Head of UK Data Science

About AXA

AXA is a global leader in insurance and financial services, dedicated to helping customers protect what matters most to them. As the sixth-largest insurance company in the world, we provide a wide range of services, including health, car, home, and business insurance. We support millions of customers worldwide, helping them navigate life's uncertainties with confidence.

AXA UK Support Functions look after our three customer-facing business units, providing the infrastructure and expertise to make sure we can be there for our customers.

Job Overview

As Head of UK Data Science, you’ll shape and execute the Data Science strategy for AXA UK&I, guiding solution development, governance, and capacity planning. You’ll lead a network of data science professionals, work closely with Data & AI Strategy, Data Science Tribe Leads, AI Delivery Leads and Product Owners, and ensure our DS/AI initiatives deliver measurable business value while aligning with the AI Vision and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Data and AI Strategy team to build short, mid, and long-term AI roadmaps for data science–driven products and IP.
• Guide AI, ML, and Data Science solution development, evaluation, monitoring, and operations.
• Responsible for generating AXA’s proprietary IP and reusable data science products across UK&I and Group, evaluating and integrating best-in-class market solutions where appropriate.
• Define and maintain standards, governance, and delivery practices for AI and data science, ensuring alignment with group-wide governance and lifecycle requirements.
• Establish robust, repeatable processes around resourcing with strong controls; represent Data Science across UK&I at Group level.
• Lead the thought leadership of the Data Science Guild, staying current with industry trends and managing resource demand in collaboration with Tribe Leads, AI Delivery Leads, and Product Owners.

Manage AI Hub demand and prioritisation; validate backlog and accelerate delivery through reuse of data science products, tools, and models; foster research and innovation.

Uphold Data Science best practices, standards and AI governance; collaborate with ML/AI/Data Engineering Guilds to harmonise standards across the development lifecycle.

Work Arrangements

At AXA we work smart, empowering our people to balance their time between home and the office in a way that works best for them, their team and our customers. You'll work at least two days a week (40%) away from home, moving to three days a week (60%) in the future. Away from home means attending the office, visiting clients or attending industry events.

Your Skills & Experience

• Strong understanding of data science, machine learning, generative and agentic AI methods, theory and best practices.
• Proven experience providing technical leadership in a product team or domain.
• Excellent knowledge of research and development lifecycles and product ways of working.
• Experience in the Insurance/Financial Services industry.
• Ability to lead and work effectively in a team, while being self-sufficient and proactive.
• Excellent interpersonal, collaboration and communication skills.
• Proficiency with Agile practices and value-stream level ceremonies, including demand management and capacity planning.
• Technical stack familiarity (e.g., Azure Data Lake, Databricks, DevOps, Git, SQL, Python, PySpark) to guide delivery and architecture.
  
  

As a precondition of employment for this role, you must be eligible and authorised to work in the United Kingdom.

How To Apply

To apply, click on the ‘apply now’ button, you’ll then need to log in or create a profile to submit your CV. We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer and don’t discriminate against employees or potential employees based on protected characteristics. If you have a long-term condition or disability and require adjustments during the application or interview process, we’re proud to offer access to the AXA Accessibility Concierge. For our support, please send an email to Daniel.harrison@axa-uk.co.uk.

We encourage you to apply for this opportunity as soon as possible, as we may close this advert earlier than the listed closing date.