AI Governance Lead – Hybrid

Imperial Brands; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Imperial Brands is seeking an AI Governance Lead to define and govern AI usage across the global organisation. You will shape an enterprise AI governance framework, balancing innovation with strict risk management and regulatory compliance.

Based at Bristol HQ with a 50% hybrid model, you will collaborate across Legal, Security, Compliance and Data Governance to embed governance throughout AI solutions. Join a leading FMCG group and lead governance efforts across the AI lifecycle, providing

Qualifications

• Experience in governance, risk, compliance, data governance, AI or technology leadership roles.
• Deep understanding of AI governance and regulatory compliance.
• Experience with large multinational organisations and managing multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead and evolve the enterprise AI governance framework across the organisation.
• Establish responsible AI guardrails and risk management processes to enable innovation and ensure compliance.
• Drive governance across the AI lifecycle from experimentation to retirement and monitoring.
• Partner with Legal, Security, Compliance and Data Governance to embed regulatory requirements into AI solutions.
• Provide oversight and challenge on AI adoption, manage risk classifications and governance decisions for high-risk use cases.
• Build and lead a high-performing AI governance capability with executive reporting and insights.

Skills

AI governance

risk management

compliance

data governance

stakeholder management

leadership

Job description

The Role

Ready to define how AI is governed across a globalorganisationand shape the future of responsible AI? Come and joinImperial Brandsas ourAI Governance Lead, where you will be joiningan inclusive, innovative global FMCG business powered by 25,000 talented employees worldwide, where yourexpertisewill help shapeour future.

As ourAI Governance Lead, you will play a pivotal role in enabling the safe,responsibleand scalable adoption of Artificial Intelligence across theorganisation.

Reporting into the DataandAI Hub, you will own and evolve the enterprise AI governance framework, ensuring AI use cases, models,platformsand AI-enabled productsoperatewithin approved policies,controlsand risk guardrails.

This is a strategic position sitting at the intersection of technology, risk,complianceand business transformation. You will help shape how AI is adopted across theorganisation, balancing innovation with governance while providing clear accountability,oversightand assurance.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape and lead AI governance at enterprise scale, ensuring innovation is delivered responsibly, securely and in line with emerging regulatory expectations.

This role is based at our Bristol HQ, where we work ona 50% hybrid working model.

Principle Accountabilities

• Lead and evolve the enterprise AI governance framework, ensuring AI initiativesoperatewithin agreed policies,standardsand control requirements.
• Establish responsible AI guardrails and risk management processesthat enable innovation whilemaintainingcompliance,transparencyand accountability.
• Drive governance across the AI lifecycle, from experimentation and approvalthrough tomonitoring, change control and retirement.
• Partner with Legal, Security, Compliance and Data Governanceteams to embed regulatory and governance requirements into AI solutions and products
• Provide oversight andchallengeon AI adoption, managing risk classification, escalations, policyexceptionsand governance decisions for high-risk use cases.
• Build and lead a high-performing AI governance capability, providing executive reporting, governanceinsightsand thought leadership across the organisation

Skills and Experience Required

• Experience in governance, risk, compliance, data governance, AI,analyticsor technology leadership roles

• Deep understanding of AI governance, responsible AI, model riskmanagementand regulatory compliance; alongsideexperienceofdeveloping and implementing governance frameworks and policies

• Strong understanding of AI/ML concepts, model lifecyclemanagementand associated risks

• Experience working with legal, compliance,securityand enterprise risk functions

• Experience within large, complex,multinationalorganisationsand managing multiple stakeholders
• Knowledge of emerging AI regulations, responsible AIframeworksand industry best practices

What We Offer

In return for playing your part in building our future, you will receive a comprehensive compensation package with salary, bonus scheme and further benefits as well inspiring places to work and collaborate with purpose. Here at Imperial we will give you the opportunity to grow and learn, innovate at pace and be a part of our purpose to forge a path to a healthier future for moments of relaxation and pleasure for our consumers.

Everyone Belongs

Everyone belongs in Imperial. We are proud of being a truly inclusive organisation. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, nationalities, disabilities, sexual orientation, religions or beliefs and of neuro divergence. We give fair and equal consideration to all our applicants. Please contact us at [e-mail] to let us know if we can provide support in helping you complete an application and/or attend an interview.

About Us

We're a truly international company, fourth largest in our industry and operating across 120 markets. An inclusive, innovative global FMCG business supported by 25,000 employees. As we embrace a new era of growth, we are transforming. Our ways of working and culture are driven by a challenger mindset, constantly questioning the status quo where people can bring their best selves to work. Our agility and collaboration are driving our ambitions, innovation and success all supported by our award-winning development programmes that creates exciting and rewarding career opportunities for all. Encouraging inclusion at local levels and supporting a developing and robust diversity agenda globally, we’re fully committed to creating and maintaining an environment that celebrates and respects difference.

As a matter of policy, Imperial Tobacco or its subsidiaries never requests or requires payment as part of any recruitment process.