Head of Data, AI Strategy & Capability

Manchester Digital; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

AXA UK is seeking a strategic leader to define and implement the Data and AI strategy, embedding AI into business processes to enhance products, services and efficiency. The role will establish and sustain the Data and AI Academy to develop internal capabilities and promote collaboration across units.

You will act as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, manage external partnerships, and build a high-performing team of AI and Data specialists to support AXA UK’s data-driven future.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in developing, deploying and managing AI solutions.
• Strong experience defining data and AI strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Excellent stakeholder management across senior leadership and diverse teams.
• Demonstrated success in leading organisational change, promoting data literacy and a data-driven culture.
• Extensive experience in digital and data environments with cross-functional/matrix teams.
• Ability to communicate complex topics clearly to different audiences.
• Experience managing external partners, vendors, or third-party suppliers.
• Strong leadership in building high-performing AI and Data teams.

Responsibilities

• Define and communicate the UK Data and AI strategy, roadmap, and vision to deliver measurable value and support business transformation through to 2029.
• Create a Data and AI Academy in partnership with the People team to educate all business segments on the value of data.
• Enhance SME data capability across the Data community and support Guilds and communities of practice.
• Foster a data-driven and AI innovative culture, promote data literacy and ethical AI practices.
• Identify, develop, and embed AI opportunities to enhance products, services and operations.
• Drive the Data and AI Academy and internal capability building across the organisation.
• Act as trusted advisor to executive leadership and manage stakeholder engagement and external partnerships.
• Drive AI adoption in business processes and measure impact with KPIs.
• Develop technology blueprints and roadmaps to support AI delivery at scale.
• Cultivate a high-performing AI and Data team through ongoing learning and collaboration.

Skills

AI strategy

Stakeholder management

Change management

Data literacy

External partnerships

Leadership

Job description

We’re seeking a strategic leader to drive AXA UK’s Data and AI vision, transforming how we utilise data and artificial intelligence to create value. You’ll define and implement the strategy, foster a data-driven and AI innovative culture, and lead initiatives to embed AI into business processes to enhance products, services, and operational efficiency. In this role, you’ll shape and sustain the Data and AI Academy proposition to develop internal capabilities, promote collaboration across business units, and engage stakeholders at all levels. You’ll act as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, manage relationships with external partners, and cultivate a high-performing team of AI and Data specialists to support AXA UK’s data-driven future.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and communicate the UK Data and AI strategy, roadmap, and vision to deliver measurable value and support business transformation through to 2029.
• You will work in partnership with the UK People team to create a Data and AI Academy that educates all segments of the business on the commercial value of data.
• You will be responsible for enhancing and building SME data capability across all the Data community, identifying gaps, acting to resolve these and provide support for the establishment of Guilds/Chapters and communities of practice.
• Foster a data-driven and AI innovative culture, promote data literacy, innovation, and ethical AI practices across the organisation.
• Identify, develop, and embed AI opportunities to enhance products, services, and operational efficiency.
• Drive the creation and ongoing development of the Data and AI Academy to build internal capabilities and promote collaboration.
• Act as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, managing stakeholder engagement, and external partnerships.
• Drive the adoption of AI solutions into business processes, supporting change management and measuring impact through KPIs.
• Develop and maintain technology blueprints, enablers, and roadmaps to support AI delivery at scale.
• Cultivate a high-performing AI and Data team, fostering continuous learning and cross-functional collaboration.

Work Arrangements

At AXA we work smart, empowering our people to balance their time between home and the office in a way that works best for them, their team and our customers. You'll work at least two days a week (40%) away from home, moving to three days a week (60%) from December 2026. Away from home means attending the office, visiting clients or attending industry events. We’re also happy to consider flexible working arrangements, which you can discuss with Talent Acquisition.

Your Skills & Experience

• Proven track record in developing, deploying and managing innovative AI solutions within complex matrix organisations.
• Strong experience in defining and executing data and AI strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to operate effectively across senior leadership and diverse teams.
• Demonstrated success in leading organisational change, promoting data literacy and fostering a data-driven culture.
• Extensive experience working within digital and data environments, with cross-functional and matrix management expertise.
• Ability to communicate complex topics clearly and compellingly, tailoring messaging for different audiences.
• Experience managing external partners, vendors, or third-party suppliers to deliver value.
• Strong leadership skills in building and developing high-performing teams of AI and Data specialists.

We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer and don’t discriminate against employees or potential employees based on protected characteristics.

As a precondition of employment for this role, you must be eligible and authorised to work in the United Kingdom.