Head of Data and AI

This is an exciting time to join the DDaT team at DCMS, as we strive to collaborate across the department to deliver user-centred services that drive smarter working, innovation and efficiency. Our mission centres on four priorities: building a secure, resilient, and modern technology foundation; developing digital and data capability across DCMS; driving efficiency and value through modern corporate services; and fostering a high-performing, empowered workforce.

Our plans include critical investment in our corporate systems, ensuring they are fit for purpose and reducing the manual input required. Equally, there is ongoing development of the way the department delivers its policy outcomes via digital and data services, using AI where needed to maximise the value these can bring to users in the department or throughout the society we serve.

Aligned with the productive and agile state agenda, we embed DDaT expertise across departmental teams to enable early engagement with policy development, to support cost-effective delivery., The Head of Data and AI for DCMS Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) is responsible for the quality, performance, benefits, and outcomes of DCMS DDaT's data service which includes a data platform, data engineering capability and a business intelligence function.

You will lead on DDaT's contribution to our wider departmental ambitions for delivering AI driven solutions, working closely with our Chief Scientific Advisor's team (CSA) and our Analysis Function. You will define success measures, drive continuous improvement, and effectively inform and influence stakeholders.

The role leads a team of eight, working collaboratively with the Analyst Function and the CSA on our Data Improvement Programme - a cross-department, aimed at transforming how the department uses data to better inform policy development and measure desired outcomes, underpinned by the development of a Data Platform. The team also provides the department with timely and accurate management information to support corporate processes and decision making. The team comprises data engineers, analysts, and data governance and product managers. Some capabilities are delivered via third parties, and so there is a need for supplier and contract management as part of the role.

The department has a small number of nascent AI driven initiatives and your role will lead developing and supporting if and how these might operate as future products and services.

You will work to the Deputy Director for digital and data to develop a clear strategy that shows the value of better use of data and AI in support of our department's ambitions.

The role is part of the wider multidisciplinary DDaT management team that provides leadership across the Digital, Data and Technology Directorate.

Your responsibilities include:

• Be a visible and influential data leader, advocating for the data services and be accountable for the quality, performance, benefits and outcomes.

• Inform, influence and bring consensus amongst stakeholders around a centralised data strategy and departmental vision on data.

• Lead the data platform and business intelligence tools through iteration and innovation to fully support users needs, and opportunities for service efficiencies.

• Provide clear direction, prioritisation, risk management, and decision-making for the services.

• Liaise with other heads of practices and policy teams to support a cultural shift and capability building to help staff adapt to the better use of data and AI to improve their ways of working.

• Keep pace with cross-government data and AI developments; represent DCMS' interests in identifying opportunities for collaboration and reuse of government service/innovation.

• Work closely with senior leadership and decision makers from across the department and the wider data and AI community, ensuring alignment with cross government and departmental processes, standards and strategy.

• Ensure appropriate funding is in place and manage the budget effectively, identifying most cost effective options., To apply for this vacancy, you will need to submit the following documents which will assessed against the experience success profile:

• A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you provide employment history that relates to the essential and desirable criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages and you should insert your CV into the "Job History" section on the Civil Service Jobs application form.

• A Statement of Suitability (max 750 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential requirements highlighted. You may also choose to reference the desirable skills listed however these will not be considered in the assessment of your application except in circumstances where there are a high number and calibre of candidates.

For the shortlist, we will select applicants demonstrating the best fit for the role by considering the evidence provided in your application.

For indicative sift and interview dates please refer to the attached Candidate Information Pack.

In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial sift will be conducted on the CV. Those who are successful in the initial sift will then be scored on all elements of the application.

For support in writing your application and interviewing, please refer to the 'Application and Interview Guidance' document attached to the job advert.

The interview process will assess behaviours and experience.

The behaviours to be tested at interview are:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace, If the vacancy is offered as FTA/Loan, existing Civil Servants must join on a Loan basis only. Prior agreement to be released on loan must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to Department for Culture, Media and Sport from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk, * UK nationals

• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Do you have experience in Leadership?, * Leadership experience of running data services aligning delivery to the government service standard, technology codes of practice and 'secure by design' principles.

• You will be able to communicate between technical and non technical stakeholders, simplifying complexity where needed, for non-technical and senior leaders, working across organisational boundaries.
• Experience of prioritising delivery and resource whilst balancing risks across different products and stages of the product life cycle.
• You'll be adept at leading the delivery of data and AI driven solutions, breaking down barriers for your team, developing high level strategies and plans, whilst getting into the details to make things happen when needed.

Desirable skills:

• Awareness of industry and/or government data platforms and data architectures.
• Sound commercial experience and managing digital and data contracts.
• Experience of working with data platforms, ideally Databricks, and AI tools such as Vertex, Gemini, MS Co-Pilot., * Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace, Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check .

Alongside your salary of £62,203, Department for Culture, Media and Sport contributes £18,020 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

DCMS values its staff and offers a wide range of benefits to everyone who works here. We're committed to developing talent, and supporting colleagues to have great careers in our department. To support with that, some of the benefits we offer include:

• Flexible working arrangements and hybrid working - DCMS staff work on a flexible basis with time spent in offices, and time spent working from home
• 26.5 days annual leave on entry, increasing to 31.5 days after 5 years' service
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• Access to the Edenred employee benefits system which offers discounts to popular retailers and access to various useful resources such as financial and savings advice
• 3 days of paid volunteering leave
• Up to 9 months maternity leave on full pay + generous paternity and adoption leave
• Staff reward and recognition bonuses that operate throughout the year
• Occupational sick pay
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme which offers staff 24/7 confidential support and resources such as counselling, debt guidance and management advice
• Active and engaged staff networks to join including the LGBT+, Ethnic Diversity, Mental Health and Wellbeing and Gender Equality Networks
• Exceptional learning and development opportunities that you can explore alongside your day to day work
• Season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme and much more!