Senior Manager - Data & AI Architecture & Governance - Hawthorn East

We’ve been proudly serving Australian communities since 1914 and have grown to become a top 30-listed company on the ASX with a portfolio of iconic homegrown brands. At the heart of our continued success is over 115,000 team members working across the country, all contributing to bringing our customers smiles. You’ll not only get to see your work make a difference, you’ll be part of a team working together to help Australians eat and live better every day.

About the team

As the way Australians shop continues to evolve, our Data and AI Team keep Coles at the forefront of modern retail. We combine data, artificial intelligence, and applied engineering to reimagine how our stores, supply chain, and digital channels operate — creating smarter, more connected, and seamless experiences for our customers and team members.

Operating as a centralised development and enablement function within Coles Technology, the team unites product, engineering, and platform capabilities to deliver the intelligence layer of the enterprise. We serve every part of Coles — from computer vision applications that enhance in-store experiences and reduce loss, to forecasting, optimisation, and decision-support solutions that drive efficiency, accuracy, and agility across our supply chain, retail operations, and corporate functions.

The scale and impact of this work are significant. Coles serves millions of customers each week across more than a thousand stores nationwide, and our AI and data capabilities provide the intelligence that underpins how we plan, move, sell, and serve. By combining deep data capability with applied AI and modern engineering, we’re enabling Coles to become a truly AI-enabled enterprise, transforming how we operate and how Australia shops every day.

About the role

For this challenging opportunity of a Senior Manager – Data and AI Architecture and Governance within our Data and Artificial Intelligence team, we are seeking an individual to be responsible for the below:

• Define, communicate, and gain executive leadership and commitment for the overall Coles’ Responsible AI and Enterprise Data Governance expectations and compliance, ensuring alignment with business objectives and risk appetite.
• Establish, maintain, and oversee the enterprise-wide Responsible AI and Enterprise Data governance framework, associated policies, standards, and governance structures, in adherence to industry regulations, ensuring effectiveness and compliance.
• Lead the strategic development and maturation of organisational Responsible AI and Enterprise Data governance capabilities, including people (talent, skills), process (operating models, frameworks), and technology controls (architecture, tools), anticipating future needs and new regulations.
• Provide overall leadership and direction for all Data and Analytics functions (e.g., D&AI Hub & Spokes teams) and broader business and tech owners of Data & AI enabling applications, providing training, support and ensuring effective adoption and compliance of Responsible AI and Data Governance expectations and guardrails.
• Oversee the development and management of the AI & Enterprise Data governance functions’ budget, ensuring optimal utilisation of resources, tools and technology, demonstrating return on investment for Responsible AI and Data governance initiatives.
• Engage, influence, and advise senior executive stakeholders (C-suite, Board Committees, GMs) on AI & Data risk exposure, remediation and/or maturity uplift roadmaps as required, major initiatives, and investment decisions.

About you and your skills

• Extensive senior management experience (typically 10+ years) in developing and executing enterprise-wide AI/Data Governance strategies, framework, associated policies, and standards, and programs within large, complex organisations, ensuring they align with the organisation's risk appetite.
• Proven track record of leading the strategy for managing AI/Data compliance with all relevant legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations (e.g., Privacy Act, SOCI Act, PCI-DSS, OAIC).
• Significant experience in managing AI/Data risk assurance functions, including control effectiveness testing, metrics, and executive reporting to provide visibility of the organisation’s ai/data risk posture to leadership and the Board.
• Having established and overseen organisation-wide AI/Data governance awareness, behaviour, and culture programs to foster AI/Data risk compliance-conscious workforce.
• Strong experience in directing end-to-end third-party AI/Data risk mgmt. program, from procurement to off-boarding, to ensure the AI/Data compliance of the suppliers/partner ecosystems.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing senior leadership teams and building organisational AI/Data governance capabilities, controls, training and awareness.
• Significant experience engaging with and influencing executive-level stakeholders (C-suite, Board level) on complex AI/Data governance risks and strategy.
• Experience providing strategic leadership during significant AI/Data risk and/or breach incidents or crises.
• Experience in providing communication materials for Senior leaders representing an organisation externally on strategic AI and Data risk governance matters.
• Proven experience in driving AI/Data governance maturity uplift, transformational programs and delivering tangible outcomes across large, complex organisations with on/off-shore resources
• Strong understanding of technology trends, evolving industry regulations, frameworks and best practices across AI and Data Governance

Commercial Skills

• Relevant tertiary qualifications (e.g., Bachelor’s/Masters degree) and industry certifications in Data and AI governance or related field highly desirable.
• Proven track record in effective collaboration with various stakeholders, including executive leadership, to drive technology transformation and adoption.
• Fosters collaboration and connection across the enterprise and demonstrated ability to manage and develop large high-performing teams.
• Strong risk mgmt. and governance experience and analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Someone who is a strong leader with influence and can manage the practice and team effectively with little to no supervision
• Strong at dealing with ambiguity working to understand the problem and formulate an approach to address
• Ability to collaborate with stakeholders, delivery teams, and architecture functions (Cyber, infrastructure, Digital/Retail/Corporate solution architects, etc.) to achieve outcomes.
• In-depth understanding of AI/Data capabilities/trends, compliance expectations, technology operations, standards, and hybrid cloud environments.
• Demonstrated experience in enablement, capability uplift, and continuous improvement functions.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.

In the successful candidate, we’re seeking in our ideal candidate to own technical direction, connect architecture and engineering disciplines, and ensure data solutions are scalable, fit for purpose and aligned to business priorities.

Join a team at the forefront of transforming Customer Experience, with significant business investment and exciting opportunities to grow your skills and career. You'll be supported by a collaborative team, experienced leaders and engaged business stakeholders, while tackling meaningful challenges that make a real impact.

What’s in it for you?

• Flexible working options: We know that work is only one part of your life, so we actively encourage a positive work-life balance and provide hybrid working options to help you achieve it.
• Office perks: Take advantage of our gym facility and fitness classes, free parking, BBQ area, mini-Coles supermarket, fooderie hub where you can sample new products before they hit the shelves, school holiday program and so much more when you come in.
• Discounts: Eligible team members receive 5% discount all year round on your Supermarket and Liquor online and in-store purchases. We also offer additional periods of double discount (10%) at various times throughout the year. As well as hotdeals exclusive to team members that translate into additional savings.
• Reward through recognition: Give and receive recognition, linked to our Coles values, through our digital recognition platform ‘mythanks’. You can accumulate points to redeem in the online shop for exciting gifts and electronic gift cards from an extensive range of retailers.
• Opportunities for learning and development: No matter where you start within our diverse business, you’ll have experiences, exposure, and education to satisfy you. Discover and explore a variety of career development programs and job-specific training.
• Paid parental leave: We understand how important your life outside work is and offer permanent team members paid parental leave to support you in balancing work and family.
• Investment in your future: Our annual team member share plan offer allows eligible team members to make regular pre-tax salary sacrifice deductions to purchase Coles Group shares.

About the recruitment process

We’re continuing to build a gender equitable team, and a culture that is just as diverse, inclusive and welcoming as the communities we serve. We are committed to creating a workplace that is safe and respectful for our team. We encourage applications from people of all ages, cultures (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples), abilities, sexual orientation and gender identities.

We’re happy to adjust our recruitment process to support candidates with disability. For further information and additional contact details visit the ‘Our Recruitment Process’ section of our careers site or email inclusionrecruitment@coles.com.au

Job ID: 197916

Employment Type: Full time