Head of Data Culture & Capability

Job description details

Job ref: 2026-16353

Closing date: 09/03/2026

Location:
Bristol | Tunbridge Wells | Bolton | London

Career area:
OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Salary:
Up to £165,000 dependent on experience


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:

We’re seeking a strategic leader to drive AXA UK’s Data & AI vision, transforming how we utilise data and artificial intelligence to create value for our customers and people. Being a trusted advisor to executive leadership and defining and implementing the strategy, you’ll foster a data-driven culture, cultivating a high-performing team of AI and Data specialists. You’ll shape the Data & AI Academy to develop internal capabilities, promote collaboration across business units, and engage stakeholders at all levels. Leading initiatives to embed AI into business processes to enhance products, services, and operational efficiency, you’ll also manage relationships with external partners to supports AXA UK’s data driven future.

Key responsibilities:

  • Define and communicate the UK Data & AI strategy, roadmap, and vision to deliver measurable value and support business transformation through to 2029.
  • Foster a data-driven culture, promote data literacy, innovation, and ethical AI practices across the organisation.
  • Identify, develop, and embed AI opportunities to enhance products, services, and operational efficiency.
  • Drive the creation and ongoing development of the Data & AI Academy to build internal capabilities and promote collaboration.
  • Act as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, managing stakeholder engagement, and external partnerships.
  • Drive the adoption of AI solutions into business processes, supporting change management and measuring impact through KPIs.
  • Develop and maintain technology blueprints, enablers, and roadmaps to support AI delivery at scale.
  • Cultivate a high-performing AI and Data team, fostering continuous learning and cross-functional collaboration.

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:

  • Proven track record in developing, deploying and managing innovative AI solutions within complex matrix organisations.
  • Strong experience in defining and executing data and AI strategies aligned with business objectives.
  • Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to operate effectively across senior leadership and diverse teams.
  • Demonstrated success in leading organisational change, promoting data literacy and fostering a data-driven culture.
  • Extensive experience working within digital and data environments, with cross-functional and matrix management expertise.
  • Ability to communicate complex topics clearly and compellingly, tailoring messaging for different audiences.
  • Experience managing external partners, vendors, or third-party suppliers to deliver value.
  • Strong leadership skills in building and developing high-performing teams of AI and Data specialists.

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 leanne.white@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.

#LI-Hybrid

What we offer

We acknowledge and appreciate the exceptional efforts of our people in protecting what matters most to our customers. In exchange we offer a series of core and supporting benefits designed to empower our people to thrive both professionally and personally.

Competitive Salary

Annual Bonus

25 - 28 Days Annual Leave

21 Hours Volunteering Leave

Pension Scheme

Life Assurance

Private Medical Cover

AXA Shareplan

Wellbeing Initiatives

Employee Assistance Programme

Flexible Benefits

Discounts

Our Values

Our Values shape what we do and how we do it.
They inspire, guide, empower & unite us.

Customer first

All our thinking starts with the customer

Integrity

We’re guided by strong moral principles

Courage

We speak our mind and act to make things happen

One AXA

Being together and being different makes us better

Inclusion

At AXA we have a culture of trust, respect and care, where everyone belongs. We have an ambition to become one of the most inspiring companies to work for, as such we’re committed to supporting employee needs, providing meaningful career development, and celebrating differences. We all have a role to play in ensuring a working environment in which everyone, regardless of who they are, can reach their true potential. 

Equal Opportunities

We believe in hiring people who possess the appropriate skills and values that align with our vision. Our selection process is fair and equitable, ensuring that all candidates have an equal opportunity to join us. We are dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion, and we actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we take pride in treating our employees and potential hires with respect and without discrimination based on any Protected Characteristics. 

Accessibility Concierge

As a Disability Confident employer, we’re proud to offer our support and access to the AXA Accessibility Concierge. A unique, industry leading offering created to support and encourage candidates with long term health conditions or disabilities that may require alternative methods of applying or for reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. Our trained Accessibility Concierge Ambassadors will have a conversation with you to identify the support you need and explain how you will be supported throughout the process. The service is available to all candidates, including those already employed by AXA. To ensure ease of access, every job advert lists a responsible Talent Acquisition contact, who’ll be able to connect you with the Accessibility Concierge if you require any support.

Disability Confident 'Offer of Interview' Scheme

AXA UK are recognised as a Disability Confident Leader. We actively encourage applications from people who face barriers in the workplace due to a disability or long-term health condition. We participate in the Disability Confident ‘Offer of Interview’ scheme. This means a fair and proportionate number of candidates with long-term health conditions or disabilities who meet the essential criteria of a job, will be offered an interview.

  • You'll need to show you meet the essential criteria as detailed in the job advert or job description
  • You don’t need to share the details of your long term health condition or disability for your application to be considered under this scheme

As part of your application, you’ll be asked if you would like to ‘opt in’. To ensure ease of access, every job advert lists a responsible Talent Acquisition contact, who’ll be able to connect you with our Accessibility Concierge if you require any support.

Screening & Conduct

As a regulated financial services company, all successful candidates will be subject to pre-employment checks. Additionally, adherence to the Prudential Regulation Authority’s (PRA) Insurance Conduct Standards and the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) Conduct Rules will be required.

How we hire

There are 3 stages to our recruitment process; Application, Interview and Decision. This process provides an opportunity for us to get to know you, and for you to get to know us. We’re looking for people who share our values and ambition.

Application

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Interview

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Decision

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How we work

We know one size doesn't fit all so depending on our customer's needs, your unique circumstances and how your team operates we offer a blend of home and office-based working.

Read more View Office Locations

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