About the job

An opportunity to shape enterprise-wide AI adoption within a leading financial institution.

Edison Smart is exclusively supporting a leading banking group in the UAE with the appointment of a Senior Manager to establish the institutions AI change and adoption programmes.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing Group Digital & AI function and play a pivotal role in one of the organisation's most important strategic transformation initiatives.

The organisation is making significant investments in Enterprise AI and Generative AI capabilities and is looking for an experienced banking transformation leader to ensure these technologies are successfully adopted, embedded and utilised across the business.

This is not a traditional Change Management position. The successful individual will take ownership of the bank-wide AI Champions and Change programme, building the structures, communities and engagement strategies required to make AI adoption successful at enterprise scale.

IMPORTANT: This is an international relocation-only opportunity based in UAE. Candidates must be currently based outside the UAE and genuinely willing to relocate.

The RoleReporting into the Group Digital & AI function, you will lead the strategy and execution of the organisation's enterprise AI change and adoption programme.You will work closely with AI Product Owners, senior business stakeholders, HR, Learning & Development and Internal Communications to ensure AI capabilities translate into meaningful changes in how employees work.

• Key responsibilities will include:AI Champions Network: Design, establish and lead a bank-wide AI Champions network, developing the operating model, selection criteria, engagement strategy and governance required to drive adoption across multiple business units.
• Enterprise AI Adoption: Own the change and adoption strategy for enterprise AI and CRM platforms, ensuring successful integration into everyday business operations.
• Change Strategy: Develop and execute comprehensive change management strategies, assessing organisational readiness, people impacts and potential barriers to adoption.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong relationships with senior business leaders, securing executive sponsorship and accountability for AI adoption outcomes.
• Employee Enablement: Partner with Learning & Development to develop AI training programmes, role-based learning pathways, prompt libraries and practical enablement resources.
• AI Engagement & Communications: Lead internal engagement campaigns, champion forums and communications that build confidence and enthusiasm around AI.
• Adoption Measurement: Monitor employee engagement, adoption levels and proficiency, identifying areas requiring additional intervention and support.
• Responsible AI: Ensure AI adoption is aligned with organisational policies, data privacy requirements and responsible AI principles.
• Product Collaboration: Work closely with AI Product Owners to capture employee feedback and influence future product enhancements.

You will also lead a dedicated team within the Champions & Change function and play an important role in developing the wider enterprise AI adoption operating model.

The Candidate We WantWe are looking for an established change and transformation leader with direct experience within the banking and financial services sector.

Direct banking experience is essential. We are particularly interested in candidates who have worked within leading international banks, ideally within a centralised AI Centre of Excellence (CoE), Chief Data & AI Office, Group Digital & AI function or similar enterprise transformation environment.

The strongest candidates will have been directly involved in establishing, scaling or leading AI adoption programmes within a large banking organisation.

• We are particularly interested in people who have:Led enterprise-wide AI adoption or Generative AI transformation programmes within a bank.
• Established or scaled AI Champions networks, communities of practice or internal AI ambassador programmes.
• Driven the adoption of AI tools across large, complex and highly regulated organisations.
• Built AI literacy, employee enablement and workforce capability programmes.
• Worked closely with senior leadership, business executives and technology teams.
• Developed change management strategies covering multiple business units and employee populations.
• Experience with Microsoft 365 Copilot, enterprise AI platforms and CRM technologies.
• A strong understanding of responsible AI adoption within regulated financial services environments.

• Essential RequirementsMinimum 7 years' experience in Change Management, Technology Adoption or Organisational Transformation.
• Minimum 4 years' direct experience within banking or financial services.
• A demonstrable track record of enterprise technology adoption, ideally with a strong focus on AI and Generative AI.
• Experience establishing and managing AI adoption programmes, communities or champion networks.
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Communications, Psychology or a related discipline.
• Professional Change Management certification, ideally Prosci or APMG.
• Excellent senior stakeholder engagement, communication and leadership capabilities.
• Experience within a central AI CoE, Chief Data & AI Office or enterprise AI transformation function would be particularly attractive.

Why Consider This Opportunity?This is an opportunity to take on a strategically important leadership position at a time when AI is fundamentally changing the banking industry.

• You will have the opportunity to:Shape how AI is adopted across an entire banking organisation.
• Build and lead an enterprise-wide AI Champions network.
• Work alongside senior AI leadership and enterprise product teams.
• Influence the organisation's long-term AI transformation strategy.
• Establish yourself within one of the Middle East's most ambitious digital and AI environments.

International Relocation – UAEThis position is based in the UAE and is open exclusively to candidates relocating internationally.For the right individual, this represents an opportunity to take a significant career step while relocating to one of the world's fastest-growing financial and technology hubs.

The UAE offers an established international banking sector, excellent global connectivity and an attractive lifestyle for internationally experienced professionals and their families.Relocation and employment package details will be discussed with shortlisted candidates.Interested?

If you have directly led AI adoption within a major banking organisation and are interested in relocating to the UAE, we would welcome a confidential conversation.

Apply directly through Edison Smart or contact our team to discuss the opportunity.

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