The Role
Manage the AI efficiency programme end-to-end during maternity cover: maintain governance and reporting rhythms, run and embed AI workstreams into operational workflows, measure and aggregate impact, and engage senior stakeholders to drive adoption and efficiency gains.
Summary Generated by Built In
WGSN is the global leader in consumer trend forecasting and an Apax portfolio company. AI is now a core value-creation lever across the business, run as a single, structured programme rather than scattered experiments. We are looking for an AI Programme Manager to take over the running of that programme for the duration of a maternity leave.
This is a delivery role, managing strategic transformation, not a research one. The AI efficiency programme already exists, with a defined governance model, an active project register and an executive reporting rhythm spanning Sales & Marketing, Finance, Engineering and Customer Success. The priority is to take it over cleanly, keep momentum on live workstreams, report back clearly to the Executive Committee, and deliver measurable efficiency and productivity gains.
We are looking for a transformation operator who can embed AI into how the business actually works, address the wider implications for the operating model, and manage the people change that comes with it.
The Team
This position sits within the Strategy team but performs a cross-functional role liaising with stakeholders across the business including Excom and Senior Management Group members.
Key Accountabilities
- PROGRAMME DELIVERY AND GOVERNANCE
- Take over and run the AI efficiency programme end to end, manage the cross-programme view and oversee individual workstreams.
- Maintain the operating rhythm: regular initiative updates, periodic portfolio refreshes and executive reporting (including monthly Board updates).
- Coordinate across Function Captains and workstream owners in Sales & Marketing, Finance and Customer Success, surfacing patterns, dependencies and risks. Apply the same approach to other functions as capacity allows.
- Keep the programme disciplined and structured — clear ownership, sponsorship and progress tracking — rather than letting it fragment into ad hoc activity.
- DELIVERY OF AI WORKSTREAMS
- Run individual initiatives from idea to a working, adopted output — embedding AI into operational workflows, not just piloting it
- Partner with stakeholders across functions to translate operational problems into practical AI solutions
- Build and shape tools, collateral and supporting materials directly where needed
- MEASUREMENT AND REPORTING
- Maintain a consistent way of measuring impact across different initiative types — project-based, adoption-based and capability-based
- Keep a shared impact measure that lets progress be aggregated and communicated at executive level, with a clear line to efficiency and productivity gains
- Coordinate and capture the broader efficiency gains from AI adoption across teams and tools
- STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS
- Keep the portfolio visible and credible across the business
- Act as the link between the executive sponsor, delivery and operational teams
- Build trust and engagement across functions, working through influence rather than direct line management as the link between the executive sponsor, delivery and operational teams
This list is not exhaustive and there may be other activities you are required to deliver.
Skills, experience & qualifications required
- ESSENTIAL
- 8-10 years+ in strategy, transformation or value creation — ideally from a top-tier strategy or transformation consultancy (MBB or comparable) and/or an in-house transformation role
- A proven track record of embedding AI/tools into operational workflows and delivering measurable efficiency or productivity gains — not theoretical AI knowledge
- Experience running a programme, portfolio or set of cross-functional initiatives, ideally taking on and maintaining something already in flight
- Strong organisational and coordination skills, keeping multiple workstreams moving and visible
Comfort working hands-on — building tools, materials and analysis — as well as managing at programme level - Strong stakeholder management, with a track record of influencing across functions without direct authority
- Clear, direct communication; credible with senior stakeholders, including at executive level
- DESIRABLE
- Experience in a PE-owned business and fluency with a value-creation agenda
- Experience defining impact or value measurement for a portfolio of initiatives
- Exposure to AI tooling and internal transformation work in a fast-moving environment where standards and tooling are still maturing
What we offer
Our benefits and wellbeing package offers flexible benefits you can tailor to your own personal needs, including:
- 25 days of holiday per year - with an option to buy/ sell up to 5 days
- Pension, Life Assurance and Income Protection Flexible benefits platform with options including Private Medical, Dental Insurance & Critical Illness
- Employee assistance programme, season ticket loans and cycle to work scheme
- Volunteering opportunities and charitable giving options
- Great learning and development opportunities.
More about WGSN
WGSN is the global authority on consumer trend forecasting.
We help brands around the world create the right products at the right time for tomorrow’s consumer.
Our values
We Are Everywhere
The future is everything, it happens everywhere. WGSN is the world-leading forecaster because we track and analyse consumer behaviours, product innovation, design and creativity, everywhere.
We Are Future Focused
We utilise our global resources and intelligence to research, source and analyse quantitative and qualitative data to produce our forecasts. Everything we do is focused on working with our customers to create a successful and positive tomorrow.
We Are Rigorous
We source, review and assess quantitative and qualitative data to produce robust, actionable forecasts. To provide credible insights and design solutions for our clients, it is essential that rigour runs through everything we do.
Our culture
An inclusive culture is one of our key priorities. We want our people to truly be themselves and thrive. We love having a diverse team of people who bring new ideas, different strengths and perspectives & reflect the global audience we work with.
Inclusive workforce
We are committed to supporting the environment and sustainability, including ensuring our pension plan defaults to sustainable options and striving to be net zero by 2030.
Recognising great performance is a key part of our culture. Our Awards schemes recognise and reward the brilliant achievements of our people.
We offer a flexible working environment with a wide range of flexible, hybrid and agile working arrangements. Conversations about flexible working have always been—and will continue to be—actively encouraged here, but we do not offer full remote working.
We want to ensure everyone has the opportunity to perform their best when interviewing, so if you require any reasonable adjustments that would make you more comfortable during the process, please let us know so that we can do our best to support you.
A Note for Applicants
We use AI to help our team screen applications and identify candidates whose skills and experience match the role. This technology removes personal information to promote a fair and unbiased process. We believe this tool helps us find the best talent while maintaining transparency and fairness.
A Note for Recruiters
Thank you so much for your interest in working with us at WGSN! Our internal Talent Acquisition team takes care of all our recruitment efforts. When we need some extra help, we partner with agencies on our Preferred Supplier List (PSL) that truly understand our business, culture and ways of working together. Since we focus on these established partnerships, we’re unable to respond to unsolicited contacts or CVs from outside our PSL. But don’t worry! If we decide to explore new partnerships, we’ll be sure to reach out.
Skills Required
- 8-10+ years in strategy, transformation or value creation (top-tier consultancy or in-house transformation)
- Proven track record embedding AI/tools into operational workflows and delivering measurable efficiency or productivity gains
- Experience running a programme, portfolio or cross-functional initiatives, ideally taking on and maintaining something already in flight
- Strong organisational and coordination skills to keep multiple workstreams moving and visible
- Comfort working hands-on (building tools, materials, analysis) as well as managing at programme level
- Strong stakeholder management and ability to influence across functions without direct authority
- Clear, direct communication; credible with senior stakeholders, including executive level
- Experience in a PE-owned business and fluency with a value-creation agenda
- Experience defining impact or value measurement for a portfolio of initiatives
- Exposure to AI tooling and internal transformation work in a fast-moving environment
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The Company
What We Do
WGSN is the global authority on consumer trend forecasting. We help brands around the world create the right products at the right time for tomorrow’s consumer. WGSN's trusted consumer and design forecasts power outstanding product design, enabling our customers to create a better future. Our services cover consumer insights, beauty, consumer tech, fashion, interiors, lifestyle, food and drink forecasting, data analytics and expert advisory.
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