At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI governance strategy and ensure compliance with regulations while promoting responsible AI use.
- Company: Join a historic savings and investments firm with a commitment to innovation and integrity.
- Benefits: Enjoy 38 days annual leave, a generous pension scheme, and comprehensive health coverage.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and a supportive culture for diverse talents.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI governance in a dynamic and inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Senior-level experience in risk, compliance, or governance within financial services required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 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.
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
- Regulatory & Compliance Oversight
- Risk Management & Assurance
- Operating Model & Decision Forums
- Stakeholder Engagement & Enablement
- Leadership & External Engagement
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.
What we offer:
- At M&G, we’re committed to helping you thrive and supporting your wellbeing, both at work and beyond. Our benefits are designed to help you balance your professional and personal life, while planning confidently for your future.
- Our UK benefits include:
- A valuable pension scheme of 18%, with 13% made up of Employer Contributions and 5% Employee Contributions.
- Share Save and our Share Incentive Plan, together with access to financial wellbeing and support services.
- 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.
- 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.
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 at: careers@mandg.com
Head of AI Governance in London employer: Prudential Distribution
At M&G, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing 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 both professionally and personally. Join us in London as the Head of AI Governance, where you will play a pivotal role in shaping responsible AI practices within a company that values integrity and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of AI Governance in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those already working at M&G. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s values and recent projects. Show us how your experience aligns with their mission of responsible AI governance.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills in risk management and compliance can help M&G navigate the evolving landscape of AI regulation.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of AI Governance in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in AI governance and compliance. We want to see how your skills align with our mission of ethical and responsible AI use.
Showcase Your Expertise:Don’t hold back on sharing your knowledge about AI regulations and risk management. We’re looking for someone who can navigate the complexities of AI governance, so let us know how you’ve tackled similar challenges in the past.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, especially when discussing complex topics like AI frameworks and compliance. Make it easy for us to see your qualifications!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Prudential Distribution
✨Know Your AI Governance Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of AI governance and the regulatory landscape. Familiarise yourself with the EU AI Act and FCA expectations, as well as how they apply to the financial services sector. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you're ready to take on the responsibilities of the role.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to think strategically about AI governance. Think about times when you've successfully implemented governance frameworks or navigated complex regulatory environments. Be ready to discuss how you can align AI governance with business objectives and risk management.
✨Engage with Stakeholders Effectively
Since this role involves significant stakeholder engagement, practice articulating how you would communicate complex regulatory topics to various teams. Prepare to discuss your experience in building relationships with senior leaders and how you can enable responsible innovation across the organisation.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a potential leader in AI governance, be prepared to talk about your leadership style and how you've built high-performing teams in the past. Share specific examples of how you've motivated teams and fostered a culture of compliance and ethical AI use, which is crucial for this role.