At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI strategy and initiatives to enhance resident services and experiences.
- Company: Join Peabody, a leading housing provider committed to innovation and community.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, flexible benefits, and a strong pension contribution.
- Other info: Inclusive environment where diverse perspectives thrive and make a difference.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI in a purpose-driven organisation focused on real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in AI leadership and a passion for human-centred outcomes.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of AI at one of the UK's largest housing providers. As our new Head of AI, you'll lead the development and delivery of Peabody's AI Strategy, harnessing emerging technologies to create better, more responsive services for residents, enhance colleague experience, and drive innovation across the organisation. We're looking for someone who can turn ambition into action. You'll identify high-value opportunities, build a portfolio of impactful AI initiatives, and work with colleagues across the business to bring solutions from concept to delivery with a clear focus on improving the lives, experiences and outcomes of our residents. This is an exciting role for a strategic and commercially minded leader who is passionate about the practical application of AI and motivated by the opportunity to deliver meaningful, resident-first outcomes at scale.
As Head of AI, you'll provide strategic leadership for AI adoption across Peabody, ensuring opportunities are identified, prioritised and delivered in line with our organisational goals and our commitment to putting residents at the heart of everything we do. You'll work closely with senior stakeholders, Technology and Data teams, and external partners to develop innovative AI solutions that improve how residents access services, receive support and engage with Peabody, while increasing efficiency and supporting better decision-making. A key part of the role will be establishing the frameworks, governance and operating model required to scale AI safely and effectively. It’s crucial that AI is used ethically and transparently and in ways that builds trust with our residents and communities.
What You'll Do
- Define and deliver Peabody's AI Strategy and roadmap, with a clear focus on enhancing resident outcomes and experiences
- Build and manage a portfolio of AI initiatives that deliver measurable value for both the organisation and our residents
- Identify and implement AI solutions that improve the quality, accessibility and responsiveness of resident services
- Lead projects from proof of concept through to secure, scalable deployment
- Establish governance, standards and controls to support responsible AI adoption, ensuring fairness, transparency and accountability
- Work collaboratively across business, technology and data teams to deliver successful, resident-focused outcomes
- Build organisational AI capability through knowledge sharing, coaching and adoption programmes
- Develop strong partnerships with external suppliers and industry experts
- Promote a culture of innovation, experimentation and continuous improvement, grounded in delivering real benefits for our communities
What You'll Need
We're interested in hearing from people who bring a combination of strategic leadership, AI expertise and a passion for delivering real-world, human-centred outcomes. You'll have:
- Experience leading AI, innovation or digital transformation initiatives
- Strong understanding of AI technologies, data platforms and enterprise environments
- Knowledge of responsible AI principles, governance and risk management
- Experience delivering complex programmes involving multiple stakeholders
- Strong influencing and relationship-building skills at senior levels
- The ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear benefits for residents and colleagues
- A collaborative and inclusive leadership style
Who You Are
You'll be:
- A strategic thinker who can connect technology to meaningful resident impact
- Passionate about innovation and continuous improvement
- Pragmatic, results-focused and able to balance opportunity with risk
- An engaging leader who inspires confidence and builds strong relationships
- Committed to the ethical, transparent and resident-focused use of AI
- Excited by the opportunity to shape AI adoption within a purpose-driven organisation that exists to serve its communities
Why Join Us?
When you join Peabody, you're joining a team guided by our values: Be Kind, Do the Right Thing, Love New Ideas, Celebrate Diversity, Keep Our Promises and Pull Together. We believe diverse perspectives create better outcomes for our residents, colleagues and communities. We welcome applications from everyone and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where people can thrive, be themselves and reach their full potential.
What We Offer
- 30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
- Two paid volunteering days each year
- Flexible benefits package, including family-friendly benefits and employee discounts
- 4x salary life assurance
- Up to 10% pension contribution
Please Read Before Applying
Peabody does not provide sponsorship as a licensed UK employer. This is an 18-month Fixed Term Contract.
If you're excited about the opportunity to lead AI innovation at scale and help shape the future of services for residents and colleagues, we'd love to hear from you. Please apply with an anonymised CV and a short supporting statement explaining why you're interested in the role and what you would bring to Peabody.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Ryan Loasby, Talent Specialist, at ryan.loasby@peabody.org.uk.
Interview Dates: Interviews will take place on the 14th July 2026 at the following address - 45 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7JB
Closing Date: Wednesday 8th July 2026 (we reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications).
Head of AI employer: CIH International Housing Group
Peabody is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead AI innovation within one of the UK's largest housing providers. With a strong commitment to ethical practices and resident-focused outcomes, employees benefit from a supportive work culture that values diversity, continuous improvement, and collaboration. The role of Head of AI not only allows for strategic leadership in a meaningful context but also comes with generous benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, flexible working options, and a commitment to employee growth and development.
Contact Details:
CIH International Housing Group Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of AI
✨Leverage Innovation Hubs
Tap into local innovation hubs and research centres. These places often host events and workshops where you can meet like-minded people and industry leaders. Plus, they might have job openings that aren't widely advertised, so keep your ears open!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Turn your past innovation projects into compelling stories. Create a portfolio showcasing your creativity and problem-solving skills. This can give hiring managers a real flavour of what you can bring to the table at companies like CIH International Housing Group.
✨Connect at Industry Conferences
Make it a point to attend industry conferences and seminars focused on R&D and innovation management. These events are fantastic for networking and often have job boards or career fairs where you can connect directly with firms looking for talent.
✨Use Your University’s Resources
If you're fresh out of university, don't forget to tap into your institution's career services. They often have exclusive partnerships with companies seeking new talent in R&D, especially for full-time roles. It's a good shortcut to landing a gig at places like CIH International Housing Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of AI
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Creative Thinking:In innovation and R&D management, it's all about thinking outside the box. Make sure your CV highlights any projects or experiences that showcase your creative problem-solving skills. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've developed and implemented innovative ideas in previous roles.
Tailor Your Experience to R&D:When you're crafting your CV, focus on your experience in research and development. Highlight any relevant projects you've worked on, including methodologies used and results achieved. This will show us at CIH International Housing Group that you understand the R&D process and can contribute meaningfully to our projects.
Let Your Passion Shine in the Cover Letter:For a full-time role like this, your cover letter should reflect your genuine passion for innovation and development. Share your excitement about the opportunity to work at CIH International Housing Group and touch on how your goals align with our mission. This helps us see your motivation for wanting to join our team!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in R&D! Whenever possible, quantify your achievements in your CV. Whether it’s a percentage improvement in project outcomes, the budget size you’ve managed, or the number of successful products you've launched, these figures will help paint a clearer picture of your impact and capabilities.
How to prepare for a job interview at CIH International Housing Group
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at CIH International Housing Group, they're going to want to see how you approach problem-solving. Be ready to discuss previous projects where you introduced a new idea or process. Highlight your ability to think outside the box and provide examples where your innovations drove significant results.
✨Familiarity with Tools and Technologies
Make sure you're clued up on the latest tools and technologies related to innovation management, such as project management software and data analysis platforms. Being able to discuss specific tools you’ve used or have experience with will show CIH International Housing Group that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills
Since this is a full-time gig, emphasising your teamwork skills will be essential. In innovation, collaboration often sparks the best ideas, so be ready to talk about how you've worked effectively within cross-functional teams in your past roles. Have concrete examples at the ready!
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions in your interview that reflect real challenges you might face in the role. £At CIH International Housing Group, they might want to see how you handle tight deadlines or manage conflicting ideas within a team. Prepare some responses that demonstrate your critical thinking and decisiveness in high-pressure situations.
