At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI strategy and drive impactful business transformation across the organisation.
- Company: Join The Very Group, a digital retailer focused on enhancing family life.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 30 days holiday, and a £10,000 benefits allowance.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI in a dynamic environment and make a real difference.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in strategic leadership and driving organisational change.
The predicted salary is between 119250 - 145750 £ per year.
About us
We’re the team behind digital retailer Very. Our purpose, helping families get more out of life, powers everything we do.
About the role
As The Very Group accelerates the adoption of AI across the organisation, the Head of AI Strategy will be responsible for translating opportunity into measurable business value. Working closely with senior leaders across the Group, the role will identify where AI can create the greatest impact, prioritise investment and ensure opportunities are translated into practical solutions that improve how we serve customers, support colleagues and operate the business. The role will help ensure AI becomes a driver of business performance, supported by the right changes to technology, processes, capabilities and ways of working.
AI is not an end in itself. The focus of this role is ensuring AI is applied where it genuinely improves customer outcomes, colleague experience and business performance. This is a highly visible role at the centre of the organisation, combining strategic thinking, commercial judgement and hands-on delivery leadership to accelerate AI adoption, embed new ways of working and help the organisation realise the full value of AI through changes to technology, processes and capabilities.
- Own the AI strategy and roadmap
- Own and lead the Group’s AI strategy and multi-year roadmap, translating the organisation’s strategic ambitions into clear priorities, initiatives and investment decisions.
- Identify, evaluate and prioritise AI opportunities across the Group, focusing on initiatives that create meaningful customer, colleague and commercial value.
- Develop and maintain a clear roadmap for AI adoption, balancing immediate opportunities with longer-term strategic priorities.
- Partner with senior leaders to ensure AI investment remains aligned to business priorities and value creation objectives.
- Turn opportunity into impact
- Translate business challenges into clearly defined AI use cases and implementation plans.
- Work across business and technology teams to ensure solutions are practical, scalable and focused on delivering outcomes.
- Ensure AI opportunities are supported by the right changes to processes, ways of working, operating models, capabilities and technology so that benefits are fully realised across the organisation.
- Drive adoption and value realisation
- Define and maintain clear success metrics for AI initiatives, ensuring progress, value realisation and impact are consistently measured and reported.
- Build organisational capability, engagement and confidence in AI, helping leaders and teams adopt new ways of working and embed AI into day-to-day decision making.
- Ensure AI remains visible and actively discussed across the organisation through regular communication, leadership engagement and colleague participation.
About you
Experience leading large-scale strategic, transformation or innovation programmes in a complex organisation. Strong commercial acumen with a track record of delivering measurable business outcomes. Experience leading organisation-wide change, embedding new ways of working and driving adoption across complex stakeholder groups. Ability to identify opportunities, build business cases and prioritise investment. Strong problem-solving and structured-thinking capability, with the ability to simplify complexity and create clarity. Experience bringing together business, technology and delivery teams to achieve common goals. Comfortable engaging with AI technologies and technical teams, while remaining focused on business outcomes rather than technical implementation. Passion for helping organisations adopt new ways of working and realise value from change. Most importantly, you'll be someone who combines strategic thinking with a bias for action - equally shaping the roadmap, influencing senior stakeholders and rolling up your sleeves to turn AI opportunities into real business outcomes.
Some of our benefits
Flexible, hybrid working model. Inclusive culture and environment. 10,000 flexible benefits allowance to suit your needs. 30 days holiday + bank holidays. LinkedIn learning access. Bonus potential (performance and business-related). Up to 25% discount on Very.co.uk. Matched pension up to 6%.
How to apply
Please note that the talent acquisition team are managing this vacancy directly, and if successful in securing this role, you will be required to undertake a credit, CIFAS, Right to Work checks and if a specific requirement of your role a DBS (criminal records) check. Our talent acquisition team will be in touch if you’re successful so keep an eye on your emails! Our interview process is tailored to each role and can be in-person or held remotely. You can expect a two stage interview process for this position: 1st stage - A 1 hour video call with the hiring team to discuss your skills and relevant experience.
Diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities
We’re building a culture of everyday inclusion, and welcome applications from anyone who believes they can do the job. We don’t discriminate based on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Committed Employer and have nine brilliant colleague networks - including DAWN (Disability Awareness at Very) and Think (Neurodiversity at Very) - that are helping us make Very an even more inclusive place to work.
Senior Director, Strategy in Liverpool employer: The Very Group
The Very Group is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant city of Liverpool, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, you will have access to flexible working arrangements, a competitive bonus structure, and a range of additional benefits that enhance your overall well-being. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team where your contributions to knowledge management will make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Director, Strategy in Liverpool
✨Dive Into Corporate Strategy Communities
Get yourself involved in online communities or forums focused on corporate strategy. Places like LinkedIn groups or specific Slack channels can hook you up with industry insights, trends, and many potential job leads. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts or ask questions; it’ll boost your visibility!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Events
Keep an eye out for corporate strategy conferences or networking events in your area (or online!). These gatherings are gold mines for meeting hiring managers and making impactful connections. Plus, having a few good conversations can lead to job referrals at companies like The Very Group!
✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills
Create content that showcases your knowledge of corporate strategy—think reports, blogs, or even video discussions. Sharing these on platforms like LinkedIn or Medium can demonstrate your expertise and make you stand out to employers looking for fresh talent.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply for the Senior Director, Strategy position at The Very Group via our website! This shows your genuine interest, and who knows, you might just land that interview in a matter of days. Keep your application focused on how you can add value to their strategy team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Director, Strategy in Liverpool
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Strategic Thinking:When crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight your strategic analysis skills. Focus on past experiences where you've effectively assessed market trends or made impactful recommendations. Evidence-based achievements, like improving processes or contributing to significant projects, will help us see your potential for driving corporate strategy at The Very Group.
Tailor Your Narrative:Don’t just send us a generic application! Personalise your cover letter by connecting your experiences and aspirations to The Very Group’s mission and goals. We love seeing candidates who genuinely understand what we do; share how your vision aligns with ours and what you can bring to the table.
Highlight Relevant Academic Credentials:In your CV, make sure to showcase your academic background, especially if you have qualifications in business, economics, or analytics. We appreciate candidates who can back up their skills with relevant degrees or certifications, so don’t be shy about flaunting those achievements!
Utilise Professional Language:While we want you to be yourself, remember that corporate strategy roles demand a level of professionalism in communication. Use clear and concise language in your application materials, ensuring that your ideas come across as well-structured and sophisticated. It’s all about making a great impression right from the written application stage!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Very Group
✨Master the Numbers
Corporate strategy often involves data analysis and financial forecasting. Brush up on your quantitative skills, and be prepared to handle case studies or numerical problems during the interview. We might get questions about how to approach market trends or assess the performance of a hypothetical company — so practice these scenarios!
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarity with strategic frameworks like SWOT, PESTLE, or Porter’s Five Forces can set you apart. We should be ready to discuss how we’d apply these tools to real-world business situations — maybe even relating them to The Very Group. This shows we’re not just theory-happy but can articulate our practical application.
✨Engage in Strategic Conversations
In a full-time role like this, it’s crucial to show that we're engaged and informed about current trends in the industry. Keep up with major news and prepare to discuss how recent developments could impact strategic decisions at The Very Group. This will demonstrate our passion and proactive approach to the field.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Whether through internships or projects, we should highlight any experience that relates to corporate strategy. Have specific examples ready to talk about how we’ve contributed to strategic growth or improvements. It's about showcasing our unique journey and how it will bring value to The Very Group.
