Head of AI & Automation Accelerator

Job summary

Across government, the opportunity to harness AI and automation is no longer a future ambition; it is a practical necessity for improving services, increasing productivity and enabling better outcomes for citizens and colleagues. The Digital, Data and Security Services (DDSS) function is playing a central role in that transformation, creating the foundations, capability and delivery momentum needed to accelerate modern, data-led ways of working.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the organisation at a pivotal moment and help shape how AI and automation are scaled, governed and embedded across the business. You will play a leading role in driving innovation, identifying high-value use cases and enabling sustainable adoption that delivers measurable impact.

Team context

The Head of AI and Automation Accelerator is a strategic leadership role at the heart of DDSS, working across business, technology and data stakeholders to define and deliver the organisation’s AI and automation ambitions. Reporting into senior digital leadership, you will provide strategic direction for the accelerator function and help build the governance, methods and delivery capability needed to take ideas from concept through to scaled implementation.

Working closely with senior colleagues across technology, data, information security and operational teams, you will ensure AI and automation opportunities are prioritised appropriately, delivered safely and aligned to organisational goals. You will also help create the culture, confidence and practical frameworks needed to increase adoption across the organisation.

Overview of the role

As Head of AI and Automation Accelerator, you will define and lead the organisation’s approach to identifying, shaping and accelerating AI and automation opportunities. You will develop the roadmap, establish prioritisation and governance mechanisms, and ensure delivery is focused on use cases that create genuine value and can be scaled effectively.

You will act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, balancing innovation with responsible delivery and ensuring that AI and automation activity is underpinned by clear guardrails, robust assurance and strong stakeholder engagement. This is an exceptional opportunity to influence transformation at pace and help embed a more modern, efficient and data-enabled way of working.

Job description

You will be responsible for:

• Leading the AI and Automation Accelerator function and setting its vision, priorities and operating model.
• Identifying, assessing and prioritising high-value AI and automation opportunities across the organisation.
• Developing and maintaining delivery roadmaps, business cases and governance arrangements.
• Working with technical, operational and policy colleagues to move opportunities from discovery through to implementation and scale.
• Ensuring AI and automation activity is aligned to organisational strategy, ethical principles, data governance and relevant assurance requirements.
• Building strong relationships with senior stakeholders and acting as a trusted advisor on AI and automation adoption.
• Championing a culture of innovation, capability-building and continuous improvement.
• Monitoring outcomes, benefits and lessons learned to support ongoing refinement and scaling.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Proven experience of delivering a strategic programme of data and AI projects (Lead Criteria)

• Expert knowledge of innovative data and AI technologies (Lead Criteria)

• Extensive experience of delivering in an agile, iterative manner that delivers value early

• Demonstrable ability to mediate difficult discussions, manage high-risk expectations, and translate complex technical concepts for non-technical executive audiences
• Expert knowledge of the product / service lifecycle, specifically its application to data and AI products

Desirable Criteria

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

Behaviours

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership

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 of how your information will be used by us and Cifa