Purpose of the role
The internal application of generative AI (Gen AI) within our core Research and Consulting operations will be pivotal to our ability to optimise and interpret sources, accelerate the production of deliverables and augment our collective human intelligence.
Gen AI clearly has a huge potential for our industry and our business, but the successful implementation required to deliver on that potential requires focus, partnership, planning and communication.
Across the business, we have a wealth of research knowledge, technical skills, and interest in AI that we need to harness in a thoughtful and coordinated way. To that end, the Director of Gen AI will continue to lead the commercial application and integration of generative AI into Passport and our other client-facing platforms. Our Enterprise Technology function will focus on driving broader AI adoption across business-wide applications such as Microsoft Copilot. This structure allows for a clear focus on Research and Consulting-specific AI objectives—those that drive innovation and efficiency from within—under the leadership of a newly appointed 'Head of Research AI'.
The Head of Research AI will report to the Director of Gen AI and work closely with Enterprise Technology, Data Science, and other departments to ensure maximum impact and minimum duplication of efforts. This collaborative approach will enable us to leverage our collective expertise while maintaining alignment with our overall AI strategy.
Description
We are looking for a results focused leader to convert the potential we know Gen AI has into new processes and innovative tools that make a measurable difference to how our Research and Consulting teams work. In this pivotal role, you will drive the development and implementation of novel Gen AI applications through a group of dedicated Project Managers and work with Data Science and Technology stakeholders to ensure optimal delivery.
Our Research and Consulting teams are your customers and your ability to marry successful technical implementation with proactive communication and stakeholder management is arguably as important as the Gen AI application itself.
Gen AI is an area that is quickly evolving and so keeping abreast of developments from the external environment, as well as where else within the business it is being implemented will be required.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership:
- Collaborate closely with the Director of Gen AI to define and lead the organisation's research strategy for Gen AI, ensuring alignment with the overall business goals and market intelligence needs.
- Build and maintain a network to identify ideas, emerging trends and potential disruptions within the Gen AI landscape, both internally and externally.
- Develop a framework for evaluating ideas and initiatives, determining resource allocation based on value and scalability, and applying this framework across all or part of the research team’s activities.
- Utilise this framework to assess the value of building in-house solutions versus buying external ones.
- Secure executive buy-in and allocate resources effectively to ensure successful execution of the Research and Consulting agendas.
Team Management:
- Inspire a high-performing team of Gen AI Project Managers, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
- Empower and mentor your team, providing clear direction, setting ambitious goals, and fostering a supportive environment for growth.
- Implement effective performance management practices to ensure individual and team accountability for achieving research objectives.
- Define the optimal balance of full-time team members, while also mentoring and developing individuals, ideas, and initiatives.
Gen AI Expertise:
- Collaborate with internal engineering teams to ensure seamless integration of Gen AI solutions into existing workflows and infrastructure.
- Stay abreast of the latest advancements in Gen AI research and identify opportunities for application within the market intelligence domain.
- Contribute to the development of internal best practices and guidelines for responsible AI development and deployment.
Project Oversight & Guidance:
- Offer strategic guidance and oversight to Gen AI Project Managers, ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet established quality standards and required ROI levels.
- Develop a comprehensive research roadmap, prioritising projects with the highest potential impact on market intelligence capabilities.
- Proactively identify and address potential roadblocks, ensuring efficient project execution and timely delivery of high-impact results.
Communication & Change Management:
- Champion change management initiatives to ensure successful adoption of Gen AI solutions within the organisation, addressing potential concerns and fostering a culture of innovation.
- Communicate and advocate for the potential of AI, while also providing clear guidance on its limitations and most effective applications.
- Foster strong relationships with internal teams across the organisation, including Research, Consulting, Data Science, Technology and Enterprise Systems.
- Develop compelling presentations and reports to showcase the value proposition of Gen AI research and secure ongoing support from leadership.
Skills & Experience
- Proven track record of leading and managing research or project management teams, demonstrably delivering successful outcomes.
- In-depth knowledge and understanding of market intelligence principles and practices, with a passion for leveraging AI to enhance insights generation.
- A strong passion for innovation and a demonstrably positive impact through the application of Gen AI.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and presentation skills, with the ability to tailor messages to diverse audiences.
- Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
- Experience in successfully managing and driving change initiatives within a complex organisation (highly desirable).
- A true Euromonitor player. Displaying all our core values of curiosity, integrity, empowerment, diversity and collaboration.
- Minimum 8+ years of experience in research and/or consulting, preferably a combination of both.
