Head of Centre of Excellence (CoE) | Outside IR35

The Role

You will define how the AI Centre of Excellence operates, engages with delivery teams and governs AI initiatives across the organisation. Working closely with senior stakeholders, you will secure executive sponsorship, create cross-functional alignment and establish the structures, processes and controls required to support responsible AI adoption at scale.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and establish the AI Centre of Excellence, including its operating model, governance structure and service catalogue.
• Define demand intake, project assessment, prioritisation and portfolio oversight processes.
• Introduce proportionate AI governance, controls and assurance mechanisms into existing delivery life cycles.
• Develop a hub-and-spoke engagement model connecting the central CoE with business and delivery teams.
• Produce clear recommendations covering organisational design, responsibilities, workforce requirements and adoption.
• Build senior-level support, resolve competing priorities and lead the organisational change required to embed the new capability.

Essential

• Strong knowledge of AI operating models and the governance of emerging technologies.
• Experience translating CoE strategy into practical processes, services and ways of working.
• Proven ability to secure executive sponsorship and build support across multiple functions.
• Experience operating within politically complex organisations with competing stakeholder priorities.
• Strong organisational design, governance and change leadership capabilities.
• A clear, credible communication style with the vision to influence senior client stakeholders.

Desirable

• Experience establishing CoEs across AI, automation, data, digital or cloud environments.
• Knowledge of responsible AI principles, architectural assurance and AI risk management.
• Experience developing workforce plans, adoption strategies and federated operating models.

The Details

• Contract role
• IR35 Status: Outside IR35
• Rate: £600p/d - £650p/d
• Location: Remote