AI Centre of Excellence Lead

Hybrid - Remote + regular NW England visits. Looking for someone based in the NE or NW of England £70,000-£90,000 base + 25 days holiday, 7% Pension. 5% pension. AI Centre of Excellence Lead * Most organisations are still defining their AI strategy or running isolated pilots. This role sits at the point where strategy gives way to execution. * The focus is on establishing an AI Centre of Excellence, creating the governance framework, identifying and prioritising use cases, and building a structured approach to AI adoption within a regulated financial services environment. * This is not a role for a deep technical AI specialist. It's suited to someone who understands how AI can be applied in practice, can influence senior stakeholders, and can turn ambition into measurable business outcomes. * What differentiates this opportunity is its scope. The successful individual will help shape the end-to-end AI journey, from governance and operating model design through to implementation, adoption and value realisation. * Few people can point to having built an AI capability from the ground up within a regulated business. Over time, this role will provide the opportunity to establish the governance, prioritise the use cases, drive adoption and help embed AI into both the operating model and wider technology agenda. Ideal Background You may have led a Centre of Excellence, transformation office, automation function, digital programme, SaaS capability or operational excellence team. The common theme is an ability to drive change, influence stakeholders and apply emerging technologies to deliver business value with a focus on AI Must haves * Strong Financial Services knowledge * Strong AI operating model and governance framework knowledge * Live in the NW or NE of England. The normal office hours for this client are mainly remote with two days per month mandated in the office. However, for the first six months, the client is looking for someone that can be in the office more than not. Hence the necessity for someone that is based in the Northeast and Northwest for easier commute. Key Responsibilities * Establish and lead the AI Centre of Excellence * Develop the AI operating model and governance framework * Identify, prioritise and deliver AI use cases * Partner with business leaders to drive measurable outcomes * Build organisation-wide AI capability and awareness * Ensure responsible AI adoption, risk management and regulatory compliance * Shape the future technology and transformation agenda through practical AI adoption