AI Application Lead (Part-Time, Job-Share, Full-Time)

Location: UK base (hybrid or fully remote)

Closing date for applications: 25th October 2024

The opportunity:

Data and AI are at the core of Zurich’s digital transformation. We are looking for an innovative, visionary, hands-on AI expert who possesses the passion and experience to take a leading role on AI and ML at Zurich. You will join our Data Science team in the UK, who have been successfully using AI/ML to drive value for our business. As we continue to deliver, we are looking for a talented individual to take ownership of our existing AI tools, and to develop these into applications for business-use, while working with colleagues to build new ones.

We are looking for someone who is proficient in using AI/ML to solve business problems, and is also passionate about people, enjoying mentoring and supporting colleagues to do the same. You will be an expert in creating applications out of AI deliveries, with a deep knowledge of AI/ML and the ability to build user interfaces while working with business stakeholders to ensure we deliver what they need. You will support the team in designing end-to-end solutions encompassing development, deployment, and testing, all while ensuring best practices are followed. By making use of our cloud infrastructure, you will deploy APIs, applications, and other resources directly to serve the business.

This is an excellent opportunity to take advantage of emerging AI trends to make a real-world difference. To do this we are looking for an individual with a passion for innovative AI technology and who wants to work with a team of talented data scientists and engineers to design and develop the next generation of our data solutions. You will join a passionate and supportive team who are developing multiple high-impact AI/ML solutions, and who share your enjoyment of all things AI/ML.

Many of our employees work flexibly in a variety of different ways, including part-time, flexible hours, job share, an element of working from home or compressed hours. This is because we want the best people for our roles, and we recognise that sometimes those people aren’t available full-time. Please talk to us at the interview about the flexibility you may need.

What will you be doing?

You will take a key role in our digital transformation redefining the way we work, our solutions and enterprise platforms.

As AI application lead, your main responsibilities will involve:

• Own the strategy for updating and improving our existing portfolio of AI applications, ensuring we continue to use the best of our technology from the Zurich estate while providing best value to the business.
• Develop AI applications in conjunction with colleagues, with a focus on the end-user experience including UI development, and resilient design through MLOps.
• Act as a thought-leader for UI development best-practice on AI applications at Zurich, including how we present a consistent and resilient offering to the business.
• Develop and deploy AI applications using cloud tools in Azure and AWS using infrastructure-as-code e.g. Terraform.
• Understand company challenges and how integrating AI capabilities can help create solutions. Work to solve business problems using ML/AI, in situations where the requirements may be ambiguous.
• Collaborate with colleagues to identify and prioritize key areas of our business where AI solutions can drive significant business benefit.
• Ensure high ethical standards are set and maintained when using ML/AI at Zurich.
• Translate technology to business users, to motivate and excite them to use and apply AI technology. Act as an advocate for AI/ML in the business, communicating our work to stakeholders and emphasizing its business value.
• Act as a mentor to junior colleagues, including code reviews to support their learning and to ensure our deliveries are robust.
  
  

What are we looking for?

Your skills and experience will ideally include:

• Experience deploying AI applications in a commercial environment, particularly where these applications have driven significant business value.
• Experience creating user interfaces and business applications to enable non-technical users to interact with AI applications. Experience in front-end development using frameworks such as React, Angular, to build intuitive and user-friendly interfaces.
• Comfortable with taking a strategic approach to AI application development, advising on how to best offer a consistent package and keeping up-to-date as technology develops.
• Knowledge of infrastructure-as-code e.g. Terraform and experience using this to deploy AI applications to the AWS and/or Azure cloud.
• Strong knowledge of AI/ML technology and development practices.
• Experience using Microsoft Azure and/or AWS cloud services and Python to deliver machine learning solutions in a commercial environment, as part of an end-to-end solution, working within CI/CD and MLOps practices.
• Python proficiency, comfortable handling pull requests for junior and senior team members.
• Experience with RESTful APIs and asynchronous request handling.
• Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to articulate complex data issues and to gain the support from internal and external and executive stakeholders
• Strong analytical, structured and interdisciplinary way of thinking and working, including the ability to think creatively with data and being comfortable with complex and ambiguous problem-solving
• Comfortable working in a business environment where stakeholders will not have all of the answers, understanding the need to be practical and to deliver for the business
• An understanding of the importance of team culture, and a demonstrable ability to act as a role model to maintain a culture of curiosity, support and honesty.
  
  

Nice to have:

• Knowledge of SQL and R
• Experience with AWS Sagemaker
• Experience with Snowflake
• Experience with Streamlit
• Experience with Databricks
• Experience in mentoring or teaching
• Master’s degree or PhD in Physics, Mathematics, Data Science or Computer Science or related equivalent.
  
  

As an inclusive employer, we want to ensure that all candidates feel comfortable and can perform at their best during the interview. You’ll have the opportunity to let us know of any reasonable adjustment or practical support needed when you apply.

Who we are:

At Zurich we aspire to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world and the best global insurer. Together we’re creating a brighter future for our customers, our people and our planet.

With over 55,000 employees in more than 170 countries, you’ll feel the support of being part of a strong and stable company who are a long-standing player in the insurance industry.

We’ve made a promise to each other and every employee; to focus on sustainable impact, to care about each other’s wellbeing, to use our diverse expertise to be curious and optimistic and to develop the skills needed for our future.

If you're interested in working in a dynamic and challenging environment for a company that recognises and rewards your creativity, initiatives and contributions - then Zurich could be just the place for you. Be part of something great.

Our Culture:

At Zurich, our sense of community is strong and we’re particularly passionate about diversity and inclusion, which we’ve won numerous awards for. We want our people to bring the whole of themselves to work and ensure everybody is made to feel welcome, regardless of their background, beliefs or culture. We want our employees to reflect the diversity of our customers, and so are committed to treating all of our applicants fairly and with respect, irrespective of their actual or assumed background, disability or any other protected characteristic.

We’ve an environment that places a real importance on our people’s wellbeing from a physical, mental, social and financial perspective. We work with our wellbeing partners and industry experts to provide the best advice and access to a wealth of lifestyle support. We’re also committed to continuous improvement, and we offer access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities.

We’re passionate about supporting employees to help others by getting involved in volunteering, charitable and community activity. Our charitable arm, Zurich Community Trust, is one of the longest-established corporate trusts in the UK. In that time, we’ve awarded grants and volunteered time to deserving causes in the UK valued at over £90 million.

So make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported, Love what you do. Work for us.