The Co-operative Bank of Kenya is seeking an exceptional and visionary Head of Artificial Intelligence to lead the Bank’s enterprise AI agenda and accelerate the adoption of Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI and Agentic AI across the organization.

This is a strategic leadership opportunity for an accomplished AI professional who can translate business priorities into scalable, responsible and impactful AI solutions that enhance customer experience, strengthen risk management, improve operational efficiency and drive sustainable business growth.

Reporting to the Chief Digital and AI Officer, the successful candidate will shape the Bank’s AI strategy, build enterprise-wide AI capabilities and lead the transformation of promising AI innovations into practical solutions that deliver measurable value.

The Role

The successful jobholder will be expected to:

• Drive AI Strategy: Develop and execute the Bank’s multi-year AI strategy and roadmap, aligned with corporate objectives and emerging technology opportunities.
• Accelerate AI Innovation: Identify, prioritize and deliver high-impact AI use cases across credit, fraud management, collections, customer service, technology and other business areas.
• Lead AI Delivery: Oversee cross-functional AI teams from ideation and experimentation through deployment, adoption and benefits realization.
• Establish AI Standards: Define enterprise AI architecture, engineering standards and lifecycle practices, including MLOps, production monitoring, reusable AI services and cost optimization.
• Champion Responsible AI: Establish and maintain robust AI governance frameworks that promote security, fairness, transparency, accountability and regulatory compliance throughout the AI lifecycle.
• Enable Business Transformation: Partner with business leaders to embed AI into business processes, drive adoption and change management, and track performance against agreed business outcomes.
• Strengthen Data Foundations: Collaborate with Data & Analytics teams to ensure AI solutions are supported by trusted, governed and reusable data.
• Build AI Capabilities: Lead the development of a high-performing AI team and AI Centre of Excellence, attract and nurture specialist talent, and champion AI literacy across the Bank.

Qualifications, Skills & Attributes

The successful jobholder will be required to possess the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Statistics, Engineering, Mathematics, Information Technology or a related field.
• Master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Computer Science, Business Administration (MBA), Analytics or a related discipline.
• Professional certifications in AI, Machine Learning, Cloud Platforms, Data Science or Enterprise Architecture will be an added advantage.
• At least 10 years’ experience in technology, data, analytics, digital transformation or AI-related disciplines.
• At least 5–7 years in senior leadership, overseeing enterprise-scale AI, analytics or technology functions.
• Proven track record in delivering large-scale AI and Machine Learning programmes, from strategy and design to production deployment and measurable business impact.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams comprising data scientists, engineers, architects and business stakeholders.
• Experience in banking, financial services, fintech, telecommunications or other highly regulated industries.

How to Apply

If you have the vision, expertise and leadership capabilities to turn AI ambition into enterprise-wide impact, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity. Forward your application letter enclosing detailed Curriculum Vitae to jobs@co-opbank.co.ke indicating the job reference number HAI/IID/2026 by 2nd November 2026.

We are an equal opportunity employer.