Job Specifications
We’d all like amazing work to do, and real work-life balance. That’s waiting for you at Sainsbury’s. We’re one of the biggest supermarkets in the UK with one of the largest websites. So marketing here really happens at scale. We move a lot faster than you’d think too, across Brand Planning, Brand Comms and Creative, Digital Marketing, CRM and Loyalty, Nectar 360, Insights, and Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability. More people shopping with us each week means more interactions. And thanks to data insight, we understand customers in a way that almost nobody else does. We work alongside incredible brand partners and the best agencies around. So if you have a passion to learn, grow and experience new teams, come and explore it all with us.
About The Team
You will lead Sainsbury’s central AI Centre of Excellence (AI COE), a core function responsible for enabling safe, ethical, and value-driven AI adoption across the organisation. The AI COE works across all divisions, partnering closely with Product, Technology, Data & Analytics, Risk, Legal, and business teams. As Sainsbury’s progresses towards becoming an AI-native retailer, the team provides the governance, platforms, standards, and literacy required to embed AI responsibly at scale while delivering measurable commercial and customer value.
More About The Role
This is a senior leadership role accountable for operationalising Sainsbury’s enterprise AI strategy through the AI Centre of Excellence. You will translate strategic intent into practical frameworks, governance, and operating rhythms that enable business units to innovate with AI safely and at pace. The role owns AI governance and assurance, including oversight of the enterprise AI Register, ethical compliance, and alignment with regulatory expectations such as the UK and EU AI Acts. You will lead AI literacy and adoption programmes, partner with Engineering and Architecture on scalable AI platforms and MLOps standards, and govern responsible experimentation with emerging technologies including Generative AI. Success in this role is measured through adoption, compliance, value realisation, and cultural change across the organisation.
More About You
You are an experienced technology or data leader with a strong track record of operating at enterprise scale. You combine deep knowledge of AI and advanced analytics with pragmatic leadership, enabling you to balance innovation with governance and risk management. You are comfortable influencing senior stakeholders, shaping organisational culture, and leading through complexity and ambiguity. Your leadership style is inclusive and empowering, creating clarity, accountability, and confidence in how AI is developed and used across the business.
Essential Criteria
Demonstrable leadership experience in AI, data, or technology within large, complex organisations.
Experience of leading an AI based transformation or change across an organisation
Proven experience establishing or leading a Centre of Excellence, preferably focused on AI or advanced analytics.
Clear evidence of designing and implementing AI governance, assurance, and ethical frameworks.
Working knowledge of enterprise AI/ML platforms, MLOps practices, and model lifecycle management.
Proven ability to embed AI strategy across federated or cross-functional operating models and drive measurable adoption and value.
Desirable Criteria
Academic background in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Data Science, AI, or Business.
Proven experience establishing or leading a Centre of Excellence, preferably focused on AI or advanced analytics.
Exposure to emerging AI technologies including Generative AI, agentic systems, or autonomous solutions.
Experience operating in regulated or large-scale retail environments.
Understanding of UK and EU AI regulatory landscapes and compliance requirements.
Experience representing organisations externally on AI governance, standards, or innovation.
We are committed to being a truly inclusive retailer so you’ll be welcomed whoever you are and wherever you work. Around here, there’s always the chance to try something new — whether that’s as part of an evolving team or somewhere else across the business - and we take development seriously and promise to support you. We also recognise and celebrate colleagues when they go the extra mile and, where possible, offer flexible working. When you join our team, we’ll also offer you an amazing range of benefits. Here are some of them:
Starting off with colleague discount, you'll be able to save 10% on your shopping online and instore at Sainsbury's, Argos, TU and Habitat, and we regularly increase the discount to 15% at points during the year. We've also got you covered for your future with our pensions scheme and life cover. You'll also be able to share in our success as you may be eligible for a performance-related bonus of up to 65% of salary, depending on how we perform (in cash and shares).
Your wellbeing is
About the Company
Over 150 years old and still going strong, we’re the UK’s second-biggest retailer. Every day, the nation shops with us because they know they’ll get affordable, good food and excellent service.
We focus on great value and convenient shopping across our family of brands, from Argos, Nectar and Habitat to Sainsbury’s Bank, Smart Charge and Tu.
What’s next for Sainsbury’s?
We've put food back at the heart of our business and we’re taking Sainsbury’s to the next level. We’re investing in technology and people and we’re thinki...
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