AI Project Lead

Your new company

Hays is looking for an AI Project Lead for a leading Belgian organization active in the retail sector. Our client is one of the largest players in its market, with more than 160 locations across Belgium, a strong e-commerce presence and over 2,500 employees. From its headquarters in the Antwerp region, the company continues to invest heavily in innovation, digital transformation and customer experience.

To support its growing AI ambitions, the organization is creating a key position. You will report directly to the CIO and act as the driving force behind AI initiatives across the business. The company combines an entrepreneurial mindset with a no-nonsense culture where collaboration, ownership and continuous improvement are central.

Your new role

As AI Project Lead, you will oversee, shape and accelerate the organization's AI transformation. You will bridge the gap between business, IT and data teams, ensuring that AI initiatives deliver measurable business value.

Your responsibilities include:

• Defining and executing the company's AI strategy in collaboration with key stakeholders
• Building and managing an AI roadmap that aligns business needs with technological opportunities
• Identifying innovative AI use cases across departments such as retail operations, finance, HR and customer services
• Driving the adoption of AI solutions, including technologies such as Microsoft Copilot and AI-powered automation
• Coordinating AI initiatives from idea and business case through proof of concept and implementation
• Monitoring AI investments, adoption rates and business impact through clear KPI reporting
• Acting as the internal point of contact for AI-related topics and helping grow AI knowledge throughout the organization
• Ensuring AI initiatives align with governance, privacy, compliance and ethical guidelines
• Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to deliver successful AI projects

This role requires both strategic vision and operational execution. You will not be responsible for programming or developing AI solutions yourself, but for prioritizing, coordinating and governing them.

Your profile

To succeed as an AI Project Lead, you combine strong AI knowledge with proven project leadership experience.

You bring:

• A master's degree in Business, Information Technology, Data Science or a related field, or equivalent experience
• Fluent in Dutch and English
• Proven experience leading or supporting AI transformation initiatives
• A solid understanding of AI technologies and their business applications
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• The ability to assess opportunities and translate innovative ideas into practical solutions
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• A proactive, entrepreneurial and pragmatic mindset
• The maturity to work independently while influencing teams across the organization
• Interest in retail environments and customer-facing operations

Additional assets include knowledge of AI/ML, Microsoft 365 Copilot, cloud technologies, data platforms and agile ways of working.

What you'll get in return

In return, you will join a financially healthy and growing organization where innovation plays a strategic role.

The offer includes:

• A newly created role with significant visibility and impact
• Direct collaboration with senior leadership and the CIO
• The opportunity to shape the future AI roadmap of a major Belgian retailer
• A competitive salary package
• Company car with fuel card and/or charging card
• Meal vouchers
• Flexible working arrangements
• Learning and development opportunities

What you need to do now

Are you interested in this role? Please click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.

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