Head of Data and AI

About us

At National Grid, we keep people connected and society moving. But it’s so much more than that. National Grid provides the environment for our teams to thrive and make a real impact. As we drive momentum in the energy transition for all, we are committed to ensuring that every employee feels empowered and engaged. Join us as a Head of Data & AI and discover your superpower.
 

National Grid is hiring a Head of Data & AI. This position can be based at NG House, Warwick or the Strand, London. 

About The Role

We are seeking a strategic leader for the role of Head of Data & AI within our Business Unit IT and Digital function. In this pivotal position, you will shape and execute our data and artificial intelligence strategy, transforming data into a core business asset that drives intelligent decision-making, operational excellence, and customer-centric innovation.

As we prepare for significant investment in Enabling Data and Integration, you will lead the enhancement of our data platform capabilities, including Data Quality Tooling, Graph/Knowledge Databases, and GenAI enablement. You will also oversee the uplift of Data Fabric and iPaaS platforms, ensuring seamless integration and compliance with industry standards.

This role champions a data-driven culture, embedding AI insights and automation across processes while ensuring ethical and secure AI adoption. You will work closely with IT, digital, and business teams, leading a high-performing matrixed team of data engineers, AI specialists, and data scientists.

If you are passionate about driving innovation and leading in the data and AI space, we want to hear from you! Join us in shaping the future of our organisation.

What You'll Do

• Data Management: Set the strategic direction for data governance and stewardship, ensuring secure, ethical, and value-driven use of data assets.
• Strategic Planning: Lead the enterprise-wide data and AI strategy, aligning with organisational priorities and decentralised delivery models.
• AI and Data Ethics: Embed ethical principles in the design and governance of AI and data, fostering responsible innovation and trust.
• Information Assurance: Manage risks related to data use, storage, and transmission, ensuring robust information security.
• Compliance: Ensure adherence to data legislation by embedding governance and accountability into data practices.
• Data Modelling and Design: Oversee data modelling and design, ensuring consistency and scalability across all domains.
• Data Analytics: Drive data-driven decision-making by enabling accessible analytics capabilities and promoting insight-led performance.
• Data Science: Champion the strategic use of data science to drive innovation and support data-informed decision-making.
• Machine Learning: Develop the roadmap for responsible machine learning adoption, aligning with organisational objectives.
• Data Engineering: Provide oversight for the design and governance of scalable, secure data pipelines and real-time processing capabilities.
• Governance: Define and operate governance frameworks that support decision-making, risk management, and compliance.
• Stakeholder Management: Lead the development of engagement strategies for Data Enablement, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives.

In this role, you will also define and delegate performance management objectives to align with organisational strategy while fostering a culture of empowerment and high performance. You will promote cross-functional collaboration, cultivate a future-ready workforce through professional development, and strategically plan for data-specific skills to support Data Enablement objectives. Additionally, you will define the resourcing strategy, enable effective budgeting and forecasting, drive financial stewardship through 

About You

• You have extensive experience in senior Data and AI leadership roles, driving strategic initiatives and inspiring teams.
• Your familiarity with the Data Mesh operating model enables you to navigate complex data environments with ease.
• You excel at engaging with C-suite executives and board members, building strong relationships that foster collaboration across all levels of the organisation.
• You possess the ability to translate intricate technical concepts into clear business language, ensuring strategies are understood and embraced by all stakeholders.
• With a keen eye on current and emerging technology trends, you leverage best practices to propel innovation.
• Your experience in a heavily matrixed organisation equips you with the skills to deliver results while managing diverse teams.
• You have a solid understanding of governance, risk, compliance, and controls in Data and AI, positioning you as a trusted leader in ensuring ethical and responsible data practices.

What You'll Get

• Competitive Salary
• Bonus: 20% On Target with a max award of 40%
• Full Electric Company Car

Additional benefits:

•  Flexible benefits such as a cycle scheme, share incentive plan, technology schemes
• Ongoing career development and support to help you cover the cost of professional membership subscriptions, course fees, books, examination fees and time off for study leave – so long as it is relevant to your role
• Access to apps such as digital GP service for round the clock access to GP video consultations and NHS repeat prescriptions, wellbeing app to support your health and fitness
• Access to Work + Family Space, providing support and resources for work and family life, including paid emergency childcare and eldercare

More Information

This role is offered on a Full-Time, Permanent basis. 

 
We are also offering hybrid /flexible working where travel to the office will be as per business need. Base location for this role will be The Strand, London or Warwick, UK.

 
This role closes on 22nd October 2025; however, we strongly encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible, as we reserve the right to close the advert early.

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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

National Grid is an equal opportunity employer that values a broad diversity of talent, knowledge, experience and expertise. We foster a culture of inclusion that drives employee engagement to deliver superior performance to the communities we serve. National Grid is proud to be an affirmative action employer. We encourage minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to join the National Grid team.