Director of Data and AI – Basingstoke

Castle Trust Group; Basingstoke; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual performance bonus up to 25%

Generous contributory pension

Life Assurance

28 days' holiday + buy/sell option

Volunteer day

Private healthcare

Gym discounts

Season ticket travel loans

Inclusive, high-impact culture

Job summary

Castle Trust Bank is seeking a Director of Data & AI to define and deliver the Bank's data and AI strategy, turning data into a trusted business asset while enabling responsible AI adoption. The role is based in Basingstoke with hybrid flexibility (3 days in office, 2 at home) and travel to London.

Reporting to CTOO, you will lead data and AI governance, platform development and analytics, partnering with executives to drive growth, innovation and better customer outcomes.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in Data, Analytics or AI within financial services or regulated environments.
• Proven record delivering data strategy and data platform modernization.
• Strong understanding of data and AI governance and regulatory expectations.
• Ability to translate technical capability into clear commercial outcomes.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills at Executive/Board level.
• Experience building and developing high-performing data teams.

Responsibilities

• Define and deliver the Bank's Data & AI strategy aligned to business growth plans.
• Lead the development of data platforms, architecture, governance and analytics capabilities.
• Drive the adoption of AI across the organisation, delivering measurable business value.
• Establish robust governance to ensure data and AI are used responsibly in a regulated environment.
• Provide strategic insight and management information to support decision-making.
• Lead and develop a high-performing data function across data engineering, governance, BI and analytics.

Skills

Leadership in data/AI

Data strategy

Governance

Commercial impact

Stakeholder mgmt

Team leadership

Job description

"Transform data into commercial value and shape the future of AI at Castle Trust Bank."

At Castle Trust Bank, we pride ourselves on being a fintech challenger bank, providing specialist property mortgages, retail finance lending and savings accounts to a wide range of customers.

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Director of Data & AI to define and deliver the Bank's data and AI strategy, helping turn data into a trusted business asset while enabling the responsible adoption of AI across the organisation.

This role is based in Basingstoke, with some travel to London, on a hybrid basis with 3 days in the office and 2 days at home.

The role and what you'll lead and deliver

Reporting to the Chief Technology & Operations Officer, you will lead the Bank's data and AI agenda, working closely with Executive and Board stakeholders to support growth, innovation and better customer outcomes.

Data & AI Leadership

• Define and deliver the Bank's Data & AI strategy aligned to business growth plans.
• Lead the development of data platforms, architecture, governance and analytics capabilities.
• Drive the adoption of AI across the organisation, delivering measurable business value.
• Establish robust governance to ensure data and AI are used responsibly within a regulated environment.
• Provide strategic insight and management information to support decision‑making across the Bank.
• Lead and develop a high‑performing data function, spanning data engineering, governance, business intelligence and analytics.

What you’ll bring

Essential

• Significant leadership experience in Data, Analytics or AI within financial services or a similarly regulated environment.
• Proven experience delivering data strategy, data platform modernisation and analytics capabilities.
• Strong understanding of data governance, AI governance and regulatory expectations.
• Ability to translate technical capability into clear commercial outcomes.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills at Executive and Board level.
• Strong leadership capability with experience building and developing teams.

Why join Castle Trust Bank?

As well as taking on a high-profile leadership role, you'll have the opportunity to shape how data and AI support the Bank's future growth, influence strategic investment decisions and play a key role in our ongoing technology transformation.

In addition, you will receive:

• Competitive salary
• Annual performance bonus (up to 25% of base salary, based on individual and company performance)
• Generous contributory pension through Hargreaves Lansdown
• Life Assurance
• 28 days' holiday + option to buy/sell (up to maximum of 30 days' per year)
• Additional paid volunteering day
• Private healthcare through BUPA
• Free access to BHSF Rise EAP to support colleague health and wellbeing
• Gym discounts
• Season ticket travel loans (if applicable)
• A supportive, inclusive culture where your work has real impact

Caught your attention?

If so, we'd love to talk to you and tell you more about what it's like to work at Castle Trust Bank - The Place To Work!