AI Lead

IWA is seeking an AI Lead to guide the organisation’s next phase of transformation, positioning artificial intelligence as a practical and responsible enabler of our 2025–2030 strategic ambitions. This role will combine strategic vision with operational delivery - translating emerging AI capabilities into clear, achievable initiatives that strengthen member value, enhance knowledge exchange, and improve organisational effectiveness.

The role will begin with a structured landscape analysis of how the IWA Secretariat operates across its core functions, including member enrolment and engagement, event delivery, and the creation, curation, and dissemination of knowledge through journals, white papers, webinars, and related products and services. The objective is to develop a comprehensive understanding of current workflows, platforms, and challenges, and to identify priority areas where AI can deliver measurable impact for both members and staff.

Based on this analysis, this role will define a coherent AI strategy and roadmap aligned with IWA’s operational plan. This will include a phased implementation approach; recommendations on organisational evolution and ways of working; identification of appropriate platforms, tools, and architectural principles; and the design of a structured transition process that supports adoption with minimal disruption. The role will contribute to a responsible and well-governed approach to AI adoption across the organisation.

In addition, it will lead organisational capability development through awareness-building and targeted learning initiatives, ensuring staff are confident and prepared to work with new AI-enabled capabilities. Working closely with senior leadership, the successful candidate will establish a clear delivery timeline with defined milestones, outcomes, and measures of success. Through phased pilots and iterative deployment, the role will help establish a scalable and adaptable AI architecture - enabling IWA to evolve alongside technological advances while supporting its long-term strategic priorities.

• Organisational Landscape Analysis and Opportunity Identification
  • Conduct a structured landscape analysis of Secretariat operations, including member enrolment and engagement, event delivery, and the production, curation, and dissemination of knowledge products and services.
  • Develop a clear view of existing workflows, platforms, data flows, and organisational challenges to identify where AI can enhance member value, improve efficiency, and strengthen knowledge management.
  • Translate insights from this analysis into a prioritised set of AI opportunities aligned with IWA’s strategic and operational objectives.
• AI Strategy, Roadmap, and Implementation Planning
  • Develop and maintain a coherent AI strategy and prioritised roadmap, translating organisational ambitions into clear initiatives, milestones, and measurable outcomes.
  • Define implementation approaches, including recommendations on organisational and operational adjustments to support AI adoption, alongside the selection of appropriate platforms and tools.
  • Design a structured transition approach that enables smooth adoption of AI-enabled practices with minimal disruption across teams.
• AI Architecture and Technical Foundations
  • Define and evolve IWA’s AI architecture to support priority initiatives and future use cases, ensuring effective integration with existing platforms, systems, and workflows.
  • Establish common components and standard delivery approaches so successful pilots can be scaled into reliable, organisation-wide AI services.
  • Define clear monitoring and performance practices to ensure solutions remain reliable and continue to improve as adoption increases.
• Prototyping, Validation, and Phased Deployment
  • Guide the translation of priority initiatives into practical prototypes and phased pilots, working closely with internal teams including IT.
  • Ensure clear validation approaches are in place so successful initiatives can progress confidently from early testing to organisation-wide deployment.
  • Define structured pathways for moving AI solutions from pilot to production, ensuring consistency, quality, and organisational readiness.
• Organisational Capability Development and Adoption
  • Lead organisational readiness for AI adoption by advancing workforce capability through awareness-building and targeted learning initiatives.
  • Support managers and teams in adapting ways of working to integrate AI-enabled tools and processes into day-to-day operations.
  • Maintain an up-to-date understanding of advancements in AI technologies, trends, and best practices, and assess their relevance and potential application within IWA.
• Delivery Planning, Milestones, and Outcomes
  • Establish and maintain a clear delivery timeline with defined milestones, deliverables, and measurable outcomes aligned with IWA’s operational plan.
  • Provide structured progress reporting and strategic advice to senior leadership to support informed decision-making and prioritisation.

• Core Expertise
  • Proven experience designing AI and/or data platforms at organisational scale, with at least 3+ years in a senior technical or technical leadership role.
  • Strong practical understanding of modern AI approaches, including large language models, retrieval-augmented systems, orchestration patterns, and monitoring, with awareness of cloud security and compliance considerations.
  • Demonstrated ability to assess tools and platforms and make pragmatic choices aligned with organisational needs, constraints, and maturity.
  • Experience operating in early-stage or evolving AI environments, including establishing direction, delivering early value, and working effectively amid ambiguity.
  • Demonstrated ability to translate organisational objectives into AI strategies, roadmaps, and prioritised initiatives, and to guide those initiatives from concept through to delivery.
  • Experience working with senior stakeholders to shape strategy, communicate trade-offs, and support organisational adoption of new technologies.
• Good to Have
  • Experience in research organisations, publishing, professional associations, NGOs, or other knowledge-driven environments.
  • Experience working in global, multicultural teams and navigating complex stakeholder environments.

Drawing exceptional professionals from 140 countries, IWA’s membership brings together scientists, researchers, technology companies, and water and wastewater utilities, working to address the world’s most urgent water challenges, from ridge to reef and from catchment to tap. The IWA has become a highly respected international reference and source of durable water solutions, products and services that are robust and flexible enough to be universally applicable, easily accessible, and locally adaptable. IWA is committed to the inclusive goals of access for all to water supply and sanitation, recognized as human rights. As the leading international network of water sector professionals, IWA makes a fundamental contribution to progress on these goals, connecting sector actors and facilitating the sharing of knowledge, especially by linking the worlds of research and practice.

Job Location: London, UK

Benefits: Pension, private medical insurance, travel insurance, 24 days annual leave (in addition to public holidays)

Duration: 2 years (fixed term, possible to extend)

Hours: Full-time (35 hours per week)

Reporting to: Executive Director

Eligibility: Applicants must have the right to work in the UK or be eligible for sponsorship.

How to Apply

Opening Date for Applications: 11/02/2026

Closing Date for Applications: 27/02/2026

Applicants are asked to submit their CV in English and a supporting letter of motivation. IWA is an equal-opportunity employer. International candidates are encouraged to apply. ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.