Head of data automation and ai

Occupop

City of London, Greater London

Job Description:

Position: Head of Data, Automation and AI

Location: Remote

Salary: Up to £90,000

As the UK's leading apprenticeship provider, Knovia are transforming how education, skills development, and employment services are delivered in a rapidly evolving digital world. Our mission is to empower learners, employers, and society to thrive in an inclusive, AI-enabled future.

To help drive this transformation, we are creating a new leadership role: Head of Data, Automation & AI . This is a rare opportunity to build and lead a modern data and AI capability from the ground up, shaping strategy, technology, and culture across the organisation. In this role you will lead the development of a modern data ecosystem that powers insight, automation, and intelligent decision-making across the group.

Working closely with the Chief Transformation Officer and senior leadership, you will define and deliver our data and AI strategy , enabling smarter operations, better learner experiences, and innovative digital services.

This is a hands-on leadership role combining strategic vision with technical depth.

Over the next 12 months, you will focus on:

Designing and implementing a scalable modern data platform (data lake, warehouse, pipelines, BI)
Automating end-to-end business processes using platforms such as Workato
Developing and deploying AI agents and AI-enabled workflows
Enhancing analytics and insight capabilities
Building internal AI capability, literacy and training across the organisation
Establishing governance frameworks for data quality, privacy and responsible AI

A selection of the key responsibilities for this role:

Define and lead Knovia's data, automation and AI strategy
Build and deliver a data and AI roadmap aligned with organisational priorities
Identify and prioritise high-impact AI, analytics and automation use case
Design and oversee scalable cloud-based data architecture
Build and manage data platforms, pipelines and integrations
Operationalise AI and automation across business processes
Develop and deploy AI agents and intelligent automation solutions
Implement ML lifecycle management, model monitoring and MLOps
Ensure compliance with GDPR and data protection regulations
Implement ethical and responsible AI practices
Build and lead a high-performing data, AI and automation team
Develop internal AI literacy and training programmes
Partner with departments to identify high-impact transformation opportunities
Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders

You'll be instrumental in redefining our value proposition in an AI world, helping us deliver smarter, more connected, and future-ready services. If you're passionate about using data and AI as a force for good, and ready to lead meaningful change in education and employment, we'd love to hear from you.

What we need from you:

Senior leadership experience in data, AI, or digital transformation
Proven track record delivering enterprise-scale data platforms or AI initiatives
Strong expertise in cloud data architecture and data engineering
Experience leading cross-functional teams across data, AI and engineering
Demonstrated success embedding data-driven decision making
Experience with modern data and AI ecosystems including: Cloud platforms, Data Platforms, MLOps Tools and Workflow Automation tools
Degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or related discipline
Strong commitment to continuous professional development in AI and data technologies

If you are passionate about using data, automation and artificial intelligence to solve real-world challenges, this role offers the chance to make a meaningful impact at scale, so why not join the Knovia Group, who are on a bold mission to ensure AI leaves no one behind empowering learners, employers, and society to thrive in an inclusive, AI-enabled future.

If you want to see more details of this role, please contact [email protected] to request a copy of the full job description and person specification.

We are proud to offer a suite of benefits that are handpicked for you:

25 days annual leave - increasing with length of service and 8 bank holidays
Holiday purchase scheme
Up to 3 days of paid volunteering leave and corporate conscience initiatives
Recognition and long service awards to celebrate our colleagues'
Perkbox - a suite of discounts, lifestyle benefits and wellness tool
3% matched Employer Pension contribution
In person team meetings and 1:1s
Enhanced Maternity leave after 2 years of service
Income protection and Life Assurance
Recommend a colleague incentive schemes, where you can benefit £500 for referring great people to work with us
CPD and training opportunities
4pm Friday finish with flexible working opportunities available
Flexible and supportive team and with a great culture
Employee Assistance Programme, with a dedicated People Team to support all colleagues

Knovia is committed to the safeguarding and wellbeing of our learners and colleagues and we implement robust safer recruitment practices to support this. Dependant on the role you are applying for, we may undertake a number of necessary checks to confirm you are suitable to work with children and vulnerable adults, which may include a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and have a guaranteed interview scheme in place to ensure that nobody is overlooked or discriminated against because of their disability. If you meet the minimum criteria when you apply and you have informed us in your application that you have a disability, you will be guaranteed an interview for that role.