AI Technical Lead

Overview

As AI Technical Lead you will own architecture governance for Howden’s AI initiatives, acting as the technical authority within the Group AI Function. You’ll evaluate AI tools and vendors, oversee AI delivery with internal and external partners, and set technical standards for AI development across the business. You work closely with senior stakeholders to ensure responsible ownership of outputs and strong governance. This role offers a rare chance to shape Howden’s AI capability from the ground up in a fast-paced, cross-divisional environment.

Pay / Benefits

• Reasonable adjustments
• Flexible hours
• Hybrid working
• Diversity values

Responsibilities

• Own the technical governance process for AI tools and platforms across the Group; lead Architecture Review Board submissions and documentation
• Lead the technical evaluation of inbound AI vendors and tools; build a repeatable assessment framework
• Provide technical oversight of AI initiatives across divisions and external delivery partners
• Set and maintain technical standards for AI development (agent development, knowledge retrieval, prompt engineering, evaluation)
• Provide technical partnership to Head of AI, flag risks, and support rapid decision-making

Key requirements

• 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 with engineers and senior leaders
• Previous work in an architecture review or governance context
• Intellectually curious, low-ego, comfortable in ambiguity
• Experience in a small, high-output team

• Strong communication
• Adaptability in fast-changing environment
• Collaborative mindset with cross-functional teams
• Large language models
• Retrieval systems
• Agent frameworks

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