Head of AI and Analytics Strategy and Exploration

ABOUT US

Were the worlds leading provider of secure financial messaging services headquartered in Belgium. We are the way the world moves value across borders through cities and overseas. No other organisation can address the scale precision pace and trust that this demands and were proud to support the global economy.

Were unique too. We were established to find a better way for the global financial community to move value a reliable safe and secure approach that the community can trust completely. Were always striving to be better and are constantly evolving in an ever-changing landscape without undermining that trust. Five decades on our vibrant community reflects the complexity and diversity of the financial ecosystem. We innovate diligently test exhaustively then implement a connected and exciting era our mission has never been more relevant. Swift now has a presence in 200 countries and legal territories to serve a community of more than 12000 banks and financial institutions.

Role purpose

To shape inspire and prepare Swift for the age of AIdefining what is possible building the case for where to act and ensuring the organization has the vision appetite and capability AI and Analytics capabilities you pioneer how they can deliver tangible business valueand set Swift up for success in the coming years.

AsHead of AI and Analytics Strategy and Exploration youoperateat the leading edge of change. You scan the horizon interpret emerging trends before they become consensus and translate external signals into clear strategic do not wait for the industry to show the challenge assumptions surface non-obvious opportunities and turn the potential of AI and Analytics into differentiatedadvantagefor Swift and its customers.

This is a role that spans the full arc from insight to impact. Youidentifyand develop high-value opportunities drive experimentation through tovalidatedoutcomes and build a balanced portfolio of bets that reflects both near-term commercial reality and longer-term doing so you create a continuous pipeline of well-defined decision-ready opportunities that engineering and delivery teams can act onconnecting strategy to execution in a way that is disciplined not theoretical.

Reporting to the Head of AI Analytics and Automation you operate as a trusted partner to senior leadership across Swiftbybringing structure and confidence to decisions scaling the adoption of proven capabilities and ensuring the widerorganisationunderstands and is prepared for what AI makes possible today and in the future. You own key external relationships with customers vendors and partners and yourepresentSwift as a credible and compelling voice on AI strategy in industry forums and client conversations alike.

This is a role for someone who thinks boldly communicates with clarity and knows how to turn vision into momentum.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Strategic foresight-Monitorthe evolution of AI and Analytics technologies market dynamics and ecosystem players translating external signals into clear and actionablebusinessstrategic implicationsfor theorganisations. Build forward-looking perspectives on how AI will reshape the industry our customers and our operating models. Provide structured fact-based guidance to senior leadership onwhat matters nowandwhat will matter next.
• Communicating the art of the possible- Champions AIs potential across the organisation translatingcutting-edgecapability into compelling narratives that inspire curiosity and ambition. Builds shared understanding of what AIcan deliver today and shapes a credible forward-looking vision for where it is headed.
• Opportunity exploration - Identify and pursue high-value opportunities at the intersection of enterprise priorities and AI and Analytics capability. Challenge existing assumptions about where value lives surface non-obvious use cases and build the case for bold bets. Drive momentum from insight to action ensuring promising opportunities are translated into tangible initiatives rather thanremainingtheoretical.
• Experimentation and delivery- Drive AI and Analytics opportunities end to end from early hypothesis through experimentation proof-of-concept and into validated outcomes. Maintain momentum across the full arc ensuring promising ideasdontstall at the exploratory stage. Communicate progress learnings and results in ways that build organisational confidence and appetite for further investment.
• Portfolio construction &prioritization-Build andmaintaina balanced AI and Analytics portfolio that combines near-term impact with longer-term strategic bets. Recommend investment priorities and sequencing ensuring alignment with enterprise strategy and risk appetite. Enable informed fact-based decision-making at executive level through clear framing of trade-offs value and dependencies.
• Leadership & team development- Lead coach and develop a team setting clearobjectivesandhigh standardsfor delivery. Ensure accountability for quality performance and outcomes while fostering a culture of curiosity rigor and continuous learning. Strengthen team capability tooperateat the intersection of strategy innovation and execution.
• External relationships and partnerships- Own and cultivate relationships with key external stakeholders including customers technology vendors research institutions and ecosystem drive partnership opportunities that accelerate Swifts AI and Analytics agenda bringing in capability insight and influence that would be difficult to build internally.
• External representation and thought leadership- Represent Swift externally as a credible voice on AI and Analytics strategy articulating a compelling and coherent narrative about where Swift is headed and why it matters. Contribute to industry forums client conversations and public discourse in ways that build Swifts reputation as a forward-thinking leader in the application of AI across financial market infrastructure.

Qualifications & Experience Required

The ideal candidate brings a strongtrack recordin strategy and exploration with 510 years of relevant experience anda solidcommercial grounding in AI and Analytics within the financial services industry. They combine disciplined execution with strategic vision anddemonstratecuriosity foresight and a genuine passion for applying emerging technologies to complex real-world challenges atglobalscale.

Beyond experience the role requires the ability to navigate ambiguity shape direction and translate innovation into meaningful outcomes for Swift and its community.

We are seeking professionals with:

Experience and Background

• 10 years in data analytics or AI roles with at least 3 to 5 years at a senior or leadership level
• Demonstrated experience setting AI or analytics strategy in a complex enterprise environmentshaping direction and building the case for investment not just delivering projects
• Track recordof translating technical capability into business outcomes including revenue growth operational efficiency and risk reduction
• Comfortable operating in a matrixedorganisation influencing without direct authority across product engineering commercial and senior leadership teams

Technical Fluency

• Sufficient depth to interrogate technical proposals assess feasibility and hold vendors and partners accountable
• Working knowledge of modern AI and ML approaches including classical ML large language models and agentic systems with sound judgement on when each is appropriate
• Understanding of data infrastructure fundamentals pipelines governance and data quality as a prerequisite torealisingAI value at scale

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep familiarity with regulated AI deployment including governance frameworks explainability requirements and vendor risk management
• Commercial exposure: having owned or influenced a P&L shaped a product or worked directly with enterprise clients on AI adoption
• Hands-on background in data science ML or software engineering earlier in career lending credibility with technical teams and sharpening build-versus-buy instincts
• Familiarity with agentic AI architectures multi-model orchestration and emerging AI infrastructure patterns
• Background in or alongside consulting advisory or product strategy functions
• Strong external network across AI research fintech or financial standards bodies

Desirable

• Experience working in or closely with financial services payments or infrastructure-adjacent sectors with a strong understanding of industry dynamics regulatory environments and client expectations
• Exposure to the SWIFT ecosystem or equivalent correspondent banking ISO 20022 sanctions screening would meaningfully accelerate onboarding

What we offer

We give you the freedom to be yourself. We are creating an environment of unique individuals like you with different perspectives on the financial industry and the world. A diverse and inclusive environment in which everyones voice counts and where you can reach your full potential.

We are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation related to accessibility during your application or interview please contact or indicate this in your application.

Please note that this mailbox is not monitored for general recruitment enquiries and should only be used for accessibility or accommodation-related requests (for example related to vision hearing or neurodiversity).

All requests are confidential and will not affect your candidacy.

Dont meet every single requirement At Swift we are dedicated to building a workplace where people can bring their full selves and ideas to the team so if you are excited about this role we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every single qualification.

Required Experience:

Director

Employment Type : Full Time
Experience: years
Vacancy: 1