Head of Business Development - AI

Job Description

You will spearhead the commercial expansion of our Data Monetisation business into the Finance vertical — including hedge funds, banks, credit risk & fraud, private equity and consulting firms. Your remit spans full-cycle BD: market strategy and segmentation, client & broker engagement, deal structuring and closure, onboarding, and customer success. This role is critical for securing early high-value deals and establishing Finance as a core revenue vertical.

Establishing a strong presence in the Finance vertical is critical to hitting our early-year revenue targets and proving the viability of high-margin, compliance-heavy data offerings. Success here will validate our data-product vision, build a scalable broker/distributor channel, and lay the foundation for expansion into other regulated sectors.

Who we are

The UK’s fastest broadband network. The nation’s best-loved mobile brand. And, one of the UK's biggest companies too. We put our customers first, making life simpler, smoother, and more joyful. With big ambitions and a brilliant team, we’re building a more connected future for everyone.

Our ways of working

We’re a flexible-first organisation, because we know people do their best work when they have choice and clarity. To support meaningful collaboration, we ask everyone to spend at least eight days each month connecting in person.

That doesn’t just mean time in the office, it could be team meetings, offsites, volunteering days, cross-functional projects, or away days - anywhere meaningful collaboration happens. What matters is making those moments purposeful, so when we come together, it really counts.

Accessible, inclusive and equitable for all

Virgin Media O2 is an equal opportunities employer and we're working hard to remove bias and barriers for our people and candidates. So, we build equity and inclusion into everything we do, from the policies we craft to the relationships we shape. We support and encourage you to be your authentic self throughout your application journey with us.

The must haves

In order to be considered, you must have the following experience;

• Proven track record selling data, analytics or alternative-data solutions into financial institutions or similarly regulated industries.
• Strong negotiation, deal structuring, and contract management skills — comfortable dealing with compliance, licensing, and legal complexity.
• Deep understanding of financial-services buying cycles, procurement processes, value drivers (risk models, credit decisioning, fraud, PE/quant strategies).
• Ability to manage brokers or reseller/distributor relationships, and build a repeatable revenue generation model through them.
• Excellent stakeholder management: able to interface with broker partners, C-level/tier-1 buyers, internal engineering, privacy and product teams.
• Existing network or contacts in hedge funds, banks, PE/VC firms, or consulting firms — especially those dealing in alternative data or quant strategies.

The other stuff we are looking for

We'd also love you to bring;

• Familiarity with data privacy, anonymisation methods, PETs or data-governance frameworks.
• Prior experience working with large datasets, data licensing, data compliance or data-driven financial products.

What's in it for you

Our goal is to celebrate our people, their lives and everything in-between. We aim to create a culture that empowers everyone to bring the best versions of themselves to work each and every day. We believe the most inclusive and diverse culture makes for a better business and a brighter world.

Working at Virgin Media O2, you get a bumper reward package bursting with benefits, and loads of extras you can add if you’d like to. These are designed to support both you and your loved ones, making sure that you’re covered no matter what life throws your way.

Next steps

If we feel like a place where you can belong, we'd love to learn more about you as a person and your experience to date.

When you apply, you'll be asked about any adjustments you might need to support the recruitment process. Let us know, and we'll be sure to discuss it with you.

Please note: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert, therefore we may bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as possible. If you’re offered a job with us, it will be conditional, based on the passing of background checks. All roles require a criminal record check and some roles need a financial probity check. Your recruiter can provide you with more information if needed.

Thanks for your patience and for showing an interest in joining the Virgin Media O2 family.

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