At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI governance strategy and ensure ethical AI use across the organisation.
- Company: Join a historic savings and investment firm with a commitment to innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 38 days annual leave, a generous pension scheme, and comprehensive health cover.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace welcoming applicants from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI governance in a dynamic and supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Senior-level experience in risk or compliance within financial services required.
The predicted salary is between 70100 - 100000 £ per year.
Our purpose is to give everyone real confidence to put their money to work. With a heritage dating back more than 175 years, we have a long history of innovation in savings and investments, combining asset management and insurance expertise to offer a wide range of solutions. Our two distinct operating segments, Asset Management and Life, work together to provide access to balanced, long‑term investment and savings solutions. Through telling it like it is, owning it now, and moving it forward together with care and integrity; we are creating an exceptional place to work for exceptional talent. We will consider flexible working arrangements for any of our roles and also offer workplace accommodations to ensure you have what you need to effectively deliver in your role.
About the role
The Head of AI Governance is accountable for establishing, embedding, and continuously evolving the firm’s enterprise‑wide AI governance and responsible AI framework. The role ensures that all uses of artificial intelligence – across both internal operations and customer‑facing products – are compliant with regulatory expectations, aligned with the firm’s risk appetite, and deployed in a manner that is ethical, transparent, and trustworthy. Operating at the intersection of regulation, technology, and business strategy, the role provides strategic leadership, pragmatic oversight, and expert advisory support to executive stakeholders as AI adoption scales across the organisation.
Strategy & Governance
- Define and own the firm’s AI Governance Strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives, enterprise risk management, and regulatory expectations.
- Evolve and maintain the AI Governance Framework, including policies, standards, controls, decision rights, and escalation pathways.
- Lead the evolution of AI governance from point‑in‑time approvals to embedded, risk‑based, business‑as‑usual controls.
Regulatory & Compliance Oversight
- Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and supervisory expectations, including:
- EU AI Act (and UK divergence where applicable)
- FCA, PRA and ICO expectations relating to AI, data protection, model risk, and consumer outcomes
- Cross‑jurisdictional requirements for global operations
- Act as the firm’s subject‑matter expert on AI regulation, advising Legal, Compliance, and senior leaders on regulatory interpretation and practical implementation.
- Prepare executive‑level and regulatory‑ready artefacts, evidence, and disclosures relating to AI risk and controls.
Risk Management & Assurance
- Oversee the identification, assessment, and treatment of AI‑related risks, including:
- Model risk, bias, explainability, and robustness
- Data usage, privacy, and intellectual property risks
- Third‑party and vendor AI risks
- Consumer harm and reputational risk
- Define governance approaches for high‑risk and prohibited AI use cases, including control design, oversight requirements, and sign‑off expectations.
- Partner with Internal Audit and Risk functions to support independent assurance and continuous improvement.
Operating Model & Decision Forums
- Design and lead AI governance forums and decision‑making bodies, ensuring:
- Clear accountability and decision ownership
- Proportionate oversight aligned to risk
- Constructive enablement rather than unnecessary friction
- Provide expert challenge, guidance, and recommendations to business and technology teams throughout the AI lifecycle.
Stakeholder Engagement & Enablement
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders across Technology, Data, Legal, Compliance, Risk, HR, and the business.
- Enable responsible innovation by providing clear, pragmatic guidance that helps teams deploy AI safely and efficiently.
- Lead AI literacy and awareness initiatives to ensure colleagues understand their responsibilities and obligations when using AI.
Leadership & External Engagement
- Build, lead, and develop a high‑performing AI governance team.
- Represent the firm in industry forums, regulatory discussions, and external working groups related to AI and responsible technology.
- Monitor external developments in AI, regulation, and industry best practice to inform proactive governance improvements.
Knowledge
- Strong understanding of AI systems, their risks, and limitations from a governance and oversight perspective.
- In‑depth knowledge of UK and EU financial services regulation relevant to AI (e.g. EU AI Act, FCA, PRA, ICO).
- Awareness of model risk management, data governance, privacy, and third‑party risk concepts.
- Understanding of ethical, trustworthy, and responsible AI principles and how they translate into controls.
- Familiarity with enterprise risk management frameworks and regulatory assurance expectations.
Skills
- Ability to design and embed enterprise‑wide governance frameworks for complex and emerging risks.
- Strong executive stakeholder engagement, influence, and constructive challenge skills.
- Capability to translate complex regulatory or technical topics into clear, pragmatic guidance.
- Strategic thinking combined with practical decision‑making in ambiguous, fast‑evolving environments.
- Leadership skills to build, manage, and motivate high‑performing governance teams.
Experience
- Senior‑level experience in risk, compliance, governance, or regulatory roles within financial services.
- Proven track record of implementing governance or control frameworks at enterprise scale.
- Experience advising senior leaders or committees on regulatory interpretation and risk decisions.
- Exposure to oversight of AI, models, data, or advanced technology within a regulated environment.
- Desirable experience operationalising AI regulatory requirements (e.g. EU AI Act) or managing third‑party AI risk.
Educational Qualification
- Graduate in any discipline.
Benefits
- As a savings and investment firm we offer a valuable pension scheme of 18%, with 13% made up of Employer Contributions and 5% Employee Contributions.
- We also offer Share Save and our Share Incentive Plan, together with access to financial wellbeing and support services.
- Enjoy 38 days annual leave including bank holidays, with the opportunity to purchase up to 5 extra days and additional flexibility through our Time Off When You Need It policy.
- Our market‑leading Inspiring Families policy includes comprehensive support and paid parental leave covering maternity, adoption, surrogacy, and paternity leave.
- Health & Protection cover including Private Healthcare, Critical Illness cover and Life Assurance for you, with family options.
EEO Statement
We have a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture at M&G, underpinned by our policies and our employee‑led networks who provide networking opportunities, advice and support for the diverse communities our colleagues represent. Regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, nationality, disability or long‑term condition, we are looking to attract, promote and retain exceptional people. We also welcome those who take part in military service and those returning from career breaks. M&G is also proud to be a Disability Confident Leader, and we welcome applications from candidates with long‑term health conditions, disabilities, or neuro‑divergent conditions. If you need assistance or an alternative means of applying for a role due to a disability or additional need, please let us know by contacting us.
Head of AI Governance in London employer: M&G
At M&G, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and growth. With flexible working arrangements, a generous benefits package including an 18% pension scheme, and a commitment to diversity, we empower our employees to thrive while making a meaningful impact in the financial services sector. Join us in shaping the future of AI governance in a collaborative environment where your expertise will be valued and your career can flourish.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of AI Governance in London
✨Tap into Campus Networks
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of AI Governance in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
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How to prepare for a job interview at M&G
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with M&G.
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