into clear user stories, acceptance criteria and measurable outcomes. Improve the customer ordering journey, including product selection, basket building, recommendations, payments and order completion. Enhance kitchen production and fulfilment workflows, focusing on order routing, accuracy and operational efficiency. Work closely with UX, Architecture, Engineering, Store Operations and Delivery teams to manage technical dependencies and inform product decisions. Use customer insight, product data and operational feedback to measure performance and prioritise improvements. Provide product leadership and coaching to Business Analysts. Essential Experience: Proven product ownership experience across complex customer-facing or operational technology products. Hands-on experience with hospitality technology, touchscreen ordering and KDS. Understanding of POS integrations, payments, menus, pricing, APIs and connected technology platforms. Strong product discovery, backlog management, stakeholder engagement and evidence-led prioritisation skills. Experience working collaboratively with UX, Engineering, Architecture and operational teams in an Agile environment. More information available on successful application.

Contract: Inside IR35 Location: Remote-based, with the potential requirement to work from Sheffield 2-days per week if a new office policy is introduced. We're partnering with a leading financial services client on a strategic Identity and Access Management transformation programme and are looking for an experienced MFA Engineer to help deliver modern authentication capabilities across a complex enterprise environment. This is a hands-on engineering role requiring strong experience across MFA, IAM and authentication technologies , alongside the ability to work effectively with architecture, cybersecurity, application and infrastructure teams. Key Requirements: Strong hands-on experience engineering MFA and SSO within enterprise IAM environments Deep understanding of modern authentication and federation protocols, particularly OIDC/OAuth2 and SAML Experience with at least one enterprise Identity Provider platform Strong understanding of authentication vs authorisation, identity lifecycle and trust boundaries Working knowledge of PKI, certificates, TLS and key management Experience operating production IAM services, including monitoring, incident and change management Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to challenge and influence technical decisions Ability to work across architecture, cybersecurity, infrastructure and application teams Desirable: Entra ID / Azure AD experience FIDO2/WebAuthn and phishing-resistant MFA experience PowerShell and/or Python scripting and API experience Zero Trust and adaptive/risk-based authentication knowledge PAM and privileged authentication experience Cloud and hybrid identity experience across Azure, AWS or GCP Experience in financial services or other regulated environments Relevant IAM, security or Microsoft Identity certifications This is a key opportunity to play a hands-on role in a major enterprise IAM transformation, helping shape and deliver the future of authentication across a complex financial services environment.

D365 Integration Developer 2-days per week Remote-based Outside IR35 We are seeking a hands-on D365 Integration Developer to support a leading FMCG client on a short-term contract. This is a fully remote opportunity requiring approximately two days per week, working UK hours. The role will focus on maintaining and troubleshooting existing integrations between Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (F&O) and connected systems, alongside routine development and technical support. Key Responsibilities Develop and maintain integrations between D365 F&O and other systems. Troubleshoot integration issues and investigate technical requirements. Carry out coding tasks and virtual machine-related activities. Monitor existing integrations and maintain documented processes. Identify opportunities to improve reliability and operational efficiency. Essential Skills & Experience Junior to mid-level experience in D365 integration development. Hands-on coding, integration support and troubleshooting experience. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Ability to work independently, follow established documentation and support routine BAU activities. Availability to work approximately two days per week during UK business hours. The role is primarily focused on maintaining and supporting existing integrations, with limited custom development and no requirement for senior-level architecture expertise. More details available on successful application.

AI Architect / Tech Lead Remote-based (UK) Outside IR35 We are seeking an experienced AI Architect / Tech Lead to join an enterprise client within the energy sector. This is an outside IR35 contract, largely remote-based, offering the opportunity to design and build practical AI solutions while remaining hands-on with software engineering. The ideal candidate will combine strong software development fundamentals with expertise in cloud architecture, generative AI and agentic AI, taking solutions from design through to production. Key Responsibilities Design and develop AI solutions using LLMs, RAG, vector databases and agent orchestration frameworks. Build and deploy agentic AI solutions using tools such as LangGraph and protocols such as MCP. Develop scalable architectures across Azure and AWS, leveraging microservices, APIs and event-driven systems. Establish production-ready AI solutions, covering security, evaluation, observability, performance, scalability and cost optimisation. Apply strong software engineering principles and architectural patterns to deliver robust, maintainable solutions. Assess when AI and agent-based approaches are appropriate, selecting the right technology for each use case. Essential Skills & Experience Strong hands-on software engineering skills, with the ability to write and explain code independently without relying on AI coding assistants. Solid cloud architecture experience across Azure and AWS. Strong understanding of distributed systems, APIs, microservices and event-driven architecture. Practical experience building AI solutions using LLMs, RAG, vector databases and agent orchestration frameworks. Knowledge of agentic AI architectures, agent runtimes and design patterns. Experience taking AI solutions into production, including security, evaluation, monitoring and optimisation. Excellent problem-solving, critical thinking and communication skills, with a collaborative approach to engineering. More details available on successful application.

Department: Data Security (DSEC) / Cybersecurity Engagement: Contract Location: TBC Reporting To: Data Security Leadership / Cybersecurity Role Overview We are seeking an experienced AI & Data Security Consultant to play a pivotal role in shaping how Artificial Intelligence, particularly Agentic AI, is adopted, governed and secured within a complex enterprise environment. Sitting within the Data Security (DSEC) function, this role will act as a critical bridge between the CTO organisation, emerging AI capabilities and the security teams responsible for protecting enterprise data. The successful consultant will assess how AI can enhance existing Data Security capabilities, while also identifying the new risks, vulnerabilities and control requirements introduced by AI adoption. This is a strategic and delivery-focused position, requiring someone who can translate emerging AI technologies into practical business use cases, assess their impact on existing security controls and take business ownership of agreed outcomes through to production. Initially focused on AI capability mapping, Agentic AI and security controls, the role will progressively expand across the wider Data Protection landscape, including Data Security Controls, Encryption, Database Activity Monitoring and associated security capabilities. Key Responsibilities AI Strategy & Capability Mapping Assess how AI and Agentic AI technologies can be applied within the Data Security function to improve operational effectiveness, automation, risk identification and control assurance. Develop an AI capability map identifying relevant technologies, implementation patterns, opportunities and priority use cases across DSEC.Evaluate how AI could transform existing Data Security activities, processes and operating models. Identify opportunities to introduce AI-driven automation and intelligent decision support across security controls. Establish a clear understanding of the potential benefits, dependencies and risks associated with AI adoption. CTO Engagement & Agentic AI Alignment Work closely with the CTO organisation to understand the enterprise's emerging AI and Agentic AI strategy, architecture and delivery roadmap. Review proposed AI capabilities and assess their implications for Data Security teams, processes and existing technology platforms. Translate CTO-led AI initiatives into actionable requirements and outcomes for DSEC. Identify gaps between proposed AI solutions and existing security capabilities, governance arrangements and operational controls. Act as the primary DSEC representative in relevant AI strategy, design and implementation discussions. AI Security Governance & Control Frameworks Define the security controls required to support the safe and responsible adoption of AI technologies. Assess risks associated with AI agents accessing, processing, sharing or acting upon sensitive enterprise data. Establish appropriate control requirements covering data access, identity, permissions, encryption, monitoring, auditability and information protection. Consider risks such as data leakage, prompt injection, unauthorised agent actions, excessive permissions and uncontrolled data movement. Develop practical security patterns and guardrails for AI and Agentic AI implementations. Ensure proposed controls align with enterprise security policies, regulatory requirements and established risk management frameworks. Business Ownership & Production Delivery Take business ownership of agreed AI-enabled Data Security capabilities, from initial assessment and definition through to production implementation. Define business requirements, expected outcomes, acceptance criteria and operational readiness requirements. Work with technology delivery teams, security architects, engineering teams and control owners to implement agreed solutions. Ensure new capabilities are appropriately tested, governed, monitored and supported before production deployment. Establish measurable success criteria to demonstrate operational benefits, control effectiveness and risk reduction. Support the transition of new capabilities into business-as-usual operations. Broader Data Protection & Security Controls As the engagement evolves, the consultant will contribute to the wider Data Security control environment, including: Data Security Controls: Understanding and improving controls governing sensitive information throughout its lifecycle. Data Encryption: Assessing how encryption, cryptographic controls and key management protect enterprise information, including within AI-enabled workflows. Database Activity Monitoring (DAM): Reviewing monitoring capabilities and identifying opportunities for AI-enhanced detection, analysis and response. Data Access Governance: Assessing how AI agents and automated processes access and interact with protected data. Control Integration: Identifying opportunities to align and standardise security controls across multiple Data Protection disciplines. The longer-term ambition is to develop a more integrated approach to AI adoption and security across the full Data Protection control landscape. Essential Experience & Skills Strong background in Data Security, Data Protection, Cybersecurity or Security Controls, ideally gained within a large, complex and highly regulated enterprise. Good understanding of AI technologies, Generative AI and emerging Agentic AI capabilities, including their implications for enterprise security. Experience evaluating technology capabilities, developing use cases and translating strategic objectives into practical implementation plans. Understanding of Data Security controls, data access governance, encryption and data monitoring technologies. Experience developing, assessing or implementing security control frameworks. Ability to engage confidently with CTOs, senior technology leaders, security architects and operational security teams. Proven ability to take ownership of technology or security initiatives and drive outcomes through to production. Strong stakeholder management, communication, analytical and problem-solving skills. Ability to operate at both strategic and practical levels, balancing innovation with security, governance and operational requirements. Desirable Experience Experience within banking, financial services or another highly regulated industry. Exposure to Agentic AI architectures, autonomous agents, AI orchestration or enterprise AI platforms. Knowledge of Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Database Activity Monitoring (DAM), encryption, key management and data classification. Familiarity with AI security risks and governance frameworks, including NIST AI RMF, ISO 27001 and OWASP guidance for LLM and Agentic AI applications. Experience working across multiple cybersecurity control domains. Previous involvement in AI-enabled security transformation, control automation or enterprise AI adoption programmes.