Head of Data and AI Platforms

Job summary

Across government, the ability to unlock value from data and AI is becoming central to how organisations improve services, strengthen decision-making and deliver better outcomes for citizens. Ofgem’s Common Data Platform is a unified data foundation that supports secure, automated data processing and enables event-driven architecture, self-service analytics and AI integration. This role sits at the centre of that ambition

Ofgem works on behalf of energy consumers to ensure that every household and business in the UK can rely on a safe, affordable and environmentally sustainable energy supply. As the organisation continues to evolve and accelerate its digital and data ambitions, the Head of Data and AI Platforms will play a pivotal role in shaping the engineering capability, platform performance and operational foundations that support that journey.

Team context

The Head of Data and AI Platforms is a senior leadership role within DDSS, aligned in part with the Head of Data Engineering role in the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework. Reporting into Chief Data & AI Officer, you will oversee the platform engineering, operations and automation capability that underpins Ofgem’s data and AI strategy.

Working closely with data governance colleagues, the Head of AI & Analytics and wider digital leadership, you will ensure the platform enables trusted, governed data to be used effectively across the organisation. You will also be responsible for helping shape the engineering capability needed to deliver Ofgem’s data and AI ambitions at pace and scale.

Overview of the role

As Head of Data and AI Platforms, you will ensure Ofgem can use data to make better decisions, shape policy and improve services. You will be accountable for the quality, performance, benefits and outcomes of the data and AI platform services, and for the leadership of the engineering teams that design, run and continuously improve them.

This is an opportunity to combine strategic direction with hands-on service and capability leadership. You will help define the platform roadmap, strengthen data engineering maturity, and ensure that responsible use of AI and data is embedded throughout the organisation’s engineering landscape.

Job description

You will be responsible for:

• Overseeing multiple Data and ML Engineering teams, directly managing senior colleagues and ensuring strong performance across platform services.
• Setting the strategic direction for the data and AI platform, engineering and automation capabilities.
• Working with AI and data leadership colleagues to build the engineering capability required to deliver Ofgem’s data and AI strategy.
• Ensuring responsible use of AI and data across the data engineering platform, in collaboration with data governance colleagues and the Head of Data Science.
• Managing resources and budgets effectively to support delivery, service performance and continuous improvement.
• Contributing as a member of the Data Leadership team to the direction, strategy and roadmap for Ofgem’s AI, automation and data ambitions.
• Ensuring platform services deliver trusted, governed data that improves reporting, insights and digital delivery.
• Building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including suppliers, professional bodies and government data communities.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Proven experience of overall ownership of the delivery and continuous improvement of enterprise-wide data services and demonstrating their value to the organisation (Lead Criteria)
• Proven experience in influencing senior executive level stakeholders in support of strategic plans for delivery of enterprise services. (Lead Criteria)
• Proven experience of developing and delivering a capability development plan for data teams.
• Proven experience of mentoring senior level data and AI specialists.
• Demonstrable evidence of contributing to building data capabilities.

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge of energy sector data and AI challenges, the transition to net-zero, including regulatory and affordability implications.

#LI-DNI

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• You will be asked to conduct a presentation during your interview. Details of the presentation will be included in the invitation to interview.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £63,443, OFGEM contributes £18,379 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).Ofgem can offer you a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes; 30 days annual leave after 2 years; Excellent training and development opportunities; The opportunity to join the generous Civil Service pension which also includes a valuable range of benefits; hybrid working (currently 1 day a week in the office but this is kept under review), flexible working hours and family friendly policies. Plus lots of other benefits including clean and bright offices based centrally, engaged networks and teams and an opportunity to contribute to our ambitious and important targets of establishing a Net Zero energy system by 2050. This exciting blend of professional challenge and personal reward identifies career opportunities at Ofgem as something to get excited about.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

As part of your application, you will be asked to upload a 2-page copy of your CV and provide a 1250 word ‘personal statement’ evidencing how you meet the essential and desirable skills and capabilities listed in the role profile. Please ensure you demonstrate clearly, within your supporting statement, how you meet each of the criteria listed in the role profile. In the event of receiving a large number of applications, an initial sift may take place on just the lead criteria indicated in the essential criteria.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected, you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details o