Data & AI Capability Lead

Changeworknow is part of the Access Group; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Hybrid work model

Wellbeing benefits

Job summary

Principality is seeking a Data & AI Capability Lead to shape and deliver the organisation’s AI strategy. You will define the AI vision, align it with business priorities and drive enterprise-wide capabilities across data, analytics and AI platforms.

You will lead the adoption of responsible AI practices, establish governance, and collaborate with executive, business and technical teams to deliver measurable value and improved decision making.

Qualifications

• Experience shaping or delivering data, analytics or AI strategy and transformation.
• Strong understanding of data architecture, data platforms and AI solutions.
• Experience with major cloud platforms (Azure/AWS/Google Cloud) and responsible AI governance.

Responsibilities

• Set direction: Define and own the organisation-wide AI vision, strategy and roadmap.
• Build capability across generative AI, ML, automation and AI-enabled decision support.
• Enable responsible delivery with guardrails, standards and reusable frameworks.

Skills

Data strategy

Data architecture

Cloud platforms

AI governance

Stakeholder management

KPI definition

Communication skills

Education

Data/CS/Math degree

Tools

Azure

AWS

Google Cloud

Job description

Hours: 35 - Talk to us about Flexible Working

Hours: 35 - Talk to us about Flexible Working

Hours: 35 - Talk to us about Flexible Working

Hours: 35 - Talk to us about Flexible Working

Hours: 35 - Talk to us about Flexible Working

Contract Duration: Full-Time, Permanent

Closing Date: 04 October 2026

Data & AI Capability Lead

At Principality, we want you to feel welcome from the moment you join us. You’ll be part of a friendly, supportive culture where people are encouraged to be themselves, do meaningful work and feel connected to our purpose, our customers and the communities we serve.

Shape the future of data and AI at Principality

Join us in a newly created role with the opportunity to shape how data and artificial intelligence create meaningful value across Principality. You’ll set the vision and roadmap for our AI capability, turn emerging technology into practical outcomes, and help colleagues adopt responsible, scalable solutions that improve decisions, services and operational efficiency.

What you’ll be doing:

• Set direction: Define and own the organisation-wide AI vision, strategy and roadmap, aligned with Principality’s goals and priorities.
• Build capability: Establish enterprise capabilities across generative AI, machine learning, intelligent automation and AI-enabled decision support.
• Enable responsible delivery: Develop clear standards, guardrails, reusable frameworks, patterns and accelerators for safe, efficient and consistent AI delivery.
• Turn ideas into value: Create scalable approaches to experimentation, innovation and AI product development, helping promising ideas progress into sustainable services.
• Embed adoption: Work across the organisation to integrate AI into business processes and services, supporting colleagues through transformational change.
• Influence and connect: Build trusted relationships across executive, business and technical teams, translating complex concepts into clear, practical choices.
• Measure impact: Define meaningful measures and KPIs for capability maturity, adoption, performance and value realisation.
• Guide decisions: Provide informed direction on data architecture, technology choices and operating models so that investment produces measurable outcomes.

What we’re looking for:

We’re looking for someone who can combine strategic thinking, credible technical knowledge and inclusive leadership. You may have gained your experience through different routes; what matters most is your ability to demonstrate the following:

• Experience shaping or delivering data, analytics or AI strategy and transformation.
• Strong understanding of data architecture, data platforms and AI solutions.
• Experience developing AI capabilities and working with a major cloud platform such as Azure, AWS or Google Cloud.
• Practical knowledge of AI governance, standards and guardrails, with an understanding of responsible adoption.
• Evidence of aligning technology initiatives with business priorities and measurable outcomes.
• Confidence communicating technical ideas in clear, accessible language for a range of audiences.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, including working across matrix organisations without relying on direct authority.
• Experience defining KPIs and measuring adoption, performance, benefits and value realisation.
• An approach that encourages collaboration, curiosity, learning and sustainable change.

Helpful, but not essential

Formal study in data, computer science, mathematics or a related subject may be useful, but we also welcome equivalent professional experience and non-traditional career paths.

The impact you’ll make

Your work will help create an AI-enabled culture in which investment is purposeful, colleagues are confident using new capabilities, and benefits are visible. Success will include stronger alignment between AI and business objectives, demonstrable improvements in capability and adoption, and initiatives that contribute to operational efficiency, service quality or financial performance.

What you can look forward to

A place to belong with an award-winning employer that values inclusion and wellbeing:

• Flexible working– a hybrid approach with at least 8 days per month in the office.
• Collaborative culture– an encouraging environment where your ideas can make a real impact.
• Great benefits– supporting your physical, mental and financial wellbeing.

If you’re looking for a place where you can grow, feel supported and make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications