Head of Data & AI

Salary: £42,000 - 82,000 per year

Requirements:

• We are looking for a strategic leader who can translate AI potential into business value, drive organisation-wide change, and influence at the highest levels.
• We need a credible and influential leader who is confident operating at Executive and Operating Board level to secure alignment, sponsorship and commitment.
• We need an exceptional stakeholder manager who can collaborate and build strong partnerships across business functions to shape priorities and drive change.
• We need a people-focused leader with experience developing high-performing teams, fostering innovation, and embedding new ways of working.
• We need deep, hands-on experience of agentic AI, machine learning, and AI deployment in production environments.
• Experience building an AI or Data Science capability from the ground up is preferred.
• We need a proven track record of developing compelling business cases, securing Board-level investment, and translating AI strategy into measurable business outcomes.
• We need someone comfortable acting as the organisations leading voice on AI and data across a large and complex business.
• We need demonstrable experience leading business transformation and embedding new ways of working through technology and AI.
• Significant leadership experience within a large-scale Data, Analytics and/or AI function in a consumer-facing, retail, hospitality or FMCG environment is required.
• We need a strong understanding of modern cloud data platforms such as Databricks, business intelligence, data governance and master data management.
• We need proven ability to work effectively with technology, engineering and product teams to deliver strategic business objectives.

Responsibilities:

• Define and deliver our AI strategy, taking the business from AI experimentation to controlled, scalable and sustainable delivery, with agentic AI at the heart of the opportunity.
• Own and deliver our machine learning roadmap, business case and operating model for AI, securing Operating Board investment to deliver meaningful business outcomes.
• Identify, prioritise and scale AI opportunities across our business, embedding AI into the way we operate and make decisions.
• Act as a catalyst for change, helping colleagues across the organisation understand, adopt and maximise the value of AI.
• Lead and grow our AI capability, including AI Product, Data Science, AI Productivity and AI Governance.
• Establish the frameworks, governance and controls required to ensure AI is deployed responsibly, balancing innovation with appropriate risk management.
• Drive AI capability across the organisation through initiatives such as our AI Academy, AI Champions network and adoption programmes for knowledge workers.
• Provide leadership for our Data Platform, Business Intelligence, Data Science and Analytics teams, ensuring reliable, scalable and trusted data services.
• Continue the evolution of our Databricks platform and analytics capability, helping the business become increasingly insight and decision-led.
• Ensure data foundations, governance and reporting capabilities support our wider AI ambitions.
• Lead our Master Data function, maintaining high-quality, trusted data that supports operational excellence and strategic decision making.
• Oversee the Business Analysis and business-aligned delivery teams, ensuring a clear link between business challenges, AI opportunities and measurable outcomes.
• Work closely with technology, product and business leaders across functions including Retail, People, Property, Finance, Supply Chain and Commercial to shape priorities and deliver value.
• Build and inspire high-performing teams, creating a culture of innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Act as our leading voice on Data and AI, influencing stakeholders at all levels and helping shape the future direction of the business.

Technologies:

• Agentic AI
• AI
• Business Intelligence
• Cloud
• Databricks
• Support
• Machine Learning
• Network

More:

We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Data and AI at Greggs, based at Greggs House in Newcastle Upon Tyne. This is a full-time, permanent role, with flexibility considered in line with business needs. We offer a competitive package including a management bonus scheme worth up to 30% of salary, pension contributions up to 7%, company car or car allowance, colleague discounts, profit share, annual leave, private medical insurance, income protection, death in service benefit, wellbeing support, savings and discounts, and career progression and learning and development opportunities. We are a company that cares about our communities, the environment and being a better business, and we want all of our colleagues to feel welcome and able to be themselves at work.

last updated 36 week of 2026