Senior AI Commercialisation Strategist: Japanese speaking

Aioi R&D Lab – Oxford is an AI R&D company based in Oxford, on a mission to harness AI to understand, predict, and manage risk, helping build a safer, more resilient society. We sit at the intersection of academia and industry, working with Oxford's professors, researchers, and graduates alongside commercial spinouts and partner companies, to turn frontier research into AI that actually ships rather than just gets published. Our work spans applied AI for insurance and adjacent industries, including supply chains, nature, autonomous driving, and the emerging challenges nobody's solved yet, alongside deep research of our own into agentic AI, privacy-preserving technologies, trustworthy AI, complex systems modelling, and quantum computing. We build AI products and solutions for insurers, businesses, and public-sector organisations worldwide, and run innovative research projects that push these technologies further, helping people make better decisions in an uncertain world. The role will lead the commercialisation strategy for Track 5, acting as the primary interface between research and industry to ensure programme outputs are translated into commercially viable opportunities. The role will work closely with researchers, engineers, industry stakeholders and programme partners to identify high-value use cases, develop evidence-based commercial propositions and business cases, and define commercial pathways that maximise the impact of programme outputs. A key aspect of the role will be building and maintaining relationships with Japanese businesses, industry stakeholders and programme partners. The role will use Japanese and English language skills to facilitate effective engagement across UK and Japanese stakeholders, ensuring commercial opportunities, business needs and programme outputs can be effectively communicated and developed across both markets. The purpose of the role is to ensure: Research in privacy-preserving methods for AI is translated into practical business opportunities. Commercial use cases are identified, validated and prioritised with industry stakeholders. Business cases are developed, demonstrating measurable business value and return on investment. Research outputs have clear commercialisation pathways aligned to insurance and financial services. Provide strategic recommendations on the prioritisation of commercial opportunities, influencing programme investment and future research direction. Strong commercial engagement is established with Japanese businesses and stakeholders to identify, validate and develop opportunities arising from the programme.

Responsibilities

Opportunity & Market Validation

• Lead the identification, evaluation and prioritisation of commercially viable opportunities arising from programme research outputs.
• Validate commercial applications with insurers, industry partners and business stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain a commercialisation roadmap for programme research outputs. Commercial Value Assessment
• Work with insurers, business stakeholders and SMEs to understand operational challenges.
• Translate programme research outputs into measurable business outcomes.
• Quantify commercial benefits including cost reduction, operational efficiency, customer experience, risk reduction, revenue generation and competitive advantage.
• Lead the development of executive-level commercial propositions and business cases that inform investment and commercialisation decisions. Technical Translation
• Build strong relationships with relevant stakeholders within the tracks.
• Understand emerging AI technologies sufficiently to explain them to non-technical audiences.
• Translate complex AI concepts into business language supported by a Business Analyst who will undertake detailed analysis, documentation and requirements gathering. Market & Industry Analysis
• Monitor developments across emerging AI technologies relevant to the programme.
• Assess emerging technologies and market trends for applicability within insurance and financial services.
• Identify future commercial opportunities arising from advances in AI research. Stakeholder Management Build strong relationships with programme teams, business stakeholders and external partners across the UK and Japan. Develop and maintain relationships with Japanese businesses and industry stakeholders to identify and validate commercial opportunities. Including any key levels of qualification for the role and/or time served experience Professional fluency in Japanese and English, with the ability to conduct business discussions, workshops and stakeholder meetings in both languages. Demonstrable ability to build relationships and engage effectively with Japanese businesses and senior stakeholders. Ability to communicate complex technical and commercial concepts between Japanese and English-speaking audiences. Strong understanding of Japanese business culture and the ability to operate effectively across UK and Japanese working environments. Experience working with Japanese organisations or within the Japanese market is highly desirable. Programme Support
• Lead the commercialisation strategy for Track 5.
• Shape the programme’ s long-term commercial roadmap.
• Influence programme investment decisions through commercial insight and market intelligence.
• Represent Track 5 at executive and strategic governance forums where required. Knowledge, Experience and Qualifications Commercial
• Experience developing executive-level business cases and influencing strategic investment decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to shape commercial strategy for emerging technologies.
• Ability to quantify business value and ROI.
• Experience working with senior stakeholders.
• A product development mindset, with ability to identify opportunities in a complex technical space. Technical
• Good understanding of AI and machine learning concepts.
• Ability to understand emerging AI technologies quickly.
• Comfortable discussing technical topics with engineers and researchers.
• Able to translate technical detail into business language. (The role does not require hands-on model development or software engineering experience) Industry: Experience within one or more of: Insurance Financial Services Technology Consulting AI Product Management Innovation Stakeholder Skills : Excellent communication skills. Speaks Japanese. Strong workshop facilitation. Influencing without authority. Relationship building. Why Join Us? We're committed to your growth, providing the support to excel in your current role whilst offering opportunities to step into new challenges and drive your career forward. We realise that we need to be a good fit for you above all else – so here’s what you can enjoy about AND-E: Recognised as the Best Large Insurance Employer: We are proud to have been named the Best Large Insurance Employer for 2023 at the prestigious British Insurance Awards. Unmatched Work-Life Balance. Competitive Salaries and Benefits Package: We offer competitive salaries that recognise your skills and expertise. We champion choice, flexibility, and balance in both work and home life. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion ensures everyone feels valued and supported — including embracing neurodiversity and providing the tools needed to thrive. Our community’s unwritten rule is to be as flexible as we can be. We understand life happens, and on We like to think our benefits package is one of the best, focusing on colleagues’ health, wealth, and lifestyle. We offer: Up to 28 Days annual leave with the option to buy/sell up to 5 days holiday* Healix Private Medical Insurance Options* 3 x Annual Salary Life Assurance* Health and Well-being Support: Including money back on health expenses (optician, dental, physio), free flu jab voucher, 24/7 virtual GP service, employee assistance programme, and enhanced family-friendly policies (e.g. £200 baby bonus). Financial and Lifestyle Benefits: Offers £250 towards driving lessons*, interest-free season ticket loan*, cycle scheme with discounts, Wagestream for financial flexibility*, and pension advisory services for retirement planning.
• Subject to company performance and completion of probation Aioi Nissay Dowa Europe is committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment. Employees and job applicants will receive equal treatment regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation (Protected Characteristics) At AND-E, equal opportunity is more than a policy—it’s a promise. We welcome applications from all individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. Reasonable adjustments: If you require any adjustments to support you during our recruitment process, please let us know. We’re committed to making the process accessible and are happy to help