AI Technical Lead

The role Howden is moving from deploying AI tools to embedding AI into how the business actually works. The Group AI Function has a clear mandate to drive that shift, and the next phase demands stronger technical governance, sharper architecture thinking, and closer oversight of what's being built across the organisation. The AI Technical Lead is the technical authority inside the function. The role owns architecture governance, leads the assessment of AI tools and vendors, and provides technical oversight across AI initiatives running inside Howden and with external delivery partners. When engineering work is happening - whether done internally or by third parties - this role ensures it's done to the right standard and that Howden retains genuine ownership of the output. This is an individual contributor role. It sits at the centre of a programme that touches every part of the Group, with direct access to senior stakeholders and real influence over how our AI capability develops. Key responsibilities Architecture governance Own the technical governance process for AI tools and platforms across the Group. Lead Architecture Review Board submissions, produce architecture and security design documentation, and work alongside Enterprise Architecture as the AI function's technical representative. The goal is coherent, well-governed AI infrastructure - not a patchwork of unconnected tools. Vendor and tooling assessment Lead the technical evaluation of inbound AI vendors and tools. Build a repeatable assessment framework that gives the Head of AI a clear, evidence-based view of what to adopt, what to decline, and where to build instead. Ensure that tooling decisions are grounded in architecture fit, security, data governance, and commercial sense - not just functionality. Oversight of AI delivery AI initiatives are running across multiple divisions, and external partners are actively involved in delivery. This role provides the technical oversight that ensures quality, protects Howden's IP, and prevents the organisation from becoming dependent on third parties for capability it should own internally. This isn't a hands-off review role - it requires enough depth to challenge, guide, and take accountability for outcomes. Technical enablement Set and maintain technical standards for how AI is built across the business - covering areas like agent development, knowledge retrieval, prompt engineering, and evaluation. Support colleagues and divisional AI leads who are building or deploying AI, and translate technical constraints into practical guidance that people can actually use. Technical partnership to the Head of AI Provide the technical grounding that allows the Head of AI to make well-informed decisions quickly. This means flagging risks, pressure-testing proposals, and being a genuine thought partner - not just an executor. The function is small and the relationship needs to work closely. Background and experience Essential Desirable Hands-on experience with large language models, retrieval systems, and agent frameworks Exposure to insurance or another regulated industry Cloud-native AI architecture experience Experience with enterprise AI platform governance Track record writing architecture or security design documentation Familiarity with AI evaluation and quality assurance approaches Ability to assess AI vendors and tooling rigorously and independently Experience overseeing third-party AI delivery Strong communication - equally comfortable with engineers and senior leaders Previous work in an architecture review or governance context Intellectually curious, low-ego, and comfortable moving fast in ambiguous conditions Experience in a small, high-output team What good looks like Over the first year, success in this role means: * Architecture governance runs smoothly - new tools are assessed, documented, and reviewed without creating bottlenecks or risk * A repeatable vendor assessment process is in place and being used consistently * Technical oversight of external delivery partners is formalised and effective * AI standards and best practices are being adopted across the business, not just documented * Howden is demonstrably building internal AI capability rather than outsourcing it * The Head of AI has a technical partner who makes decision-making faster and better Working in the Group AI Function The Group AI Function is deliberately small. We work directly with senior stakeholders, operate across the whole Group, and move between strategy and execution without much ceremony. The Head of AI reports to the Group CTO and works closely with divisional leadership. The pace is real and the problems are interesting. The culture values getting things right over looking right. Direct, honest, curious - and not precious about hierarchy or process for its own sake. The role carries real scope from day one and genuine influence over how the function and the broader AI capability develops.