Group Head of AI

SSE plc; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 101,000 - 151,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Performance bonus

Flexible working

Private healthcare

Pension / saving scheme

Job summary

SSE plc is seeking its first Group Head of AI to establish and lead the enterprise AI capability, shaping how AI is adopted safely, securely and effectively across the organisation. You will drive strategy, platforms, governance and partnerships to scale AI from opportunity to production use.

Reporting across business units, you will build secure, cost-efficient AI platforms, implement lifecycle governance, and guide responsible innovation while collaborating with data, architecture, legal, and

Qualifications

• A relevant degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Engineering, Mathematics or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• Significant senior technology leadership experience in a large, complex and regulated organisation, including building or materially reshaping an AI, software engineering, platform or equivalent enterprise technology function.
• Extensive practical experience designing, engineering, deploying and operating AI-enabled software and platforms in production across cloud and hybrid environments, rather than experience centred primarily on data science, research or prototypes.

Responsibilities

• Own and execute SSE’s group-wide AI strategy, investment roadmap and enterprise operating model, translating business ambition and emerging technology into clear priorities, practical choices and measurable outcomes.
• Establish secure, resilient and cost-effective enterprise AI platforms, reference architectures, engineering standards and reusable services, enabling and supporting Business Unit and Corporate Function teams to build and operate production-grade AI solutions more quickly and consistently.
• Create and operate SSE’s AI control plane, governance and lifecycle framework, with proportionate evaluation, assurance, monitoring and human oversight for models, agents and AI-enabled solutions.
• Provide clear and supportive pathways from use-case discovery and experimentation through to supported production use, leading common enterprise capabilities and cross-SSE solutions while enabling business areas to retain ownership of their products, adoption and realised value.
• Work collaboratively with the Group Head of Data and Group Head of Architecture to connect trusted, permission-aware data and information with enterprise architecture, cloud, cyber, operational technology and resilience direction.
• Shape SSE’s future AI choices across emerging models, agentic systems, infrastructure, compute, sovereignty and resilience, leading responsible innovation, strategic partnerships, research and co-development.
• Build a high-performing multidisciplinary enterprise AI function and profession, developing the skills, inclusive role-based pathways, communities and practical support needed to make safe and effective AI adoption part of how SSE works.

Skills

AI leadership

Enterprise architecture

MLOps

Cloud & hybrid environments

Risk & governance

Stakeholder management

Regulatory compliance

Education

BSc/BA or equivalent in Computer Science, AI, Engineering

Tools

Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP)

MLOps tooling

Data governance tools

Job description

Base Location: You'll be expected to spend 50% of your working week in one of the following locations: Reading, Havant, London, Perth or Glasgow

Salary: £101,000 - £151,400 + car/car allowance + performance-related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.

Working Pattern: Permanent | Full Time | Flexible First options available

The role

SSE is building a future-fit, enterprise-grade technology foundation that supports resilient operations and enables future growth. As SSE’s first Group Head of AI, you will establish and lead the enterprise capability that makes AI a practical part of that foundation, shaping how it is adopted safely, securely and effectively across the organisation. Working collaboratively across SSE, you will bring together strategy, platforms, engineering, controls, innovation and partnerships to move AI from opportunity into supported production use, enabling safer operations, better decisions, improved performance and the capacity to scale and evolve effectively.

You will

• Own and execute SSE’s group-wide AI strategy, investment roadmap and enterprise operating model, translating business ambition and emerging technology into clear priorities, practical choices and measurable outcomes.
• Establish secure, resilient and cost-effective enterprise AI platforms, reference architectures, engineering standards and reusable services, enabling and supporting Business Unit and Corporate Function teams to build and operate production-grade AI solutions more quickly and consistently.
• Create and operate SSE’s AI control plane, governance and lifecycle framework, with proportionate evaluation, assurance, monitoring and human oversight for models, agents and AI-enabled solutions.
• Provide clear and supportive pathways from use-case discovery and experimentation through to supported production use, leading common enterprise capabilities and cross-SSE solutions while enabling business areas to retain ownership of their products, adoption and realised value.
• Work collaboratively with the Group Head of Data and Group Head of Architecture to connect trusted, permission-aware data and information with enterprise architecture, cloud, cyber, operational technology and resilience direction.
• Shape SSE’s future AI choices across emerging models, agentic systems, infrastructure, compute, sovereignty and resilience, leading responsible innovation, strategic partnerships, research and co-development.
• Build a high-performing multidisciplinary enterprise AI function and profession, developing the skills, inclusive role-based pathways, communities and practical support needed to make safe and effective AI adoption part of how SSE works.

You have

• A relevant degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Engineering, Mathematics or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience, supported by continued development in AI and technology leadership.
• Significant senior technology leadership experience in a large, complex and regulated organisation, including building or materially reshaping an AI, software engineering, platform or equivalent enterprise technology function.
• Extensive practical experience designing, engineering, deploying and operating AI-enabled software and platforms in production across cloud and hybrid environments, rather than experience centred primarily on data science, research or prototypes.
• Strong technical command of modern AI application architecture and lifecycle engineering, including generative and agentic AI, retrieval and grounding, integration, human-in-the-loop design, MLOps, LLMOps or AgentOps, observability and operational support.
• Practical experience of responsible AI, evaluation, risk tiering and controls in environments where security, safety, privacy, resilience, auditability and regulatory evidence are material.
• Strong business and commercial judgement, with experience connecting AI investment to measurable outcomes and making informed choices across business cases, sourcing, licensing, FinOps, intellectual property, contracts, liability and strategic partnerships.
• The credibility to advise senior leaders, lead and develop multidisciplinary teams and work collaboratively across Cyber, Data, Architecture, Legal, Risk, Compliance, Procurement and operational functions to turn complex choices into sustained execution.

About SSE

SSE’s purpose is to provide energy needed today while building a better world of energy for tomorrow. We do this by developing, building, operating and investing in electricity infrastructure and businesses needed in the energy transition. Our Transforming for Growth investment plansees us investing £33bn in critical electricity infrastructure across the five years to 2030.

Our IT division powers growth across all SSE business areas by making sure we have the systems, software and security needed to take the lead in a low carbon world. They provide expertise, advice and day-to-day support in emerging technologies, data and analytics, cyber security and more.

Flexible benefits to fit your life

Enjoy discounts on private healthcare and gym memberships. Wellbeing benefits like a free online GP and 24/7 counselling service. Interest-free loans on tech and transport season tickets, or a new bike with our Cycle to Work scheme. As well as generous family entitlements such as maternity and adoption pay, and paternity leave.

Work with an equal opportunity employer

SSE will make any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure that your application and experience with us is positive. Please contact [e-mail] to discuss how we can support you.

We're dedicated to fostering an open and inclusive workplace where people from all backgrounds can thrive. We create equal opportunities for everyone to succeed and especially welcome applications from those who may not be well represented in our workforce or industry.

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