Head Of Ai, Consumer

Westpac Group; Sydney; On-site; AUD 250,000 - 380,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Special offers on banking products

Flexible work arrangements

Tailored learning and development

Volunteer/community initiatives

Job summary

Westpac is hiring a Head of AI, Consumer to lead the data science and AI strategy for Home Lending, Everyday Banking, Consumer Finance and retail teams. You will guide a team of AI specialists, partner with senior stakeholders, and embed applied AI across platforms and processes.

You will drive responsible AI practices, governance, and innovation while delivering customer outcomes and operational efficiency across the Consumer division.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in building and leading AI teams.
• Deep knowledge of contemporary AI tools and techniques, including machine learning, LLMs, agentic AI, prompt design, MLOps and scalable cloud-based deployment.
• Experience deploying models and AI applications at scale in mission-critical contexts.
• Proficiency in tools such as Python, R, SQL, and data visualisation platforms.
• Strong commercial acumen and strategic thinking capability.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cultural change and uplift organisational capability.
• Passion for ethical AI and customer-centric innovation.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the business AI strategy aligned to divisional objectives.
• Lead and grow a high-performing team of AI scientists
• Drive the development of predictive models, agentic solutions, and frontier AI capabilities
• Ensure strong statistical rigour and best practice experimentation across all modelling activities
• Translate complex business problems into actionable AI solutions
• Partner with senior stakeholders across Product, Technology, Risk, and Operations to deliver impactful outcomes
• Provide advice to executive leadership on data-led strategy and opportunities
• Champion ethical AI, innovation, and responsible use of data
• Ensure compliance with AI governance and risk management frameworks
• Monitor model performance, manage risk, and drive continuous improvement

Skills

AI leadership

Machine learning

LLMs

Agentic AI

Prompt design

MLOps

Cloud deployment

Python

SQL

R

Stakeholder engagement

Ethical AI

Tools

Python

R

SQL

Data visualization tools

Job description

Create your best future and join Westpac as Head of AI, Consumer.

What’s the role?

This role is pivotal in transforming how Westpac leverages data and AI to drive strategic decision-making, improve customer outcomes, and enhance operational efficiency. As Head of AI, Consumer, you’ll define and lead the decision science strategy across Consumer banking encompassing Home Lending, Every Day Banking, Consumer Finance and retail/front-line teams. The role will lead a team of AI specialists and work closely across technical and business teams to embed applied science into Westpac’s culture, platforms, and processes. It will play a key role in shaping the division’s AI strategy and future direction.

This role is responsible for driving thought leadership and innovation in AI, enabling improved customer outcomes and enhanced operational performance through applied AI for the Consumer bank.

As Head of AI, Consumer you will lead a team of experts across a range of data science and engineering disciplines, partnering closely with senior stakeholders in the business unit to deliver outcomes across platforms, processes, and culture. The role will play a key part in shaping the organisation’s future through innovation, machine learning, agentic AI, and responsible AI practices.

Key responsibilities

• Define and execute the business AI strategy aligned to divisional objectives.
• Lead and grow a high-performing team of AI scientists
• Drive the development of predictive models, agentic solutions, and frontier AI capabilities
• Ensure strong statistical rigour and best practice experimentation across all modelling activities
• Translate complex business problems into actionable AI solutions
• Partner with senior stakeholders across Product, Technology, Risk, and Operations to deliver impactful outcomes
• Provide advice to executive leadership on data-led strategy and opportunities
• Champion ethical AI, innovation, and responsible use of data
• Ensure compliance with AI governance and risk management frameworks
• Monitor model performance, manage risk, and drive continuous improvement

What’s in it for me?

• Opportunity to lead AI strategy ad execution for the Consumer division
• Work at the forefront of AI-led transformation
• Influence senior stakeholders and shape strategic outcomes

What do I need?

• Proven experience in building and leading AI teams
• Deep knowledge of contemporary AI tools and techniques, including machine learning, LLMs, agentic AI, prompt design, MLOps and scalable cloud-based deployment
• Experience deploying models and AI applications at scale in mission-critical contexts
• Proficiency in tools such as Python, R, SQL, and data visualisation platforms
• Strong commercial acumen and strategic thinking capability
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to lead cultural change and uplift organisational capability
• Passion for ethical AI and customer-centric innovation

Our Promise to You

We’re obsessed with becoming our customers' #1 banking partner for life and we’re looking for people who are passionate about helping us achieve that goal. In return, we’re committed to making Westpac the best place to work in the country. Here are just a few of the ways we’re already doing that:

• Special offers on banking products and discounts from top brands, including generous employee-only mortgage rates!
• Flexible work arrangements to help you achieve a greater work/life balance, and a variety of leave options including Culture, Lifestyle and Wellbeing leave.
• Tailored learning and development opportunities to help your grow your career within the bank.
• Lots of opportunities to ‘give back’ to the Community by getting involved in our many volunteering initiatives.

Create your future today

We’re all about creating a supportive and inclusive community. We welcome everyone – no matter your age, gender, background, or abilities. We also provide additional support to welcome our veterans, Indigenous Australians and neurodiverse community.

If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, you can find more information and contact details on our FAQs and how to contact us page , under the ‘Diversity, sustainability and flexibility’ section.

We may close this job advertisement earlier than the advertised closing date if suitable candidates are identified. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.