Head of AI

About the Role

The Head of AI will be responsible for shaping and delivering the organisation's AI strategy, turning strategic ambition into practical, high‑impact AI and data science solutions. Reporting to the Director of Data & AI, the role will build and lead a high‑performing AI and Data Science function, working closely with senior business leaders across the financial services organisation to leverage shared capabilities, drive innovation, and embed best practice. This position plays a pivotal role in realising measurable commercial value, enhancing operational efficiency, and ensuring AI products are well‑governed, scalable, and adopted across the enterprise.

What You'll Be Doing

• Shape and deliver the organisation's AI strategy, aligned to core business priorities and the wider group direction
• Translate strategic AI objectives into a clear, prioritised roadmap for delivery
• Build, lead, and develop a multidisciplinary AI and Data Science team, including data scientists, AI/ML engineers, and AI product specialists
• Lead the AI innovation agenda across key business domains such as Customer, Risk, Operations, Trading, Compliance, and Marketing
• Oversee the design, development, and deployment of advanced analytics and AI solutions that drive measurable financial and operational outcomes
• Partner closely with Technology, Data Governance, and Business Intelligence teams to ensure scalable platforms, strong data foundations, and effective governance
• Act as the senior AI partner for business leaders, ensuring solutions are adopted and deliver real‑world impact
• Identify, evaluate, and prioritise AI use cases that support growth, risk reduction, customer engagement, and operational optimisation
• Establish and embed rigorous AI model governance, monitoring, and lifecycle management
• Create and maintain a robust measurement framework to demonstrate ROI and value assurance for AI investments
• Build and manage strategic relationships with third‑party analytics partners, technology vendors, and academic collaborators
• Stay at the forefront of emerging trends in AI, machine learning, and data science, applying best practice to the organisation's context
  

Desired Skills and Experience

Demonstrable experience shaping and delivering an AI or advanced analytics strategy within a complex organisation, ideally in financial services
Proven track record building, leading, and developing AI, Data Science, or Advanced Analytics teams
Strong hands-on experience in advanced analytics techniques such as machine learning, generative AI/LLMs, automation, forecasting, optimisation, segmentation, and predictive modelling
Practical experience using modern data science and analytics tools (e.g. Python, SQL) in production environments
Evidence of developing and deploying well‑governed AI products that deliver measurable business
Strong commercial acumen, with experience converting data and AI insights into revenue growth, improved customer outcomes, operational efficiency, or cost reduction
Experience working with large and complex data environments, including integrating external data sources
Proven ability to influence C‑suite and senior stakeholders, using insight and evidence to drive decision‑making