Head of AI Transformation & Governance (m/f/d)

Vorwerk SE & Co. KG is a family-owned company founded in 1883 and based in Wuppertal. Vorwerk´s core business is the production and sale of innovative premium household appliances. The portfolio also consists of commercial cleaning, financing solutions as well as a venture capital company. Today, the globally active Vorwerk Group has around 11,000 employees in over 60 countries.

YOUR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 

AI Strategy Development & Global Roadmap

• Collaborate closely with the Chief Product Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Financial Officer to co-develop Vorwerk’s global AI strategy & roadmap, ensuring alignment with corporate strategy and transformation priorities.
• Coordinate and maintain a comprehensive, company-wide AI portfolio.
• Track strategic intent, business justification, and progress across all units and transformation programs.

Leadership of Internal (Process) AI Transformation

• Enable and coordinate the identification, validation, and scaling of internal-facing AI use cases jointly with business and operational teams, including process automation, AI-augmented decision-making, workflow transformation, and intelligent support systems.
• Act as a facilitator and integrator, ensuring that initiatives are co-owned by business and technology and aligned with the company’s strategic goals.
• Define and coordinate the mandatory training and workforce enablement globally, integrated with HR and L&D processes.

Chair & Governance

• Chair the AI Investment Committee to align funding decisions for internal AI initiatives.
• Work with functional and business leads to prepare investment cases and ensure transparent decision-making.
• Steward the internal AI innovation budget through a participative allocation process in collaboration with the AI CoE and business sponsors.
• Act as Speaker of the AI Governance & Portfolio Board to ensure transparency, alignment, and responsible governance of all AI initiatives and further develop the AI governance in line with corporate AI maturity.
• Lead structured collaboration with the Group Works Council (Betriebsrat) on all AI use cases with employee relevance.
• Support the resolution of prioritization and resource conflicts through collaborative decision-making rather than escalation. 
  
  

OUR REQUIREMENTS

• University degree (Masters) with extensive experience in digital transformation and several years of professional experience in senior leadership; strong technical and strategic competence in AI and governance.
• Experienced transformation leader with extensive track record in digital and AI‑enabled change.
• Proven track record in leading cross-functional transformation portfolios across corporate functions.
• Trusted collaborator with experience in matrix organizations and diverse stakeholder environments (especially on C Levels and according to executive boards).
• Strong grasp of AI lifecycle management, risk governance, and compliance (e.g., EU AI Act, model oversight).
• Demonstrated ability to build alignment across functions without formal authority, operating as a servant leader who enables others rather than directing them.
• Acts with transparency, integrity, and respect, fostering a culture of inclusion and shared ownership.
• Understanding of architecture, platforms, and digital transformation technology (cloud, data, automation).
• Fluent in modern technology management (DevOps, modular platforms, data platforms, AI CoE models).

OUR BENEFITS

• Flexible working framework and 30 days of holiday.
• Possibility of mobile working within a defined framework.
• Attractive pension plan through several modules as well as the option of a time value account.
• Benefits of a family-owned company such as employee discounts, subsidy for childcare costs.
• Internal and external training opportunities.
• Extensive health benefits such as supplementary company health insurance, a wide range of fitness options and the possibility of on-site physiotherapy.
• Subsidized snacks and menus.
• Discounted Deutschlandticket and free parking directly at the workplace.
  

Reach to take on this role? Apply now - we can´t wait to hear from you!

Vorwerk & Co. KG
Group People & Culture I Sabine Albrecht