Fractional AI Strategy Consultant at Universal… · Manchester

UBT Recruitment is seeking an experienced Fractional AI Strategy Consultant to support our portfolio of SME and family-owned clients across the UK. This is a unique opportunity to work directly with business owners, directors and leadership teams, helping them identify, prioritise and implement practical AI solutions that improve productivity, increase profitability and create competitive advantage.

Unlike many AI-focused roles, this position is not about building complex models or writing code. It is about understanding businesses, uncovering opportunities and turning AI from a buzzword into measurable business outcomes.

This role is ideally suited to an experienced consultant, transformation leader, digital strategist or former executive who combines strong commercial acumen with a deep understanding of emerging AI technologies to operate as a trusted advisor to leadership teams.

Responsibilities

• Advise SME and family-owned businesses on the strategic adoption of AI technologies.

• Conduct AI readiness assessments across sales, marketing, finance, operations, customer service and HR functions.

• Identify opportunities to reduce costs, improve productivity and drive revenue growth through AI-enabled solutions.

• Develop practical AI strategies and implementation roadmaps aligned to business objectives.

• Facilitate workshops with directors, owners and leadership teams to educate and build confidence in AI adoption.

• Assess existing business processes and recommend automation opportunities.

• Proven experience advising businesses on strategy, transformation, operational improvement or technology adoption.

• Strong understanding of current AI technologies and their practical application within SMEs.

• Demonstrable track record of delivering measurable business improvements, including revenue growth, cost reduction or productivity gains.

• Experience working with owner-managed, entrepreneurial or family-owned businesses.

• Excellent commercial awareness with the ability to link AI initiatives directly to business outcomes.

• Previous experience as a Managing Director, COO, Transformation Director, Digital Director or Management Consultant.

• Proven experience delivering AI, automation or digital transformation programmes.

We envisage day rates to be in region of £1,000 a day and we engage workers on a contractor of record arrangement.

The network of businesses we support are Nationwide but we will make every effort to align your skills with companies within commutable distances.

The nature of the assignments are likely to be fractional - i.e. a day or two a week either on an ongoing basis or for a defined project

IND25