Head of AI Architecture

Hastings Direct; Leicester; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

£6k car allowance

Hybrid working

Annual bonus

Private medical insurance

Job summary

Hastings Direct in the UK seeks a Head of AI Architecture to drive enterprise AI strategy, governance and scalable technology choices across Azure, Snowflake and partner AI services.

You will lead architecture across CIO, business, data and technology teams, shaping AI platforms, model lifecycle, security, risk controls and operational excellence to deliver measurable value for customers and colleagues. The role offers a flexible hybrid working pattern and a competitive package.

Qualifications

• Experience defining current and target state, roadmaps and guardrails for AI delivery.
• Strong architecture understanding of AI platforms including Azure and Snowflake.
• Experience in generative AI, automation and agentic AI with governance.
• Ability to collaborate across business, technology, risk and supplier teams.
• Proven change leadership in a large, fast-moving organisation.
• Knowledge of AI governance, privacy, explainability and security.
• Experience building and coaching architecture teams.

Skills

Strategic vision

AI architecture

Azure

Snowflake

AI governance

Cross-functional collaboration

Risk & governance

Model lifecycle management

Tools

APIs

Data pipelines

Orchestration tooling

Observability tools

Job description

Hastings Direct is an agile, data and digitally focused general insurance provider to the UK market, offering a full range of car, van,bikeand home insurance products. Butit'sour attitude and the way we run our business that makes us different.

It'sa dynamic, flexible,funand constantly changing environment, so it takes a certain kind of individual to thrive here - just ask any of our~4700colleagues. Ifyou'reclearly a Hastings Direct person,you'llenjoy the scope to make a real difference for our customers, influence our company,benefitthe communities we work in and have some fun along the way!

About The Role

As a member of the Group Architecture Leadership Team, the role contributes to enterprise-wide architecture strategy, governance, technology investment decisions, talent development and the evolution of architecture practice across Hastings Direct. The Head of AI Architecture is accountable for turning AI ambition into safe, scalable and value-led technology choices that support CIO priorities and deliver measurable value for customers, colleagues and the business. The role provides architecture leadership across CIO, business functions and technology partners, ensuring AI capabilities and solutions are aligned to business priorities and the target architecture, including effective use of Azure, Snowflake, third-party AI and SaaS-based AI capabilities.

About You

• Strategic vision and alignment: Strong track record of defining current state, target state, transition roadmaps, standards, patterns and architecture guardrails that guide AI delivery at scale using Azure, Snowflake, third-party AI and SaaS-based AI capabilities.
• AI solution and platform architecture: Strong understanding of how AI solutions are designed, integrated, monitored and operated across enterprise platforms, including Azure, Snowflake, APIs, data pipelines, orchestration, observability, model lifecycle management and production support.
• Generative AI and automation delivery: Experience shaping architectures for generative AI, automation, agentic AI and AI-assisted capabilities, including retrieval augmented generation, tool use, orchestration, knowledge grounding, guardrails and secure use of third-party AI services.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Ability to build strong partnerships across business, technology, delivery, data, risk, compliance and supplier teams, creating shared accountability and integrated problem-solving.
• Change leadership: Proven ability to lead architecture in a large, complex, fast-moving organisation, balancing business ambition with risk, resilience, cost and long-term technology health.
• Innovation and market awareness: Strong awareness of AI trends, supplier capability, architecture practices and innovation opportunities that can improve business, customer and colleague outcomes.
• Culture and talent development: Experience building, leading, coaching and improving architecture teams, creating clear standards, strong collaboration and a high-performance culture.
• Risk and governance oversight: Strong understanding of AI governance, model risk, privacy, explainability, auditability, human oversight, resilience, security and ethical delivery, with the judgement to apply controls pragmatically.

Regrettably we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role

Benefits

• Competitive salary and £6k car allowance
• Flexible working -we champion a flexible hybrid working approach - please speak to your recruiter to discuss in more detail
• Competitive bonus scheme- all colleagues are eligible for our annual 4Cs performance bonus
• Physical wellbeing - as a Band 5 colleague, Hastings pay for you to receive private medical Insurance (also known as PMI). This gives you flexibility and convenience to see a specialist or consultant and allows you to decide when and where you will be seen
• Financial wellbeing - as well as providing you with 4x your salary with our life assurance cover, income protection at no extra cost, and matched pension contributions up to 10%, we are proud to provide you with an award winning package which includes – discounts, cashback, free independent mortgage advice and free access to financial wellbeing support
• Mental wellbeing programme - we have the thrive mental health app, our colleague assistance programme available 24/7, our own in-house mental health first aiders, support groups and a dedicated team to make sure we are covering your needs
• There's more! - 27 days annual leave + bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell one of your weeks, access to our health care cash back plans, dental plans, discounted health assessments, Cycle to work and tech schemes, discounted and free onsite facilities, social events throughout the year and much more ….

Hastings Group is an equal opportunities employer which means we treat people fairly. We welcome applications from all suitably skilled persons regardless of their gender, age, race, disability, ethnic background, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or marital/family status. Please also note that we have a thorough referencing process, which includes credit and criminal record checks.

At Hastings Direct, we're committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, we encourage you to be open with us. Our recruitment team is here to provide the support you need to ensure a fair and accessible experience for all.

Job Posting End Date

06/09/2026