Head of Data and AI Governance in Guildford

You will lead Data & AI Governance across Allianz UK, shaping how data is managed, protected and leveraged as a strategic asset. This is a high-impact leadership role where you will influence enterprise-wide data maturity, regulatory compliance, and responsible AI adoption.

Location: This role can be based in London, Guildford or Bournemouth, with an expectation to attend the office 50% of the time.

Salary Information: Pay is based on experience, skills and location and forms part of a competitive total rewards package.

About You:

• You own and continuously evolve the Data & AI Governance framework, ensuring it is pragmatic, compliant and business-enabling.
• Lead the rollout of AI governance aligned to Group standards and UK regulatory expectations.
• Chair Data & AI governance forums, driving senior stakeholder accountability and decision-making.
• Implement data policies, standards and procedures across the organisation.
• Drive data quality improvement, partnering with data owners and stewards to identify and resolve issues.
• Own data catalogue and metadata management, ensuring data is discoverable, trusted and well-documented.
• Collaborate across business and technology teams to deliver strong customer and business outcomes.
• Engage with Risk and Audit teams, ensuring governance standards are upheld.
• Act as the key liaison with Allianz Group on data and AI maturity metrics and reporting.
• Ensure governance frameworks are supported by appropriate tools and technologies.
• Lead and develop the Information Rights function, managing complex data protection queries and investigations.
• Oversee SARs, data breaches and FOI requests, ensuring compliance with regulatory timelines.
• Own data retention and destruction processes and document management policies.
• Lead, coach and develop high-performing teams across Data Governance and Information Rights.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, acting as a trusted advisor on data matters.
• Communicate complex data topics clearly to Executive Committee and Board-level audiences.
• Promote a culture of data responsibility, quality and compliance across the organisation.

Essential Skills:

• Deep expertise in Data Governance frameworks, methodologies and best practice.
• Strong knowledge of UK GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018 and information rights legislation.
• Experience with AI governance and responsible AI frameworks.
• Proven leadership capability with experience developing high-performing teams.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at senior levels.
• Experience working in complex, regulated environments such as financial services or insurance.
• Experience engaging with global or matrix organisations.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear business language.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience implementing data governance tools such as Collibra, Informatica, or Alation.
• Experience across both commercial and personal lines insurance.
• Degree-level qualification (2:1 or above).
• Experience contributing to enterprise data strategy and maturity models.
• Strong understanding of data architecture and supporting technologies.
• Responsible Artificial Intelligence usage.

What We Will Offer You:

• Flexible buy/sell holiday options.
• Hybrid working.
• Annual performance related bonus.
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Development days.
• A discount up to 50% on a range of insurance products including car, home and pet.
• Retail discounts.
• Volunteering days.

Our Ways of Working: Do you need flexibility with the hours you work? Let us know as part of your application and if it’s right for our customers, our business and for you, then we’ll do everything we can to make it happen. Here at Allianz, we are signatories of the ABIs flexible working charter. We believe in supporting hybrid work patterns, which balance the needs of our customers, with your personal circumstances and our business requirements. Our aim with this is to help innovation, creativity, and you to thrive - Your work life balance is important to us.

Integrity, Fairness, Inclusion & Trust: At Allianz, we believe in fostering an inclusive workforce and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Our commitment to equal opportunities, gender equity, and balanced gender representation, is demonstrated by our numerous accreditations: EDGE certified for gender inclusion, Women in Finance Charter members, Disability Confident employer, Stonewall Diversity Champion, Business in the Community’s Race at Work Charter signatories, and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard employer. We embrace neurodiversity and welcome applications from neurodivergent and disabled candidates, offering tailored adjustments to ensure your success. We encourage our employees to advocate for their needs, whether it’s assistive technology, ergonomic equipment, mentoring, coaching, or flexible work arrangements.