At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI architecture strategy and drive innovative technology solutions.
- Company: Join Hastings Direct, a dynamic and agile insurance provider.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusivity and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fun, fast-paced environment while shaping the future of AI.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in AI architecture and cross-functional collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 30332 - 37072 £ per year.
Hastings Direct is an agile, data and digitally focused general insurance provider to the UK market, offering a full range of car, van, bike and home insurance products. It’s a dynamic, flexible, fun and constantly changing environment, so it takes a certain kind of individual to thrive here.
As a member of the Group Architecture Leadership Team, the role contributes to enterprise-wide architecture strategy, governance, technology investment decisions, talent development and the evolution of architecture practice across Hastings Direct. The Head of AI Architecture is accountable for turning AI ambition into safe, scalable and value‑led technology choices that support CIO priorities and deliver measurable value for customers, colleagues and the business. The role provides architecture leadership across CIO, business functions and technology partners, ensuring AI capabilities and solutions are aligned to business priorities and the target architecture, including effective use of Azure, Snowflake, third‑party AI and SaaS‑based AI capabilities.
About you
- Strategic vision and alignment: Strong track record of defining current state, target state, transition roadmaps, standards, patterns and architecture guardrails that guide AI delivery at scale using Azure, Snowflake, third‑party AI and SaaS‑based AI capabilities.
- AI solution and platform architecture: Strong understanding of how AI solutions are designed, integrated, monitored and operated across enterprise platforms, including Azure, Snowflake, APIs, data pipelines, orchestration, observability, model lifecycle management and production support.
- Generative AI and automation delivery: Experience shaping architectures for generative AI, automation, agentic AI and AI‑assisted capabilities, including retrieval augmented generation, tool use, orchestration, knowledge grounding, guardrails and secure use of third‑party AI services.
- Cross‑functional collaboration: Ability to build strong partnerships across business, technology, delivery, data, risk, compliance and supplier teams, creating shared accountability and integrated problem‑solving.
- Change leadership: Proven ability to lead architecture in a large, complex, fast‑moving organisation, balancing business ambition with risk, resilience, cost and long‑term technology health.
- Innovation and market awareness: Strong awareness of AI trends, supplier capability, architecture practices and innovation opportunities that can improve business, customer and colleague outcomes.
- Culture and talent development: Experience building, leading, coaching and improving architecture teams, creating clear standards, strong collaboration and a high‑performance culture.
- Risk and governance oversight: Strong understanding of AI governance, model risk, privacy, explainability, auditability, human oversight, resilience, security and ethical delivery, with the judgement to apply controls pragmatically.
Benefits
- Competitive salary and £6k car allowance
- Flexible working – we champion a flexible hybrid working approach
- Competitive bonus scheme - all colleagues are eligible for our annual 4Cs performance bonus
- Physical wellbeing – Hastings pay for you to receive private medical Insurance (PMI)
- Financial wellbeing – life assurance cover, income protection, matched pension contributions up to 10%, discounts, cashback, free independent mortgage advice and financial wellbeing support
- Mental wellbeing programme – thrive mental health app, colleague assistance programme available 24/7, in‑house mental health first aiders, support groups
- 27 days annual leave + bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell one of your weeks, access to health care cash back plans, dental plans, discounted health assessments, Cycle to work and tech schemes, discounted and free onsite facilities, social events throughout the year
Hastings Group is an equal opportunities employer which means we treat people fairly. We welcome applications from all suitably skilled persons regardless of their gender, age, race, disability, ethnic background, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or marital/family status. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
Head of AI Architecture employer: Hastings Direct
Hastings Direct is an exceptional employer for Actuarial Graduates, offering a dynamic work environment in London that fosters professional growth and innovation. With a strong focus on employee well-being, the company provides competitive benefits including flexible working arrangements, a robust bonus scheme, and access to mental health resources. The collaborative culture encourages the development of cutting-edge actuarial skills through hands-on experience with modern tools like Python and AI, making it an ideal place for motivated individuals to launch their careers.
