Head of Data and Artificial Intelligence - NW Based

Job Purpose

Responsible for leading the delivery and development of AFG’s Data & AI capability, implementing the organisation’s data strategy and transitioning from fragmented, report-led management information (MI) practices to a structured, governed, and scalable data platform, reducing reliance on third-party delivery partners over time.

The role combines strategic contribution with hands-on leadership of delivery, capability build, and operational control. Operating within a developing function, the postholder will contribute directly to data platform delivery where required, while establishing standards, governance, and sustainable internal capability.

The role is accountable for building a unified, controlled approach to data across the organisation, ensuring data is a trusted, auditable, and consistently structured asset that underpins operational decision-making and AI capability.

Dimensions

• 3 direct reports
• Responsible for the operational Data & AI budget
• Contributes to reducing long-term supplier dependency through development of internal capability

Principal Accountabilities

• Leads delivery of a modern data platform (Microsoft Fabric / lake-based architecture)
• Works alongside third-party delivery partners for platform implementation and capability transfer
• Owns data readiness, governance, and assurance required to enable AI capability across the organisation
• Owns AI governance frameworks and controls, ensuring all AI solutions delivered by Business Applications and third parties are secure, compliant, auditable, and aligned to data platform principles
• Contributes to reducing long-term supplier dependency through development of internal capability

  Data Strategy Delivery & Leadership

• Leads the development and execution of AFG’s Data & AI strategy, working with the Director of IT and wider leadership team
• Establishes a structured, scalable Data & AI function with defined roles, standards, and operating model
• Provides clear accountability for data delivery across the organisation

  Data Platform & Architecture

• Leads delivery of a modern data platform, ensuring alignment to organisational requirements and architecture principles
• Contributes directly to data engineering and platform activity where required, particularly in early-stage capability build
• Ensures development of scalable data pipelines, structured data models, and reusable datasets
• Provides technical oversight and challenge to partner-led delivery, ensuring solutions are aligned to standards and long-term ownership

  Financial & Commercial Management

• Holds responsibility for the operational Data & AI budget, including data platform licensing, tooling, training and third-party specialist expenditure.
• Manages a delegated budget of at least £15,000 per annum, ensuring expenditure supports agreed strategic and operational priorities.
• Provides financial oversight of Data & AI supplier contracts, ensuring value for money, budget compliance and effective utilisation of resources.
• Contributes to annual budget planning, forecasting and investment proposals relating to Data & AI capability.

  Data Operating Model & Functional Leadership

• Defines and implements AFG’s data operating model, transitioning from decentralised reporting practices to a structured, platform-enabled approach
• Provides direct line management and leadership for reporting and data practitioners across business functions
• Establishes consistent standards for data extraction, transformation, modelling, and publication
• Leads the transition of locally developed reporting processes into governed, reusable data assets
• Reduces duplication, inefficiency, and inconsistency across distributed data activities

  Data Engineering & BI Delivery

• Oversees and actively hands-on in the delivery of data engineering and BI outputs, ensuring alignment to defined standards and organisational priorities
• Ensures development of robust data pipelines, structured data models, and reusable datasets
• Balances short-term reporting needs with long-term platform maturity
• Ensures effective integration between data engineering and reporting capabilities

  Data Governance, Quality & Control

• Establishes and operates data governance frameworks including data quality, lineage, ownership, and access control
• Ensures data solutions are auditable, traceable, and aligned to regulatory requirements
• Embeds consistent governance and control across both central and federated data activities

  AI & Data-Driven Capability Enablement

• Owns data readiness, governance, and assurance required to enable AI capability across the organisation
• Owns AI governance frameworks and controls, ensuring all AI solutions are underpinned by trusted data, clear lineage, and appropriate risk management
• Works with Applications teams to support AI-enabled solutions through structured, governed data foundations

  Supplier & Partner Management

• Leads engagement with third-party data and platform delivery partners
• Drives knowledge transfer into internal teams to build sustainable capability
• Supports a transition from partner-led delivery to internally owned capability over time

  Cross-Organisation Working

• Works with stakeholders across HR, Operations, Finance and IT to align local data practices to enterprise standards
• Works closely with Business Systems to support the delivery of AI-enabled solutions, ensuring clear separation between solution delivery and data capability ownership
• Drives adoption of data standards, governance frameworks, and platform usage across the organisation
• Ensures data supports operational decision-making, performance management, and regulatory reporting
• Contributes to executive insight and organisational performance reporting

Skills & Knowledge

• Strong practical understanding of modern data platforms (e.g. Microsoft Fabric, Azure data services, Databricks or equivalent), including data ingestion, transformation, and modelling
• Ability to contribute directly to data engineering and platform delivery where required, particularly within a small team or early-stage function
• Strong understanding of data governance principles including data quality, lineage, ownership, and auditability
• Ability to define and enforce data standards and operating models across multiple teams
• Understanding of how structured data platforms underpin reporting, analytics, and AI capability
• Ability to bridge technical delivery and leadership, translating architecture into practical implementation
• Ability to operate effectively in controlled environments with regulatory, audit, and risk considerations
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