Job Description

Company Description

We're Checkout.com - you might not know our name, but companies like eBay, ASOS, Klarna, Uber Eats, and Sony do. That moment when you check out online? We make it happen.


Checkout.com is where the world checks out. Our global network powers billions of transactions every year, making money move without making a fuss. We spent years perfecting a service most people will never notice. Because when digital payments just work, businesses grow, customers stay, and no one stops to think about why.


With 19 offices spanning six continents, we feel at home everywhere - but London is our HQ. Wherever our people work their magic, they're fast-moving, performance-obsessed, and driven by being better every day. Ideal. Because a role here isn't just another job; it's a career-defining opportunity to build the future of fintech.

We are seeking a

Senior Manager to lead our AI Centre of Excellence (COE)

.

This is a pivotal role within the Global Technology & Security Office, reporting directly to the CISO & VP of IT.


The AI COE is responsible for

establishing

governance, policy, and best practices for AI use across Checkout.com

, while also

identifying, prototyping, and delivering AI use cases

that create measurable business value.


This role is both

strategic and hands-on

: part governance leader, part product owner, part technical practitioner. You will define our approach to responsible AI adoption, prototype and test solutions, communicate the vision across the organisation, and ultimately

build and lead a growing AI COE team

.

How you'll make an impact

-----------------------------

Build and scale the AI COE:

Establish the vision, structure, and roadmap, and grow the team into a world-class capability.

AI Governance:

Define and enforce policies, frameworks, and guardrails for safe, ethical, and compliant AI use.

Collaborate with Information Security:

Partner closely with InfoSec to define secure, governed use of AI tools and platforms (e.g., managed MCP environments, access controls, data protection, auditability).

Hands-on Prototyping & Coding:

Develop proof-of-concepts, write scripts, and evaluate AI/ML models and APIs to validate solutions before scaling.

Product Ownership:

Act as product owner for AI initiatives, from idea intake and prioritisation through to delivery and adoption.

Use Case Development & Stakeholder Engagement:

Partner with stakeholders across Technology, Product, Operations, Risk, Legal, and other business functions to identify, prioritise, and deliver high-value AI use cases. Ensure alignment on how success and business value will be measured.

Support Enablement:

Work with Support teams to design scalable support models, documentation, and escalation paths for AI-powered solutions.

Operational Readiness:

Ensure AI use cases are production-ready with monitoring, resilience, and ongoing support baked in.

Enablement & Education:

Create training materials, playbooks, and enablement programs to upskill employees on responsible AI use.

Communications:

Serve as the central voice for AI at Checkout.com, shaping narratives, sharing success stories, and ensuring visibility of progress.

Change Management:

Drive adoption of AI solutions by embedding them into business processes, in partnership with HR, Comms, and L&D.

Executive Influence:

Regularly brief and influence senior leaders to ensure AI initiatives align with business priorities and risk appetite.

Metrics & Outcomes:

Define and track KPIs for AI adoption, value delivery, and risk reduction, demonstrating measurable impact across the business.

Risk & Compliance Alignment:

Ensure AI activities comply with evolving regulations (e.g., GDPR, DORA, PCI DSS, EU AI Act).

Industry Awareness:

Monitor emerging AI technologies, vendor solutions, and regulatory trends to inform strategy.

What You'll Bring

---------------------

4+ years of experience in related leadership roles, with a strong background in

AI/ML initiatives and technical strategy

. Strong technical foundation with hands-on coding skills (e.g.,

Python, APIs, LangChain, HuggingFace, OpenAI APIs, TensorFlow, PyTorch, or similar frameworks

). Proven ability to

prototype solutions and work closely with engineering, data, InfoSec, and support teams

. Experience building and leading

high-performing teams

, ideally in a newly established or scaling function. Strong understanding of

AI risks and controls

, including data protection, model governance, and secure use of MCPs. Skilled at tight

stakeholder engagement

, aligning business leaders on priorities, value measurement, and adoption of AI use cases. Demonstrated ability to work with

Information Security and Compliance teams

to deliver secure, governed technology solutions. Experience collaborating with

Support or Operations teams

to build scalable support paths and ensure long-term maintainability. Skilled at developing

training programs, playbooks, and communications

that drive adoption. Strong

storytelling and influencing skills

, able to engage both technical and business audiences. A balance of

strategic leadership and hands-on execution

-- equally comfortable in executive meetings and at the keyboard.

Bring all of you to work

We create the conditions for high performers to thrive - through real ownership, fewer blockers, and work that makes a difference from day one.


Here, you'll move fast, take on meaningful challenges, and be recognized for the impact you deliver. It's a place where ambition gets met with opportunity - and where your growth is in your hands.


We work as one team, and we back each other to succeed. So whatever your background or identity, if you're ready to grow and make a difference, you'll be right at home here.


It's important we set you up for success and make our process as accessible as possible. So let us know in your application, or tell your recruiter directly, if you need anything to make your experience or working environment more comfortable.

Life at Checkout.com

We understand that work is just one part of your life. Our hybrid working model offers flexibility, with three days per week in the office to support collaboration and connection.


Curious about what it's like to be part of our team? Visit our Careers Page to learn more about our culture, open roles, and what drives us.


For a closer look at daily life at Checkout.com, follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram