About M&G
At M&G, our purpose is to give everyone real confidence to put their money to work. As an international savings and investments business with roots stretching back more than 170 years, we offer a range of financial products and services through Asset Management, Life and Wealth. All three operating segments work together to deliver attractive financial outcomes for our clients and superior shareholder returns.
Through our behaviours of 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.
The Role
The M&G Life business has an ambitious strategy for growth that encompasses the creation of a broader range of investment solutions, enhances customer access to our products, and expands our distribution capability while delivering value through advice.
The ability to achieve our strategic goals and build a future-ready business relies on a coherent, integrated digital, data & AI strategy bolstered by robust governance processes.
The Head of AI and Innovation will be responsible for defining an interconnected AI and innovation strategy in partnership with the Group Technology function. This strategy will support the overall digital, data & AI objectives, cover all aspects of the Life business, and drive business transformation through innovation.
Key Areas of Focus
- AI Strategy and Management: Develop and deliver an AI strategy that strengthens foundational AI capabilities. Utilise advanced AI techniques to provide critical insights, drive efficiency, and create value across the business. Work closely with Group Technology and business stakeholders to implement this strategy.
- Innovation: Lead the innovation agenda by identifying and implementing new technologies and approaches to drive business transformation. Showcase compelling use cases of AI and foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the organisation.
Responsibilities
To achieve the above, the role holder will undertake the following:
- Collaboration: Work closely with various departments, including Marketing, IT, Sales, Distribution, Propositions, and Customer Service, to ensure AI and innovation strategies align with business goals.
- Strategy Development: Contribute to the broader digital, data & AI strategy, working closely with the Director of Data, MI & AI.
- Leadership: Lead and mentor a team of AI and innovation professionals both internally and with third-party suppliers, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
Integration Leader
- Outline the current state environment and create a transition plan to move to the target state, including sequencing and prioritisation via different delivery model options.
- Support the Director of Data, MI & AI in their role as the central point person for all Life AI and innovation topics. Including:
- Lare Language Models (LLMs)
- Agentic AI, Autonomous agents for workflow automation
- AI-powered decision intelligence systems
- AI ethics and responsible AI implementation
- Deliver AI solutions across the full life cycle from PoCs and MVPs into production.
- Develop relevant business cases for the implementation of new AI and innovation capabilities.
- Act as the thought leader within Life regarding the adoption of new and emerging AI technologies and innovation, engaging with Group Technology and key third-party partners.
- Ensure alignment with the overall digital, data & AI strategy and business objectives.
- Foster strong working relationships with operational business units, marketing, sales, distribution, and the group technology teams.
Key Skills, Competencies & Experience
Skills And Competencies
- Action & impact-oriented, able to move at pace and bring people along the way.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.
- Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities.
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
- Strong analytical and data interpretation skills.
- Excellent project management and organizational skills.
- Ability to influence and drive change across the organization.
Experience
- Strong communication skills and proven ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders at exec level.
- Significant experience in AI strategy, innovation, and deployment in leadership roles.
- Strong background in Data Science, Machine Learning, and data platforms.
- Experience deploying various AI technologies and their application in business contexts.
- Extensive experience in a leadership role within data strategy, governance, and AI initiatives.
- Strong experience in defining strategic roadmaps around AI, digital, and data transformation.
- Knowledge of product design and evolution into service design.
- Experience in Life or wider Financial Services.
- Knowledge of Agile/Scrum methodologies, service design & digital transformation.
- Experience working in a highly controlled and regulated environment.
The Head of AI and Innovation will play a pivotal role in driving the future growth and transformation of M&G Life, ensuring our AI and innovation strategies are effectively implemented to achieve our long-term objectives.