Head of Applied AI

AI is already changing how our teams work, and now we want to bring it together into one clear plan. Blue Light Card is moving from individual AI ideas to a single, sequenced programme of work, built in-house on Claude and committed to from the very top. You won't need to sell the idea here, you'll be helping us deliver it.

As our Head of Applied AI, you'll be the deep source of AI expertise in the business. Reporting to our Chief Technology Officer, with a close working link to our strategy function, you'll decide which end-to-end processes are redesigned and in what order, and help every department outside our product and technology teams work in a truly AI-native way, building for themselves rather than waiting on others. This is a hands-on role with no direct reports, working together with our AI specialists and champions. You'll shape your own remit, and we will look to you to tell us what this role should look like over its first 12 months. You'll work closely with colleagues from the executive team to the people doing the work each day, with support from our CTO to remove blockers and the space to work in your own way.

What You'll Do

• Define our approach to AI-enabled ways of working, deciding which processes are fully redesigned rather than automated at the edges, and helping departments do the same.
• Lead one sequenced roadmap that brings together use cases from across the business, department initiatives and the work of our AI champions, setting the business case standard for what is tackled first.
• Build AI-native skills within each department, so teams create their own solutions rather than relying on engineers or contractors.
• Give technical direction to new AI initiatives, working with the right people on build-out and delegating delivery to them.
• Own governance and quality across our AI portfolio, so every initiative has a named owner, a clear outcome measure and risk sign-off before it goes for decision.
• Track and improve AI maturity across the business using our existing framework, evolving it where needed and sharing progress with senior stakeholders.
• Own our token management strategy and AI spend, balancing cost against value and usage.
• Track frontier AI developments and turn them into clear decisions about what to build, and what to hold off building.

What You'll Bring

• A deep understanding of AI, including frontier developments, and the ability to explain what it means for a business in plain language.
• An established record of building with AI tools yourself, including hands-on experience working with Claude, creating solutions and solving problems without relying on deep technical knowledge.
• A background leading cross-functional projects and roadmaps through to delivery, and driving adoption and change across a whole organisation.
• Strong judgement on process redesign, with the ability to tell true end-to-end redesign from automation at the margins.
• Experience owning quality and governance across a portfolio of work, not just individual projects.
• Excellent communication skills, with the confidence to influence executives and the warmth to bring teams on the ground with you, and the energy and conviction to drive change and shape an open remit on your own initiative.
• Experience in a high-growth or private equity-backed business, or setting up responsible AI frameworks, would be a bonus, but is not essential.

Our Culture

Our mission is simple: make heroes happy. Our members are real-life heroes who keep us all safe, cared for, and thriving. It's what gets us up in the morning, what makes us want to think bigger, and create something that truly matters. By focusing on their happiness, we create amazing experiences, deliver unrivalled discounts, innovative products, and world-class service. We don't just follow the usual path - we look for smarter, bolder ways to deliver real impact. We take ownership, move fast, and work shoulder to shoulder to build something special. We promote hybrid working, and value in-person collaboration so encourage time in our offices – either the HQ in Leicestershire, or London, Holborn office. The frequency and office location will vary depending on the role and team. We aim to be flexible, but we aren't able to offer fully remote working. Blue Light Card is an equal opportunities employer. We're committed to building a diverse and inclusive team where different perspectives and experiences help us grow, innovate, and better reflect the communities we serve. We make recruiting decisions based on your experience and skills. In the event of a high number of applications, we'll prioritise candidates who meet both the essential and desirable criteria for the role.

What We Offer

• 25 days annual leave plus public holidays and an additional day off for your birthday.
• A Moments that Matter day – one extra day of leave each year to use for something that matters to you.
• Buy and sell holiday scheme of up to 5 days.
• A volunteering/fundraising day – one paid day each year to give something back to the community.
• Annual company bonus scheme – linked to both company and individual performance.
• Your own Blue Light Card and exclusive access to thousands of discounts.
• Personal growth fund of £450 per year to invest in your development.
• Private Medical Insurance that includes cover for pre-existing conditions.
• Auto-enrolment pension scheme via salary sacrifice, with 100% of employer NI savings reinvested into your pension.
• Enhanced Maternity, Partner, Adoption and Shared Parental Leave.
• Healthcare cash-back plan.
• Colleague Assistance Programme – 24/7 confidential support whenever you need it.
• Hybrid working and flexible hours.
• EV charging and free parking onsite at HQ.
• Relaxed dress code and modern office space (games area, chill-out areas, book club, free drinks and well stocked snack drawers!).
• On-site gym including free HIIT and stretch classes at HQ.