AI Optimisation Manager - Colleague Success

Lloyds Banking Group; Bristol; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A major financial services provider in the UK is seeking an experienced AI Optimisation Manager to lead the design and delivery of AI-driven HR solutions. The role involves redesigning processes, leveraging automation technologies, and engaging with stakeholders to foster innovation. The ideal candidate has expertise in AI technologies, a strong background in HR operations, and a capability for strategic thinking. This position offers a hybrid work model and a competitive benefits package.

Benefits

Generous pension contribution up to 15%

Annual performance-related bonus

Share schemes including free shares

Discounted shopping benefits

30 days' holiday plus bank holidays

Wellbeing initiatives and parental leave policies

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of AI technologies and their integration within HR.
• Tech-savvy with a strong understanding of the latest AI tools.
• Strong understanding of HR workflows and service delivery models.

Responsibilities

• Identifying inefficiencies in processes and redesigning them using automation.
• Applying data-driven insights to inform transition planning.
• Conducting needs assessments to identify pain points and propose AI solutions.

Skills

AI & HR System Expertise

Subject Matter Specialist

HR Operational Fluency

Strategic Thinking

Tools

ServiceNow

Workday

data analytics platforms

Job description

Overview

End Date

Wednesday 17 September 2025

Salary Range

£0 - £0

Flexible Working Options

Hybrid Working, Job Share

We support flexible working – click here for more information on flexible working options

Job Description Summary

Title: AI Optimisation Manager
LOCATIONS: Leeds or Bristol
WORKING PATTERN: Hybrid, 40% (or two days) in an office location

Job Description

The AI Optimisation Manager will work as part of virtual optimisation squads across our Centres of Excellence, Platform and Operations teams to lead the design and delivery of AI-enabled HR solutions that enhance colleague experiences, streamline operations and support strategic workforce initiatives.

The ideal candidate will have a deep knowledge of AI (e.g. chatbots, predictive analytics, intelligent and autonomous agents) and automation, demonstrating a proven track record of identifying and capitalising on opportunities to implement this technology effectively within the HR function. They will act as a key enabler for fostering innovation and ensuring the successful identification and delivery of AI solutions, across our HR operational products and services.

We highly value external insights and encourage candidates who bring a fresh, outside-in perspective and demonstrate a strong willingness to learn and the capacity to grasp and quickly absorb emerging concepts such as Agentic AI.

The role will be varied, no two days will be the same, and you’ll be concurrently delivering across a range of responsibilities including:

Responsibilities

Process Redesign:

• Identifying inefficiencies in current processes and redesigning them using internal SCALE methodology and automation techniques. This involves mapping out current processes, identifying bottlenecks and waste, and developing efficient future state processes that leverage the latest tech and best practices.

Data-Driven Decision Making:

• Applying data-driven insights to diagnose issues and inform transition planning. Using analytics to uncover patterns, predict outcomes, and guide decision-making to ensure optimisation efforts are grounded in solid evidence.

Opportunity identification:

• Conduct thorough needs assessments to identify and understand pain points and working with technical teams to determine which AI solutions will provide the most value in addressing these challenges, while incorporating impactful human touch at critical moments.

Workshop Facilitation & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Challenging stakeholders to adopt simple, scalable designs that align with business goals. Facilitate workshops, lead discussions, and build consensus among diverse groups to drive forward the optimisation and AI automation agenda.

Innovation Fostering:

• Foster a culture of innovation by promoting the adoption of AI technologies. Continuously research and evaluate modern technologies, such as Agentic AI, to ensure our approach remains innovative and effective.
• Collaborate with our architecture and specialist engineering teams to implement these advancements.

External Insight and Market insights:

• Leverage a strong network to stay updated on AI trends and to understand how other market players are tackling similar challenges.
• Bringing innovative ideas and best practices into our initiatives. Effectively communicate these insights externally through compelling storytelling.

Continuous Learning:

• Commitment to staying abreast of the latest developments in Agentic AI and related technologies, continuously seeking ways to improve and optimise their application.

Enabler Identification:

• Identifying the broad range of enablers needed to successfully implement new optimised processes. This includes technology, organisation design, training, communication, and other elements that support optimisation efforts.

Transition Monitoring:

• Monitoring transition progress, addressing resistance, and embedding continuous improvement.
• Track the implementation of new processes, identify and mitigate risks, and ensure that changes are fully embedded and sustained over time.

Delivering at Pace:

• Leading initiatives with urgency and efficiency, ensuring timely delivery of optimisation projects.
• Use agile working practices to drive opportunities and designs of AI solutions at pace, employing an iterative approach.

Key Skills Required:

And you’ll possess the following super strengths:

AI & HR System Expertise:

• In-depth knowledge and experience with AI technologies, including their implementation and integration within a future-facing, colleague-centric people function. Experience with ServiceNow, Workday, and data analytics platforms is highly desirable.
• Demonstrate a huge capacity for learning to enable continuous growth in experience that will facilitate the development and integration of autonomous HR Agents.

Subject Matter Specialist:

• You must be tech-savvy, with a strong understanding of the latest AI tools and technologies, with an increasing focus on Agentic AI and the ability to apply these in practical, impactful ways across colleague-facing processes.

HR Operational Fluency:

• Possess a strong understanding of HR workflows, policies, and service delivery models. Demonstrate the ability to navigate complex HR environments and comprehend the intricacies of HR Operations and Shared Service functions. Global HR experience within a global HR organisation is desirable, especially as we expand our future plans in the UK and in India.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills to work effectively with key stakeholders and ensure successful adoption of AI technologies, with the ability to successfully manage contentious discussions and influence towards the optimal outcome.

Strategic Thinking:

• Ability to develop and drive strategic initiatives, aligning AI solutions with organisational goals and objectives.
• Transformational Leadership through a proven track record of leading transformative change, leveraging AI to enhance organisational performance and achieve strategic outcomes.
• Strong analytical skills to identify and capitalise on opportunities for implementing AI solutions effectively.
• Ability to foster a culture of innovation, encouraging creative problem-solving approaches and the adoption of modern technologies with a focus on Agentic AI.
• Understanding of ethical AI principles and compliance with data privacy regulations desirable.

About working for us

Our focus is to ensure we’re inclusive every day, building an organisation that reflects modern society and celebrates diversity in all its forms. We’re committed to creating a consciously inclusive workplace where our colleagues can be themselves, thrive and perform at their best. We were one of the first major organisations to set goals on diversity in senior roles, create a menopause health package, and a dedicated Working with Cancer Initiative.

As an inclusive employer, we offer Workplace Adjustments for colleagues with a disability (which may include long-term health and neurodivergent conditions) where it is reasonable to do so. This could include flexibility with regards to office attendance, location, and working pattern. We also provide adjustments that are reasonable throughout the recruitment process to reduce or remove barriers for applicants with a disability, long-term health condition or neurodivergent condition. If you’d like an adjustment to the recruitment process just let us know.

We also offer a wide-ranging benefits package, which includes:

• A generous pension contribution of up to 15%
• An annual performance-related bonus
• Share schemes including free shares
• Benefits you can adapt to your lifestyle, such as discounted shopping
• 30 days’ holiday, with bank holidays on top
• A range of wellbeing initiatives and generous parental leave policies

Join us and be part of our ambitious journey to craft the future of HR technology and deliver world-class experiences to our colleagues and customers!

At Lloyds Banking Group, we\'re driven by a clear purpose; to help Britain prosper. Across the Group, our colleagues are focused on making a difference to customers, businesses and communities. With us you\'ll have a key role to play in shaping the financial services of the future, whilst the scale and reach of our Group means you\'ll have many opportunities to learn, grow and develop.

We keep your data safe. So, we\'ll only ever ask you to provide confidential or sensitive information once you have formally been invited along to an interview or accepted a verbal offer to join us which is when we run our background checks. We\'ll always explain what we need and why, with any request coming from a trusted Lloyds Banking Group person.

We\'re focused on creating a values-led culture and are committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the customers and communities we serve. Together we’re building a truly inclusive workplace where all of our colleagues have the opportunity to make a real difference.