Principal Data & AI Delivery Lead - GCS

AXA UK; London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

AXA UK is seeking a Principal Data & AI Delivery Lead in London to oversee data initiatives and drive innovation within the new GCS Data and AI Team. This role requires strong leadership to manage stakeholders, facilitate scrum ceremonies, and ensure effective delivery of data solutions that align with business objectives. The successful candidate will have demonstrable experience in the field, ideally within regulated domains, and possess Agile certifications.

Benefits

Bonus opportunity of 10% of annual salary

Generous pension scheme with up to 14% contribution

29 days holiday plus bank holidays

Retailer discounts up to 40%

Free Aviva shares through Matching Share Plan

Flexible benefits options

Paid volunteering days

Comprehensive wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Experience in data-focused projects, as either Product Owner or Portfolio Lead.
• Certifications in Agile methodologies are highly desirable.
• Technical proficiency in data engineering and analytics.

Responsibilities

• Define and communicate product vision and strategy for data initiatives.
• Manage the product backlog and facilitate Scrum events.
• Collaborate with stakeholders for clear communication of expectations.

Skills

Stakeholder Management

Cross-functional Leadership

Analytical Thinking

Problem-Solving

Education

Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)

SAFe Product Owner/Product Manager (POPM)

Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO)

Tools

SQL

Python

Cloud-based Data Platforms

Data Visualization Tools

Job description

Principal Data & AI Delivery Lead - GCS National - £70,000 - £90,000 London - £90,000 - £110,000 ( (depending on location, skills, experience, and qualifications)

The insurance industry is evolving in an age of rapid technological development, and as an organisation Aviva are investing in strengthening data & AI as a distinctive capability. With Aviva’s return Lloyd’s specialist insurance market, we have ambitious plans to grow GCS and provide expert support for our customers in an ever-changing world.

Are you excited by innovation and keen to deliver meaningful change? Would you like the chance to help shape a new team, working together to uncover opportunity and solve real business problems in an exciting and growing area.

If yes, then you may be the perfect fit for this opportunity as Delivery Lead within Aviva’s new Global Corporate & Specialty (GCS) Data and AI Team. You will have the opportunity to shape and influence the direction of this brand-new team. We will drive cutting-edge data capabilities to improve decision-making, operational efficiency, and stakeholder outcomes.

A bit about the job:

The GCS Data & AI team aims to transform our business by using data to achieve tangible outcomes. Through strong internal and external stakeholder partnerships, we will enable a market leading data-driven organisation that empowers our expert colleagues.

As the ideal candidate you’ll have experience of working with stakeholders and cross-functional teams to identify and seize opportunities and solve real-world problems. You’ll play a key part in shaping the future of GCS, delivering successful, productionised solutions.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Delivery Lead to oversee our portfolio of initiatives. This role is critical in shaping the data strategy, ensuring that our delivery is well-structured, effectively executed, and aligned with our broader objectives.

Experience with Lloyd's and the London Market would be beneficial but is not mandatory.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Product Vision & Strategy – Define and communicate a clear vision for data initiatives within the team, ensuring alignment with business goals and customer needs.
• Backlog Management – Develop, prioritise, and maintain the product backlog to reflect strategic direction and maximise value delivery.
• Sprint Planning & Execution – Lead sprint planning sessions, set clear objectives, and ensure the development team understands key deliverables.
• Facilitation of Scrum Events – Organise and facilitate Scrum ceremonies, including daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Stakeholder Collaboration – Act as the primary liaison between business stakeholders, data specialists, and the team, ensuring clear communication and expectation management.
• Risk & Issue Management – Identify and proactively address potential risks and blockers to maintain momentum and ensure timely delivery.
• Performance Monitoring & Reporting – Leverage data analytics to monitor team performance, product quality, and project progress, driving continuous enhancements.

Skills and experience we’re looking for:

• Experience – Demonstrable experience as either a Product Owner or Portfolio Lead, ideally within data-focused projects. Experience in AI, data engineering, or analytics within a regulated domain is a plus.
• Certifications – Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), SAFe Product Owner/Product Manager (POPM), Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO) or similar qualifications are highly desirable.
• Technical Proficiency – Strong understanding of data engineering and analytics, with familiarity in tools such as SQL, Python, cloud-based data platforms, and data visualisation tools.
• Leadership & Collaboration – Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, in a data-centric environment, with excellent facilitation and conflict-resolution skills.
• Problem-Solving & Analytical Thinking – Ability to use data to inform decision-making and drive success.

What you’ll get for this role:

Our purpose - with you today, for a better tomorrow – is a promise we make to our colleagues too. And one of the ways we live up to that promise is by investing in you. We have so much to offer when it comes to being an Aviva colleague.

• National Salary£70,000 - £90,000.London Salary£90,000 - £110,000. (depending on location, skills, experience, and qualifications)
• Bonus opportunity 10% of annual salary Actual amount depends on your performance and Aviva’s!
• Generouspensionscheme - Aviva will contribute up to 14%, depending on what you put in!
• 29 daysholidayplus bank holidays, and you can choose to buy or sell up to 5 days
• Make your money go further - Up to 40%discount on Aviva products, and other retailer discounts
• Up to £1,200 of free Aviva shares per year through ourMatching Share Planand share in the success of Aviva with ourSave As You Earnscheme
• Brilliantlysupportive policiesincluding parental and carer’s leave
• Flexible benefitsto suit you, includingsustainability optionssuch as cycle to work
• Make a difference, be part of ourAviva Communitiesand use your 3paid volunteering days to help others
• We take yourwellbeingseriously with lots of support and tools

Take a lookto learn more. Put a salary into this calculator to see what your total Aviva Reward could be.

Aviva is for everyone:

We’re inclusive andwelcome everyone– we want applications from all backgrounds and experiences. Excited but not sure you tick every box? Even if you don’t, we would still encourage you to apply. We also consider all forms of flexible working, including part time and job shares.

We flex locations, hours and working patterns to suit our customers, business, and you. Most of our people are smart working – spending around 50% of their time in our offices every week - combining the benefits of flexibility, with time together with colleagues.

To find out more about working at Aviva take a lookhere

We interview every disabled applicant who meets the minimum criteria for the job. Once you’ve applied, please send us an email stating that you have a disclosed disability, and we’ll interview you.

We’d love it if you could submit your application online. If you require an alternative method of applying, please give Martyn Biddulph a call on 07826 556 965 or send an email to [e-mail].