Data Science Guild Lead

AXA UK’s Data and AI Strategy team leads the way in data science, ML and AI product development and governance. The Data Science Guild sits at the heart of this effort, driving the portfolio of DS, ML and AI products and IP, setting standards, and collaborating across UK&I and Group to maintain AXA’s competitive edge through high-quality technical delivery.

As Head of UK Data Science, you’ll shape and execute the Data Science strategy for AXA, guiding solution development, governance, and capacity planning. You’ll lead a network of data science professionals, work closely with Data & AI Strategy, Data Science Tribe Leads, AI Delivery Leads and Product Owners, and ensure our DS/AI initiatives deliver measurable business value while aligning with the AI Vision and regulatory requirements.

At AXA we work smart, empowering our people to balance their time between home and the office in a way that works best for them, their team and our customers. You'll work at least two days a week (40%) away from home, moving to three days a week (60%) in the future. Away from home means either attendance at one of our office locations, visiting clients or attending industry events. We’re also happy to consider flexible working arrangements, which you can discuss with Talent Acquisition.

Seniority level: Director

Employment type: Full-time

Job function: Engineering and Information Technology

Location: Bristol, England, United Kingdom

• 
  
• Collaborate with the Data and AI Strategy team to build short, mid, and long-term AI roadmaps for data science–driven products and IP.
  
• Guide AI, ML, and Data Science solution development, evaluation, monitoring, and operations.
  
• Responsible for generating AXA’s proprietary IP and reusable data science products across UK&I and Group, evaluating and integrating best-in‑class market solutions where appropriate.
  
• Define and maintain standards, governance, and delivery practices for AI and data science, ensuring alignment with group‑wide governance and lifecycle requirements.
  
• Establish robust, repeatable processes around resourcing with strong controls; represent Data Science across UK&I at Group level.
  
• Lead the thought leadership of the Data Science Guild, staying current with industry trends and managing resource demand in collaboration with Tribe Leads, AI Delivery Leads, and Product Owners.
  
• Manage AI Hub demand and prioritisation; validate backlog and accelerate delivery through reuse of data science products, tools, and models; foster research and innovation.
  
• Define and uphold Data Science best practices, standards and AI governance; collaborate with ML/AI/Data Engineering Guilds to harmonise standards across the development lifecycle.
  

• 
  
• Strong experience in a technical/data science role.
  
• Strong understanding of data science, machine learning, generative and agentic AI methods, theory and best practices.
  
• Proven experience providing technical leadership in a product team or domain.
  
• Excellent knowledge of research and development lifecycles and product ways of working.
  
• Experience in the Insurance/Financial Services industry.
  
• Ability to lead and work effectively in a team, while being self‑sufficient and proactive.
  
• Excellent interpersonal, collaboration and communication skills.
  
• Proficiency with Agile practices and value‑stream level ceremonies, including demand management and capacity planning.
  
• Technical stack familiarity (e.g., Azure Data Lake, Databricks, DevOps, Git, SQL, Python, PySpark) to guide delivery and architecture.
  

As a precondition of employment for this role, you must be eligible and authorised to work in the United Kingdom.

• 
  
• Competitive annual salary dependent on experience
  
• Annual company & performance‑based bonus
  
• Contributory pension scheme (up to 12% employer contributions)
  
• Life Assurance (up to 10 x annual salary)
  
• Private medical cover
  
• 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
  
• Opportunity to buy up to 5 extra days leave or sell up to 5 days leave
  
• Wellbeing services & resources
  
• AXA employee discounts
  

To apply, click on the ‘apply for this job’ button, you’ll then need to log in or create a profile to submit your CV.

We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer and don’t discriminate against employees or potential employees based on protected characteristics. If you have a long‑term condition or disability and require adjustments during the application or interview process, we’re proud to offer access to the AXA Accessibility Concierge. For our support, please send an email to daniel.harrison@axa‑uk.co.uk.

AXA UK Support Functions power AXA’s three customer‑facing business units, providing the infrastructure, support and expertise to ensure our customers can always count on us. Whether you’ve got heaps of experience and qualifications behind you, or you’re just starting out, we’ll give you the support and opportunities to help you grow and develop with confidence.