Technology Head of AI

Willis Re•New York, NY

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Willis Re is a technology-led reinsurance broker built on a cloud-native, modular, and data-driven platform. As the Technology Head of AI & Emerging Tech, you will own the overall technology strategy and the roadmap for AI, automation, and next-generation capabilities. As a member of the technology leadership team, you will turn innovation into scaled capabilities across broking, placement, analytics, and client servicing—balancing speed with safety, and experimentation with operational excellence. You will partner closely with the Product Manager, Brokers, and business leaders to design simple and scalable solutions and move them from pilot to production with clear accountability. Operating in a hybrid delivery model, you will set standards, govern risk, and ensure alignment to global architectures and security requirements, while enabling regional flexibility where needed.

Requirements

Significant experience leading digital transformation, with proven delivery of AI, automation, and emerging technology in complex, cloud-first environments.
Proven capability to architect end-to-end solutions as well as deliver them, from reference architectures and integration patterns through to production rollout and adoption.
Proven delivery of AI/ML and GenAI solutions in production, including document intelligence, NLP, search/summary, recommendation, decision support, and workflow automation.
Strong grasp of responsible AI, security, and compliance, including model risk management, privacy, data residency, human oversight, and auditability.
Hands-on understanding of AI/MLOps practices and platforms, including model lifecycle, observability, cost control, CI/CD, feature stores, and data integration.
Experience defining and governing enterprise standards and architectures for AI platforms, APIs, and integration, aligned to global patterns with regional flexibility.
Demonstrated ability to partner with business leaders, translating business requirements into scalable solutions.
Vendor and partner management expertise, including evaluation, contracting, and ongoing performance management tied to value realization.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with credible engagement at all levels and across multi-region teams.

Responsibilities

Define and own the technology strategy for AI, aligned to business priorities; translate value propositions into a roadmap.
Lead delivery of AI solutions across pricing support, submission triage, document and market data extraction, client insight, workflow automation, and co-pilot experiences for employees.
Establish responsible AI governance and controls in partnership with Cyber, Data Protection, and Legal, covering model risk, data privacy, transparency, human-in-the-loop, and auditing.
Build the target operating model for AI engineering and MLOps, including model lifecycle management, monitoring, incident response, versioning, and cost/performance optimization.
Set global standards for AI platforms, toolchains, and integration patterns; ensure interoperability with enterprise data platforms and adherence to security and compliance requirements.
Drive rapid experimentation with clear exit criteria; scale successful pilots into reliable, maintainable services using automated testing, observability, and release practices.
Develop and manage strategic vendor and partner relationships, balancing build vs. buy decisions and negotiating commercial and risk terms that protect value.
Provide executive-level communication and storytelling on technology strategy, risks, and outcomes; partner effectively with Product Managers, Brokers, and clients to shape solutions that fit market workflows.
Assist Product Managers to ensure solutions land successfully with business teams.
Maintain horizon scanning and technology assessment, identifying pragmatic opportunities to introduce new capabilities that enhance agility and global scalability.