AI & Transformation Manager - London, Permanent
Join Pay.UK as our AI & Transformation Manager and help shape how AI is used in a national payments environment that supports services people and businesses rely on every day. This is a leadership role with practical scope: you will turn AI opportunities into clear plans, guide delivery, and help colleagues adopt new ways of working with confidence.
You will work in a context that is both meaningful and specific. Pay.UK maintains and develops the UK retail payment systems and standards, including services that processes 11 billion transactions worth over £10 trillion annually. If you are looking for a role where you can combine transformation leadership with responsible use of AI in a complex, regulated setting, we would like to hear from you.
Accountabilities
- Identify practical AI use cases across Pay.UK’s work and translate them into clear transformation priorities, plans and delivery milestones.
- Manage AI and transformation initiatives from discovery through implementation, ensuring objectives, timelines, risks and dependencies are well managed.
- Work with teams across the organisation to review current processes and redesign them using AI, automation or improved operating approaches where appropriate.
- Prepare business cases, status updates and decision papers that explain options, benefits, risks and delivery requirements in clear language.
- Establish governance for AI initiatives, including oversight of controls, responsible use, data considerations and alignment with organisational standards.
- Track the progress and outcomes of transformation activity, using measures that show adoption, operational improvement and delivery against agreed objectives.
- Support leaders and teams through change by creating implementation plans, guidance and communication that help colleagues understand new tools and processes.
- Coordinate with internal stakeholders and external partners to define requirements, resolve dependencies and align AI and transformation initiatives with Pay.UK’s priorities, systems and operating environment.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience
- Experience managing AI, digital, or business transformation initiatives from planning through delivery within a complex organizational environment.
- Experience translating business needs into structured change plans, delivery roadmaps and clear metrics.
- Knowledge of AI implementation requirements, including governance, risk management, controls and responsible use within an organisational setting.
- Experience partnering with senior stakeholders to develop business cases, inform decision-making and coordinate delivery across multiple teams.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills, including experience producing clear decision papers, updates and guidance for different audiences.
- Pay.UK Behaviours
At Pay.UK, our behaviours are central to who we are and how we operate. They bring our values to life, shape our culture, and guide how we make decisions, collaborate, and respond to challenges across the payments ecosystem. All interview processes will assess the following behaviours:
- Listen to Find Win-Wins - Empathy, Listening and Understanding
- Influence with Courage - Influence, Courage
- Go Horizontal First - Cross Boundary Collaboration
- Take Ownership - Self Development
- Opportunity Mindset - Initiative
- Simplify - Achievement Orientation
In addition, all leadership roles are expected to lead by example through the following behaviours:
- Set Direction - Strategic Planning, Team leadership
- Hold Colleagues to Account - Accountability
- Coach & Grow Your Colleagues - Develop Others
At Pay.UK, we value diversity and inclusivity. Research has shown that candidates from underrepresented groups may hesitate to apply unless they meet all the requirements listed. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of how closely their skills and experience match the requirements. We are committed to supporting accessibility needs and creating a welcoming environment for all employees. Become part of our team and contribute to the creation of an inclusive work environment that values everyone's unique input.
Who we arePay.UK maintains and develops the UK retail payment systems and standards that are core to the economy being able to function on a day-to-day basis.
From Bacs to Faster Payments and cheques – we act as the single operator for all UK retail payments. We put the needs of consumers and businesses at the heart of everything we do, working in the public interest to ensure that the systems the country relies on for its banking transactions are safe, open, innovative and resilient.
Our payment systems underpin the services that enable funds to be transferred between people and institutions. In 2024, the UK's retail payment systems processed 11 billion transactions worth over £10 trillion through Bacs Direct Credit, Direct Debit, Faster Payments, and cheques, and our Current Account Switch Service has facilitated over 9 million switches since it’s launch in 2013.
Every day, individuals and businesses use the services we provide to get their salaries, pay their bills and make online and mobile banking payments. Our vision for the future is to enable a vibrant economy, with Pay.UK delivering robust payment infrastructure and standards for the benefit of consumers and businesses nationwide.
Learn more about life at Pay.UK by hearing what employees have to say, click here to view videos.
Benefits & additional information- 12% Non-contributory pension
- Discretionary annual bonus
- 30 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays)
- Private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, health cash plan, dental insurance, Bupa medicals etc
- Employee assistance programme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Season ticket loan
- Annual fitness subsidy of up to £500 per annum
- Working from home policy - minimum 40% in the office (eg. 2 days in the office over a 5 day working week)
Please note:
- Some of our benefits are only available to colleagues after meeting the requirements of the probationary period.
Skills Required
- Experience managing AI, digital, or business transformation initiatives from planning through delivery within a complex organisational environment.
- Experience translating business needs into structured change plans, delivery roadmaps and clear metrics.
- Knowledge of AI implementation requirements, including governance, risk management, controls and responsible use within an organisational setting.
- Experience partnering with senior stakeholders to develop business cases, inform decision-making and coordinate delivery across multiple teams.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills, including producing decision papers, updates and guidance for different audiences.
- Demonstrable leadership behaviours aligned to Pay.UK behaviours (listen, influence, collaborate, ownership, simplify) and leadership expectations (set direction, hold accountable, coach).
What We Do
Pay.UK is the recognised operator and standards body for the UK's interbank payment systems, maintaining and developing these systems to enable a vibrant economy. Its purpose is to power payments, champion innovation, and provide choice in how the UK pays.
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