Head of AI Centre of Excellence

Job Description

Version 1 already has 98% AI adoption across the business, live agentic deployment models, and a use-case governance framework that routes work between self-service AI and CoE-driven transformation based on complexity. Most organisations are still trying to get pilots into production. We've done that. The Head of AI Centre of Excellence is the person who takes that foundation and pushes it further: scaling agentic workflows from pilots into the core of how Version 1 delivers, and building the people and skills strategy that keeps 4,300+ staff ahead of the curve as AI-native working becomes the norm, not the exception. 

Reporting to the Director of AI, this individual leads an established CoE team with budget authority, and works through influence across the wider organisation to embed AI-native ways of working in our internal systems, delivery processes and people. The role is weighted towards internal transformation (roughly 80%), with a smaller but high-profile external element: representing Version 1's own transformation story through thought leadership and conference platforms, and shaping the messaging that feeds into board-level AI strategy via the Director of AI. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Scale Agentic Workflows into Core Delivery 
• Move agentic AI from pilots and self-service use cases into embedded, transformational change across core delivery functions. 
• Own the direction and roadmap for Version 1's internal AI tooling and applications, ensuring our own use of AI reflects the standard we sell to customers. 
• Evolve the use-case governance model that decides what stays self-service and what warrants CoE-led transformation. 
• Lead and Grow the AI Centre of Excellence 
• Lead the established AI CoE team, with budget authority, setting priorities, standards and ways of working for the function. 
• Build the CoE's capability and remit as internal demand for AI-led transformation grows. 
• Drive Change Through Influence 
• Apply technology consulting skills to bring different functions and leaders along the transformation journey, without direct authority over every team involved. 
• Work closely with the exec team to secure sponsorship, remove blockers and keep internal transformation aligned to commercial priorities. 
• Act as the internal change agent for agentic and AI-native working, building coalitions across service lines and functions. 
• Shape People Strategy for an AI-Native Organisation 
• Partner with the People function to define the enablement and continuous development our staff need as AI changes how work gets done. 
• Shape the direction and strategy for building an AI-native organisation, including skills, career pathways and ways of working. 
• Identify capability gaps across the business and set the learning and development response. 
• Represent Internal Transformation Externally 
• Provide exec-level guidance to customers on AI-led transformation, drawing on firsthand experience of Version 1's own journey. 
• Act as an external voice for Version 1's AI-native operating model through thought leadership, conferences and press. 
• Shape the messaging on internal AI transformation that feeds into board-level AI strategy, delivered via the Director of AI. 
• Work with the AI Service Line Lead to feed internal transformation learnings into customer-facing propositions where relevant. 
• Measure and Report Impact 
• Define the metrics that show the impact of internal AI transformation on delivery quality, efficiency and customer outcomes. 
• Report progress to the exec team and refine the approach as the organisation's AI maturity develops. 

Qualifications

• Senior Technical Leadership 
• Proven track record in a senior technical leadership role (e.g. CTO, Head of AI, Principal Architect) with direct accountability for AI or technology transformation. 
• Deep, firsthand experience of AI architecture, agentic systems, generative AI and data platforms, gained through leading rather than advising on transformation. 
• Internal Transformation & Change Leadership 
• Experience redesigning internal processes and workflows around AI and agentic automation, not just piloting individual use cases. 
• Skilled in technology consulting approaches, able to diagnose, plan and sequence transformation across multiple functions. 
• Team and Stakeholder Leadership 
• Experience leading a specialist team, with the ability to also lead through influence across functions with no direct authority. 
• Comfortable operating at exec level, building sponsorship and consensus for change among senior leaders. 
• People Strategy & Enablement 
• Track record of working with HR/People functions to define enablement, upskilling and career development programmes at scale. 
• Understands how to translate an AI strategy into workforce capability plans across technical and non-technical roles. 
• Customer-Facing Credibility & External Visibility 
• Able to represent Version 1's own transformation story credibly in senior customer conversations, translating internal experience into external advisory value. 
• Comfortable as a public voice for the organisation, whether on a conference stage, in press, or in written thought leadership. 
• Comfortable moving between internal delivery detail and external strategic narrative. 
• Results-Driven & Adaptable 
• A performance mindset with the ability to set clear goals, measure outcomes and adjust the transformation roadmap as the organisation's AI maturity evolves. 
• Comfortable with ambiguity and able to drive change without waiting for perfect conditions. 

Additional Information

Why Version 1?  

 At Version 1, we believe in providing our employees with a comprehensive benefits package that prioritises their wellbeing, professional growth, and financial stability.  

• Share in our success with our Quarterly Performance-Related Profit Share Scheme, where employees collectively benefit from a share of our company's profits  

• Strong Career Progression & mentorship coaching through our Strength in Balance & Leadership schemes with a dedicated quarterly Pathways Career Development programme  

• Flexible/remote working, Version 1 is tremendously understanding of life events and people’s individual circumstances and offer flexibility to help achieve a healthy work life balance  

• Financial Wellbeing initiatives including; Pension, Private Healthcare Cover, Life Assurance, Financial advice and an Employee Discount scheme  

• Employee Wellbeing schemes including Gym Discounts, Bike to Work, Fitness classes, Mindfulness Workshops, Employee Assistance Programme and much more. Generous holiday allowance, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, marriage/civil partnership leave and special leave policies  

• Educational assistance, incentivised certifications, and accreditations, including AWS, Microsoft, Oracle, and Red Hat  

• Reward schemes including Version 1’s Annual Excellence Awards & ‘Call-Out’ platform.  

• Environment, Social and Community First initiatives allow you to get involved in local fundraising and development opportunities as part of fostering our diversity, inclusion and belonging schemes.  

And many more exciting benefits… drop us a note to find out more.     

Version 1 is an equal opportunities employer.  

We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace where everyone feels valued and able to thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and lived experiences, and we value the different perspectives people bring including those shaped by disability and neurodiversity.  

We want every candidate to have a positive and accessible recruitment experience. If you need reasonable adjustments at any stage of the process, please contact your recruiter at Version 1. We will consider all requests carefully, respectfully and confidentially.  

Video links:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_d3ELTH5zo  

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