Head of Data, Automation & AI

Knovia; Bristol; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading apprenticeship provider in the UK is seeking a Head of Data, Automation & AI to modernize data infrastructure and embed AI in operations. The role includes leading a high-impact team, enhancing analytics, and ensuring an inclusive approach in education and employment. Candidates should have a degree in a related field, strong experience in data strategies, and leadership in AI initiatives. Competitive benefits include generous leave and volunteering opportunities.

Benefits

Generous Annual Leave

Holiday Benefits

Extra Day Off for Birthday

Paid Volunteering Leave

Perkbox access

Qualifications

• Proven experience in data platform strategy, AI/ML enablement, or data transformation at scale.
• Strong CPD record keeping abreast of latest in data architecture, governance, and advanced analytics.
• Experience in a senior data, AI, or digital transformation leadership role.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of a modern data platform.
• Automate and integrate end‑to‑end business processes.
• Enhance analytics capabilities to serve our customers better.

Skills

Data platform strategy

AI/ML enablement

Data transformation at scale

Cloud data platforms knowledge

Automation skills

Education

Degree in computer science or related field

Tools

Snowflake

Databricks

MLflow

Airflow

Workato

Job description

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Company Description

Knovia Group, the UK's leading apprenticeship provider, is on a bold mission to ensure AI leaves no one behind - empowering learners, employers, and society to thrive in an inclusive, AI-enabled future.

Position

We're creating a brand-new leadership role to spearhead our transformation. As Head of Data, Automation & AI, you'll build and lead a high-impact team to modernise our data infrastructure, automate business processes, and embed AI into the heart of our learning experience and operations.

Responsibilities

This is a hands‑on, strategic role where you'll:

• Lead the development of a modern data platform (data lake, warehouse, pipelines, BI suite)
• Automate and integrate end‑to‑end business processes using tools like Workato
• Develop and deploy AI agents to enhance operational efficiency and learner/employer experiences
• Enhance our analytics capabilities to better understand and serve our customers
• Shape our internal AI capability – from staff skills to leadership development

You’ll be instrumental in redefining our value proposition in an AI world, helping us deliver smarter, more connected, and future‑ready services.

If you’re passionate about using data and AI as a force for good, and ready to lead meaningful change in education and employment, we’d love to hear from you.

Requirements

What we need from you:

• Degree in computer science, data science, engineering, a related field or equivalent professional training/qualifications.
• Strong CPD record keeping abreast of latest in data architecture, governance, cloud data platforms, advanced analytics, connected systems, and development of AI agents.
• Proven experience in data platform strategy, AI/ML enablement, or data transformation at scale.
• Experience in a senior data, AI, or digital transformation leadership role.
• Track record of delivering enterprise‑scale data infrastructure and AI/automation initiatives.
• Strong understanding of data architecture, governance, and cloud data platforms (e.g., Snowflake, Databricks, AWS/GCP, MS Fabric).
• Deep expertise in cloud‑based data architectures (e.g., AWS, Azure, or GCP), data engineering, and MLOps.
• Familiarity with tools like Databricks, Snowflake, MLflow, Airflow, dbt, and LLM technologies would be advantageous.
• Experience working in a learning organisation would be beneficial.
• Previous knowledge exposure to AI ethics, regulatory compliance, and responsible AI practices.
• Deep experience with platforms like Snowflake, Databricks, AWS/GCP/Azure, and Microsoft Fabric.
• Experience leading teams in building scalable data ETL/ELT pipelines and modern data engineering practices.
• Strong grasp of dimensional modelling, data lakes, lakehouses, and real‑time streaming architectures.
• Familiarity with other automation tools (e.g., Workato, Zapier, Power Automate) for comparison and integration.
• Ability to map and optimise business processes for automation, including RPA and rule‑based systems.
• Skills in NLP, recommendation systems, forecasting models, and generative AI.

Other information

We have a number of benefits available and all colleagues benefit from our standard benefits including;

Benefits

• Generous Annual Leave – 21 days, increasing with length of service, plus a holiday purchase scheme.
• Holiday Benefits – 3 Knovia Days for our operational December closure and 8 Public Bank Holidays.
• Extra Day Off – an additional day off to celebrate your birthday.
• Paid Volunteering Leave – up to 3 days of paid leave for volunteering opportunities and corporate conscience initiatives.
• Perkbox – access to a wide range of lifestyle benefits and wellness tools.
• Recognition and Long Service Awards – celebrating the milestones and contributions of our colleagues.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and have a guaranteed interview scheme in place to ensure that nobody is overlooked or discriminated against because of their disability. If you meet the minimum criteria when you apply and you have informed us in your application that you have a disability, you will be guaranteed an interview for that role.

To promote and maintain an inclusive working environment, as part of your application process we will ask you to share data on certain characteristics. These answers will not form part of the selection and recruitment process and will not be shared with anyone outside of the People Team.

Knovia is committed to the safeguarding and wellbeing of our learners and colleagues and we implement robust safer recruitment practices to support this. Dependant on the role you are applying for, we may undertake a number of necessary checks to confirm you are suitable to work with children and vulnerable adults, which may include a Disclosure and Barring Service check. We are also committed to promoting equality and inclusion throughout our colleague and learner populations.

All colleagues must adhere to our internal information security, data protection policies alongside all other policies and procedures.