Data and AI Activation Lead (Retail & Platforms)

TeWhiwhingamahi The Opportunity 

This is a senior leadership enterprise-facing role focused on activating AI across our retail business embedding tools uplifting capability and enabling teams to move faster and smarter. 

Youll work alongside leaders and teams to turn AI from potential into practice shaping how its used to improve customer experiences optimise decisions and unlock value. 

In this role you will: 

• Be part of the Data and AI Leadership team partnering closely with retail leaders platform teams and domain experts to identify where AI can make the biggest impact 
• Coach and uplift capability across the business enabling teams to confidently adopt and use AI tools 
• Guide decision-making on when to leverage existing AI tools through self-service solutions or handover for deeper technical development 
• Across initiatives like retail platform transformation marketing automation and customer intelligence help turn ideas into working prototypes and real-world solutions to grow revenue deliver compelling customer experiences and improve productivity 
• Champion safe responsible and effective use of AI balancing innovation with good governance 
• Track and communicate the value of AI adoption - from usage to outcomes - helping shape future direction 

This is a role where influence matters as much as delivery. You wont just build youll enable connect and lead from the centre of the business.

Qualifications :

Kowaikoe About You 

Youre someone who thrives in complexity and ambiguity able to connect big-picture strategy with practical real-world outcomes. You know how to bring people on the journey not just tell them where to go. 

Youll likely bring: 

• Experience in large customer-focused organisations using AI to improve customer outcomes and operational performance. 
• Strong understanding of data advanced analytics and AI including hands-on experience delivering real solutions that leverage AI (not just theory).  
• The ability to translate technical concepts into clear meaningful insights for a wide range of stakeholders. 
• Experience working with tools such as Microsoft Copilot Studio Databricks Genie or similar AI platforms to deliver generative AI solutions as well as automation with agentic AI solutions. 
• A track record of influencing across teams working collaboratively to create impact without formal authority 

More importantly youll bring the mindset we value: 

• Curious adaptable and always learning 
• Collaborative and approachable someone who brings others along on the journey 
• Comfortable balancing demand expectations and competing priorities 
• Grounded in outcomes focused on what actually delivers value 

If youve worked with emerging approaches like agentic AI or helped scale AI adoption across a business that would be a big bonus! But its your ability to make AI real for people that matters most. 

Additional Information :

We support flexible working where it works for the individual the team and the business. Two of our main hubs are in Wellington and Auckland and this role is best suited to someone who can work flexibly from one of these locations to enable strong in person connection and collaboration. While we do have smaller sites across other centres of Aotearoa proximity to one of these hubs is important for this role. 

Contact is not a place youll stagnate. Were growing evolving and investing in our people. We also offer a bunch of other perks like free health insurance cover boosted KiwiSaver access to Contact Shares a Good to be Home annual payment toward your home set up & wellbeing a trail-blazing parental leave policy twice yearly payments towards our products if youre a Contact customer and more! 

Applications close on Tuesday 2nd June. But just like peak demand great talent surges early so if this role sparks your interest power up your application now! 

We love a good story at Contact its what keeps our energy flowing! If youve got one that connects with this role send it our way. 

Here at Contact Energy (Te Mata Hiko) we know our strength lies in developing a sense of belonging - one that helps us attract and retain people with a broad range of perspectives and experiences.

Were committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued respected and empowered to bring their whole selves to work. Our goal is to reflect the diversity of our customers and communities to help build a better Aotearoa New Zealand.

We have a rich community of talented people that we support to thrive at Contact.

Our inclusive hiring process is designed to embrace the diversity of Aotearoa New Zealand ensuring a wide range of perspectives are included in our decision-making and helping reduce bias along the way.

The wellbeing of our kaimahi is super important to us.

We use employee insights to offer a range of initiatives and resources to support physical mental financial and emotional wellbeing including flexible working arrangements employee network groups and a market-leading parental leave policy.

At Te Mata Hiko we want everyone to thrive. We welcome applicants far and wide - of every age stage background and pride. Join us and be part of a team that values your passion and attitude just as much as your experience and skills.

Please note only candidates with the right to live and work in New Zealand will be considered for this role.

Research shows that while men apply to jobs where they meet 60% of the criteria women and those in underrepresented groups tend to only apply if they tick every box. Were not about box ticking so if you think you have what it takes but dont meet everything stated above please still get in touch. Wed love to kōrero.

Te Mata Hiko (Contact Energy) does not accept any CVs received from recruitment agencies where a formal engagement has not been confirmed and agreed to with our Talent the event that unsolicited CVs are submitted by recruitment agencies Te Mata Hiko (Contact Energy) reserves the right to contact these candidates directly and consider them for current/future vacancies without any financial obligation to the recruitment agency in question. This will also apply to any CVs sent directly to line managers.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time