AI Value & Transformation Lead – Gas Utilities

About the RoleWe are seeking an experienced AI Value & Transformation Lead to help gas utility organizations identify, prioritize, govern, and scale Artificial Intelligence initiatives that deliver measurable business outcomes.The role will act as the bridge between business stakeholders, operations teams, technology organizations, and AI delivery partners, ensuring that AI investments are aligned to strategic objectives and generate tangible operational, financial, regulatory, and customer value.This individual will lead AI demand shaping, portfolio governance, benefit realization, stakeholder adoption, and executive engagement while helping the organization maximize value from its AI investments and capabilities.The ideal candidate combines expertise in Artificial Intelligence, deep gas utility industry knowledge, and consulting-led transformation experience.Key ResponsibilitiesAI Strategy, Demand Shaping & Value RealizationDevelop and evolve the enterprise AI strategy aligned to business priorities and performance objectives.Establish and maintain an enterprise AI opportunity pipeline across business functions.Facilitate value discovery workshops to identify AI opportunities from business challenges and operational priorities.Shape, validate, and prioritize AI initiatives based on value potential, feasibility, business risk, and implementation complexity.Develop business cases, investment proposals, value realization plans, and outcome measurement frameworks.Define and track KPIs to ensure AI initiatives deliver measurable operational, financial, customer, and regulatory benefits.Educate business leaders on AI opportunities, limitations, risks, and adoption considerations.Challenge technology-led initiatives that lack a compelling business case or measurable value.AI Portfolio Governance & PrioritizationEstablish governance processes for AI demand intake, evaluation, prioritization, and investment approval.Maintain oversight of the enterprise AI portfolio and investment roadmap.Ensure prioritization decisions are based on business value, strategic alignment, complexity, risk, and adoption readiness.Develop executive reporting mechanisms for AI portfolio performance and value realization.Provide regular updates to senior leadership on AI investments, outcomes, risks, and adoption progress.Drive continuous portfolio optimization based on changing business priorities and realized benefits.Executive Advisory & Stakeholder EngagementServe as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, business stakeholders, and technology teams.Facilitate strategic workshops to identify transformation opportunities and business challenges.Build stakeholder alignment across operations, customer service, engineering, asset management, technology, and leadership teams.Translate business objectives into executable AI transformation initiatives.Drive adoption and organizational readiness across stakeholder groups.Establish executive sponsorship and business ownership for AI initiatives.Gas Utility Transformation LeadershipDrive AI-enabled transformation initiatives across:Gas Transmission OperationsGas Distribution NetworksAsset Management & ReliabilityAsset Integrity & InspectionPipeline OperationsLeak Detection & PreventionField Service & Workforce OptimizationEmergency Response & SafetyCustomer Operations & ExperienceCapital Program ManagementRegulatory Compliance & ReportingOperational Risk ManagementAI Capability Oversight & Partner ManagementAct as the business-facing lead for AI capabilities delivered by internal and external partners.Ensure AI initiatives remain aligned to business priorities and expected outcomes.Challenge delivery teams to focus on business value realization rather than technology deployment alone.Monitor adoption, utilization, and value delivered from implemented AI solutions.Provide independent oversight of AI outcomes, benefits realization, and business impact.Drive alignment between business priorities, AI roadmaps, and delivery execution.Innovation & Thought LeadershipStay current on Generative AI, Agentic AI, Machine Learning, Predictive Analytics, Digital Twins, and Intelligent Automation.Identify emerging technologies that can create competitive advantage and operational improvements.Bring leading industry practices and innovation frameworks to the organization.Act as a trusted thought leader on AI-enabled utility transformation.Required QualificationsAI & Digital LeadershipProven experience leading enterprise AI, analytics, or digital transformation programs.Strong understanding of Generative AI, Agentic AI, Machine Learning, Intelligent Automation, Predictive Analytics, Digital Twins, Enterprise AI PlatformsExperience developing AI business cases, transformation roadmaps, and value realization frameworks.Experience establishing AI governance and operating models.Strong understanding of Responsible AI and AI risk management principles.Gas Utility Industry ExperienceDeep understanding of gas utility operating models and business processes.Experience in Gas Transmission, Gas Distribution, Asset Management, Asset Integrity, Network Operations, Field Operations, Customer Operations, Capital ProgramsStrong understanding of Utility safety requirements, Operational risk management, Regulatory compliance frameworksExperience working within UK utility regulatory environments, including RIIO and Ofgem frameworks, is highly desirable.Consulting & Business Transformation LeadershipExperience leading large-scale business transformation initiatives.Proven ability to engage and influence executive stakeholders.Strong workshop facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills.Experience developing business cases, investment proposals, and transformation strategies.Demonstrated ability to drive organizational change and business adoption.Success MeasuresValue of AI opportunities identified and qualified.Percentage of AI investments achieving targeted business outcomes.Executive stakeholder adoption and sponsorship.AI portfolio value realization against approved business cases.Number of AI initiatives successfully scaled into business operations.Improvement in operational efficiency, asset performance, workforce productivity, customer outcomes, safety, and compliance.Business adoption and utilization of AI capabilities.Demonstrable financial and operational benefits realized from AI investments.