Head of Digital & AI

About the Role

We're working with a high-growth, Private Equity-backed retail and hospitality group, currently undergoing a major period of digital transformation. They are seeking a Head of Digital & AI to lead the integration of digital and AI-enabled initiatives across their retail estate, enhancing the customer experience and driving operational efficiency.

This permanent position sits at senior leadership level and offers the opportunity to shape strategy, oversee delivery, and play a pivotal role in the organisation's transformation agenda, including their EV infrastructure rollout.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and governance across a portfolio of digital and AI-enabled programmes.
• Oversee delivery of CRM, CDP, EPOS, digital signage, and order/pay solutions through a team of project managers.
• Drive adoption of AI use cases, including customer flow analysis, safety monitoring, stock management, and back-office operational AI tools.
• Ensure digital and AI initiatives are integrated into a cohesive customer experience strategy.
• Manage third-party vendors and partners, ensuring quality and value from external delivery.
• Act as a senior technology leader, balancing corporate credibility with pragmatic delivery oversight.

Must have Requirements

• Proven track record in retail, hospitality, or consumer-facing technology leadership.
• Experience overseeing CRM and CDP programmes in a multi-site environment.
• Demonstrated exposure to AI in operational/retail settings (e.g. vision tech, customer behaviour analysis, inventory management).
• Currently operating at Head of level (strategy, governance, and oversight, not just delivery management).
• Strong background in supplier/vendor management and large-scale digital transformation.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and leadership skills.

Key Stakeholders

Executive leadership team, Project & Programme Managers, third-party vendors, Commercial, Finance, HR, and Retail Operations.

What's on Offer

• £110,000 - £115,000 base salary + car allowance + benefits.
• Hybrid working (2 days per week in Milton Keynes office).
• Opportunity to lead high-impact digital and AI transformation in a fast-growing, PE-backed business.
• Long-term career progression in a dynamic and innovative environment.