About Planet
Planet is a global provider of integrated technology and payments solutions for retail and hospitality customers.
We create great experiences for the millions of people who use our payments, software, and tax-free solutions every minute of every day.
Planet empowers its customers to deliver great customer experiences by combining payments and software in ways that drive greater loyalty, increase revenue and save time.
Founded over 35 years ago and with our headquarters in London, today we have more than 2,500 employees located across six continents serving our customers in more than 120 markets.
Role overview:
We are seeking a head of AI embedded within Finance, operating as a highly autonomous individual contributor responsible for identifying, shaping, and delivering AI-driven value across the function.
This is a Head-of-level role with a small team, requiring an entrepreneurial, self-directed approach that combines strategy, stakeholder management, solution design, and hands-on delivery. The role works directly with the CFO and SVP Finance, acting as the single accountable owner for AI outcomes within Finance.
What you will do
Identify and deliver high-impact AI use cases across Finance (FP&A, AP/AR, reconciliations, reporting, controls)
Translate Finance problems into deployable AI solutions
Drive end-to-end ownership from idea through MVP, production, adoption, and measurable ROI
In line with our wider AI operating model, AI Leads own use case identification, ROI, delivery, and reporting — acting as the accountable business lead across the full lifecycle.
Partner directly with the CFO and SVP Finance to define the AI roadmap for Finance
Identify high-value opportunities across cost reduction, automation, revenue insight, and risk control
Build and maintain a prioritised backlog of AI use cases
Define success metrics including ROI, efficiency, accuracy, and cycle time
Own full lifecycle delivery, including: Problem definitionBusiness case and ROISolution designBuild (hands-on where required)Deployment and scaling
Operate as a player-coach and builder, not solely a strategist
Ensure solutions progress from MVP to scaled adoption to measurable impact
Act as the primary AI point of contact for Finance leadership
Engage directly with the CFO, SVP Finance, Finance Directors, and Heads of Function
Translate complex AI concepts into clear commercial outcomes
Manage expectations, prioritisation, and trade-offs
Design and (where required) build: Automation workflowsAI agents (e.g. reconciliation, query handling, reporting assistants)Data pipelines and integrations (e.g. Snowflake, Workday, ERP systems)
Integrate with enterprise platforms such as Copilot, Bedrock, and our internal AI stack
Ensure all Finance AI solutions align with data governance, financial controls, and regulatory requirements
Partner with Legal, Security, and Compliance to de-risk deployments
Embed responsible AI practices and auditability into every solution
Drive genuine adoption within Finance teams, not just delivery
Track and report on cost savings (OPEX), productivity gains, and accuracy improvements
Ensure solutions are reusable and scalable across Finance and the wider business
Success in this role is measured by ROI, adoption, and measurable operational value.
Structure: Embedded in Finance, functionally aligned to the AI Centre of Excellence
Working style: Highly autonomous, self-prioritising, and execution-focused
Key interfaces:Finance leadership (primary)AI CoE (standards, platform, support)Data and Engineering teams (delivery support)
Who you are
Proven experience delivering AI and automation solutions within a business function, ideally Finance
Strong understanding of Finance processes, including reconciliation, AP/AR, reporting, and controls
Ability to operate as a self-sufficient individual contributor across both strategy and delivery
Experience working with senior stakeholders at SVP and CFO level
Hands-on capability across: AI tooling (LLMs, agents, automation platforms)Data and integration work (SQL, APIs, pipelines)
Commercially minded — prioritises ROI and business outcomes over experimentation
Builder mindset — comfortable being hands-on alongside strategic work
High ownership — accountable for outcomes, not activity
Executive presence — able to challenge, influence, and earn trust with senior stakeholderss
Experience with ERP systems (Workday, SAP, or equivalent)
Experience with Snowflake or comparable data platforms
Familiarity with AWS or Azure AI services
Background in FinTech or high-volume transaction environments
Why Planet:
Planet is an equal opportunity employer where diversity is valued, and all employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.
Come and grow your career in the most exciting, fast paced technology market, with a business that delivers feel-good connected commerce.
We would love to hear from you – Apply now.
At Planet, we embrace a hybrid work model, with three days a week in the office.
Reasonable accommodations may be made in order to allow for an individual to perform the essential functions of this role successfully.
