At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the AI & Automation Hub, shaping responsible AI solutions for a regulated financial services organisation.
- Company: Join a highly regulated financial services organisation focused on innovative AI adoption.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on credibility and balanced decision-making.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by embedding AI in a sustainable and valuable way.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in AI leadership within financial services and strong stakeholder engagement skills.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Profectus Recruitment is proud to be supporting a highly regulated financial services organisation to recruit an Head of AI & Automation. This is a pivotal role focused on building and scaling the organisation’s AI & Automation capability in a safe, structured and commercially meaningful way. You will establish and lead an AI & Automation Hub (Centre of Excellence), shaping how AI-enabled solutions are identified, governed and delivered across the business.
The emphasis is not on experimental AI for the sake of it; this role is about pragmatic, responsible adoption. You will define guardrails, shape solution patterns and ensure automation and AI use cases are designed with the right controls, integrations and long-term scalability in mind.
In the initial phase, the focus will be on establishing the operating model, governance framework and delivery standards, while driving early, high-impact use cases (including M365 Copilot and Power Platform automation) to build credibility and momentum. Over time, you will scale the capability across the organisation in alignment with Data Governance, Information Security and Technology Risk.
You’ll be joining a collaborative, stakeholder-led environment where influence, credibility and balanced risk-based decision making matter as much as technical knowledge. This is a role for someone who enjoys shaping capability from the ground up and wants to embed AI in a way that is sustainable, controlled and genuinely valuable.
Hybrid working: 2 days per week on-site.
What they’re looking for:
- Proven experience leading or building an AI, Automation or Innovation capability within financial services or another regulated environment
- Strong understanding of AI solution design principles, governance guardrails and responsible adoption frameworks
- Experience shaping and delivering automation use cases into production (Power Automate, Power Apps, Copilot Studio or equivalent)
- Working knowledge of Microsoft 365 and modern workplace technologies
- Experience defining product roadmaps, prioritisation models and capability backlogs
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with experience aligning Information Security, Risk and Architecture teams
- Ability to establish clear standards across design, build, test and BAU transition
- Comfortable operating at both strategic and hands-on solution design level
- Experience setting up or running a Centre of Excellence / Hub model
- Power Platform or M365 related certifications
This is an opportunity to define how AI & Automation is adopted in a regulated environment, building credibility through early delivery and creating the foundations for scalable, secure innovation.
Please apply for immediate consideration.
Head of AI & Automation employer: Profectus Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Profectus Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of AI & Automation
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the financial services sector, especially those involved in AI and automation. Attend industry events or webinars to make connections and get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio or case studies that highlight your experience with AI solution design and automation. This will help you stand out when chatting with potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your stakeholder engagement skills. Be ready to discuss how you've aligned teams in the past and how you can bring that experience to the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of AI & Automation
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Head of AI & Automation. Highlight your experience in building AI capabilities and any relevant projects you've led in financial services. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about AI and automation, and how you can bring value to our organisation. Be sure to mention specific examples that demonstrate your expertise.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Engagement Skills: In this role, collaboration is key. Make sure to highlight your experience working with various teams, especially in aligning with Information Security and Risk. We love seeing how you’ve influenced others and driven projects forward!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Let’s get started on this journey together!
How to prepare for a job interview at Profectus Recruitment
✨Know Your AI & Automation Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of AI solution design principles and automation frameworks. Be ready to discuss specific use cases you've worked on, especially in regulated environments like financial services. This will show that you understand the practical implications of your work.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
Prepare examples of how you've engaged with various stakeholders, particularly in aligning teams like Information Security and Risk. Highlight your ability to influence decisions and build credibility, as this role requires strong collaboration across departments.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Think about how you would establish an AI & Automation Hub. Be ready to discuss your approach to defining operating models and governance frameworks. This shows that you can think strategically while also being hands-on when needed.
✨Get Familiar with Microsoft Tools
Since the role involves M365 Copilot and Power Platform, make sure you're comfortable discussing these tools. If you have any relevant certifications, mention them! This will demonstrate your commitment to staying updated and your technical proficiency.