AI & Automation Lead

WWF; Woking; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Flexible working

Pension 7.5% + employee 10%

Learning and development

Wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

WWF-UK is recruiting its first dedicated AI & Automation Lead to shape how AI and automation are used responsibly, securely and effectively in support of our mission. You will drive the roadmap, prioritise use cases, build business cases and coordinate pilots, while ensuring human oversight and governance across data, privacy and security.

This is a hybrid role based at Living Planet Centre, Woking, with 40% in-person collaboration.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading or delivering AI, automation, digital transformation or technology initiatives within a complex organisation.
• Experience developing or assuring AI-enabled solutions and moving prototypes into controlled operational use.
• Strong understanding of AI governance, ownership, evaluation, monitoring, documentation and lifecycle management.

Responsibilities

• Lead WWF-UK's AI and automation roadmap and prioritise use cases.
• Coordinate pilots and implementations, developing business cases and measurable outcomes.
• Establish governance for scale, including ownership, oversight and risk management.
• Provide practical guidance, training and support for adoption across teams and suppliers.
• Lead and develop colleagues in the AI and automation area.

Skills

AI governance

AI/automation leadership

AI-enabled solutions

Responsible AI

Security & data protection

Microsoft AI ecosystem

Software development (AI)

Strategic thinking

Prioritising & business cases

Communication & influencing

Stakeholder management

Supplier/delivery management

Coaching/people management

Job description

AI & Automation Lead

£58,000pa

Living Planet Centre, Woking, Surrey GU21 4LL / Hybrid Working

Minimum 40% in person collaboration per month

Join us at WWF-UK – AI & AUTOMATION LEAD

About the role

We’re recruiting WWF-UK’s first dedicated AI & Automation Lead to shape how we use AI and automation effectively, securely and responsibly in support of our mission. Reporting to the Director of Technology, you’ll lead our AI and automation roadmap, turning promising opportunities into practical solutions that improve productivity, supporter engagement, fundraising, decision‑making and operational efficiency. This strategic and hands‑on role will prioritise use cases, develop business cases, coordinate pilots and implementations, and contribute directly to solutions where appropriate. You’ll establish the governance needed to scale AI responsibly, working across data, security, privacy and technology to ensure clear ownership, human oversight and robust testing, monitoring and risk management. You’ll build confidence and capability through practical guidance, training and support for adoption, while overseeing suppliers, delivery resources, platform costs and benefits. As the capability grows, you’ll also lead and develop colleagues in the AI and automation area. You’ll combine strong technical understanding with strategic judgement, practical delivery skills and a clear‑eyed approach to both the opportunities and risks of AI.

Skills and experience

Essential

• Significant experience leading or delivering AI, automation, digital transformation, data or technology initiatives within a complex organisation
• Practical experience developing, configuring, integrating or assuring AI-enabled solutions and moving prototypes into controlled operational use
• Strong understanding of AI governance, including ownership, evaluation, monitoring, documentation, human oversight and lifecycle management
• Practical knowledge of responsible AI principles, including privacy, transparency, fairness and bias, accessibility, intellectual property and human oversight
• Experience working with security, data protection, governance, risk and technical specialists to identify and manage AI‑related risks
• Strong understanding of the Microsoft AI ecosystem and the practical considerations involved in deploying, monitoring and maintaining AI services
• Software development skills, with experience designing, building, testing and maintaining AI or automation solutions using appropriate development practices
• Strong strategic and analytical thinking, with the ability to identify where AI can create meaningful value and where it may introduce risk or unintended consequences
• Experience turning broad opportunities into clear priorities, business cases, delivery plans and measurable outcomes
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to explain technology, cost, architecture and risk clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively, build trust and navigate competing priorities
• Experience managing suppliers, partners or delivery teams and assessing value for money
• Experience coaching, developing or line managing colleagues in a technical environment

Desirable

• Experience managing Microsoft AI licensing, consumption or capacity models
• Knowledge of data governance, including data quality, classification, access and retention
• Experience working with agentic AI or multi‑agent approaches
• Understanding of CRM, supporter engagement, fundraising, digital or operational transformation
• Experience working within a charity, purpose‑led or similarly complex organisation
• Experience introducing new AI capability or ways of working into an organisation
• A strong connection to WWF‑UK’s mission and an interest in how responsible technology can help us deliver greater impact for nature

What we offer

• Annual leave starting at 26 days a year, rising one day each year to 31 days plus bank holidays
• Flexible working options, to support your work life balance
• 7.5% employer contribution to pension, rising to 10% with employee contribution
• Learning and development opportunities to help you grow
• Regular wellbeing initiatives to support your health and happiness.

This is a UK based contract, and you are required to have the Right to Work in the UK. Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer sponsorship and any offer of employment will be subject to evidence of your Right to Work in the UK.

This role is hybrid with a minimum 40% of your contracted hours spent at our beautiful UK head office, the Living Planet Centre in Woking, Surrey, where you’ll hot desk among trees and gardens.

About WWF-UK

We’re a global conservation charity with millions of supporters and hundreds of projects around the world. At WWF-UK, we’re bringing our world back to life. Protecting what’s left isn’t enough. We’re racing to restore nature and prevent catastrophic climate change. And it’s a race we can win with everyone’s help. We’re courageous, passionate, and driven by science. For more than 60 years we’ve been at the forefront of global efforts to protect wildlife and the natural world. We work with integrity, collaboration and deep respect for those we partner with.

Our Diversity Promise to You

At the heart of our mission is a simple truth: the planet needs everyone. That means you - in all your uniqueness, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or how you choose to express yourself. We don’t do stereotypes. We work together with purpose, driven by passion and enhanced by respect, courage, and integrity. We pull together from all walks of life to fight for a better future, and we want you to feel supported every step of the way. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident employer and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels they belong. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and identities.

So, if there’s anything we can do to make your application or interview experience more comfortable or accessible, just give our Talent Acquisition Team a shout at via our website.

Safeguarding Commitment

Just as we celebrate diversity in all its forms, we are equally dedicated to creating a safe environment for every person we work with or encounter. Our commitment extends to children, adults at risk, and individuals experiencing any form of vulnerability, whether temporary or permanent. We proudly stand behind CAPSEAH (Common Approach to Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment) and put this commitment into action through clear policies, thorough training, and recruitment checks tailored to each role, which may include external vetting. If you ever have a concern, however big or small, know that there are confidential channels ready to support you at WWF-UK. We promise to respond promptly and with care, because protecting every individual is at the heart of everything we do.

Application closing date: 08/11/2026