Head of Analytics and AI

Royal London Mutual Insurance Society; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance firm in the UK seeks a Head of Analytics and AI to lead their team and drive innovation in data science and AI. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in AI leadership, a strong background in cloud technologies, and successful stakeholder engagement. This hybrid role offers competitive benefits including 28 days annual leave and an employer-matching pension scheme.

Benefits

28 days annual leave

Up to 14% employer matching pension scheme

Private medical insurance

Qualifications

• Proven AI and analytics leader with deep technical expertise and delivery instincts.
• Experience in budget ownership of £4m+.
• Strong background in cloud-based data and analytics technology.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Analytics & AI team and develop capabilities.
• Engage senior leaders and represent the Group in external forums.
• Drive innovation and embed best practices in data science.

Skills

Leadership

AI expertise

Analytics

Machine learning

Stakeholder engagement

Data strategy

Education

Relevant Master's degree

Tools

Microsoft Azure

Databricks

Generative AI tools

Job description

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Job Title: Head of Analytics and AI

Contract Type: Permanent

Location: Edinburgh or Glasgow or Alderley Park

Working style: Hybrid 50% home/office based

Overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of AI & Analytics to join our Group Data & AI Office Team at Royal London. The role holder will be responsible for leading the Analytics & AI team, and ownership of developing the Analytics/Data Science/AI capability within the Data and AI Solutions function and for the Group. You will play a key role as an internal expert in Analytics and AI, including Generative and Agentic AI. You will also play a lead role in the Analytics and AI agenda across the Group to achieve the Data and AI-led strategic shift. Champions the opportunities around the use of Analytics and AI in Royal London and works with the Senior Leadership Team to drive forward the capability across Royal London. This is a unique opportunity to join a strong and growing team in one of the Group's most influential roles.

Ready to Shape the Future of AI & Analytics?

We're on the hunt for a bold, visionary leader to drive our Analytics & AI capability across the Group.

What You'll Do

• Inspire & Lead: Rally a top-tier team of data scientists, analysts, and engineers to deliver game-changing solutions.
• Drive Innovation: Embed best-in-class practices in data science, machine learning, and next-gen AI (Generative & Agentic).
• Unlock Value: Spot opportunities to fuel smarter decisions, automation, and insight at scale.
• Deliver Impact: Take ideas from whiteboard to widespread adoption-winning hearts, minds, and measurable results.
• Operationalise Success: Partner with delivery teams to embed AI into the fabric of the business.
• Influence at the Top: Engage senior leaders and represent the Group in external forums and regulatory circles.
• Stay Ahead: Forge strategic alliances with vendors, consultancies, and academia to keep us on the cutting edge.
• Champion Change: Accelerate AI adoption and uplift capability across the Group.
• Lead the Charge: Shape governance and steer our AI & Analytics Community of Practice.

About You

You're a proven AI and analytics leader-likely from a large, regulated enterprise-who blends deep technical expertise with sharp delivery instincts. You set the gold standard for safe, scalable AI.

Generative AI & Modern Data Platforms

• Enterprise-grade RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation)-ideally on Azure.
• Agentic AI and M365 Copilot extensibility.
• Gen AI model strategy, adaptation, and LLMOps.
• AI safety, governance, and compliance-especially on Azure.

Machine Learning at Scale

• Applied ML: time-series forecasting, tabular ensembles, NLP, recommendation/propensity models.
• MLOps: automated pipelines, registries, scoring, monitoring, and safe rollbacks.
• Responsible ML: bias/fairness testing, explainability, PII controls, human-in-the-loop, EU AI Act readiness.
• Experimentation: rigorous testing, telemetry, and business impact tracking.

Leadership & Strategy

• Budget ownership of £4m+
• Deep understanding of AI regulation (e.g. EU AI Act)
• Proven success leading cross-functional teams
• Skilled in senior stakeholder and board-level engagement
• Strong background in cloud-based data and analytics tech-especially Microsoft Azure and Databricks

If you think you would be a great fit for our team at Royal London but don't meet all the requirements of the role, please get in touch as your application will still be considered.

About Royal London

We're the UK's largest mutual life, pensions and investment company, offering protection, long-term savings and asset management products and services.

Our People Promise to our colleagues is that we will all work somewhere inclusive, responsible, enjoyable and fulfilling. This is underpinned by our Spirit of Royal London values; Empowered, Trustworthy, Collaborate, Achieve.

We've always been proud to reward employees by offering great workplace benefits such as 28 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays, an up to 14% employer matching pension scheme and private medical insurance. You can see all our benefits here - Our Benefits

Inclusion, diversity and belonging

We're an Inclusive employer. We celebrate and value different backgrounds and cultures across Royal London. Our diverse people and perspectives give us a range of skills which are recognised and respected - whatever their background.