Head of Operations (i.AI)
| Posting date: | 21 October 2024 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £71,370 to £77,813 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 03 November 2024 |
| Location: | London |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 373900/1 |
Summary
Government must seize the opportunity of AI to drive outcomes in the public interest. This is of critical importance now. Government needs innovation and must not sleep on the opportunity presented by AI to drive better services for taxpayers and citizens.
In November 2023, the creation of the incubator for AI (i.AI) was announced, and following early successes, the team was expanded in March 2024. Our mission is to harness the opportunity of AI to improve lives, drive growth, and deliver better public services. This is an AI product team that focuses on delivery of technical solutions to public service challenges, responding to ministerial steers about priorities and driving impact out into departments from the centre.
i.AI delivers high impact products and is mission-led, delivering value and innovation within government. We are able to move fast and build things, and are set up specifically to pivot quickly towards priority use cases, and re-use technologies for future impact.
You can see more about our work on ai.gov.uk and on LinkedIn. We work in the open and our code can be found here: https://github.com/i-dot-ai
The Incubator for Artificial Intelligence (i.AI) will be moving to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) to form part of the new digital centre of government. If offered the position, you will be onboarded to, and initially employed by, the Cabinet Office, but will move with us to DSIT under the machinery of government change. This is expected to happen in April 2025, but this date is subject to change. If shortlisted, the hiring panel will be happy to answer any questions you might have. You're also welcome to reach out to us at i-dot-ai-recruitment@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Our team is based across Bristol, Manchester and London, and we work in a hybrid manner as default. This role is based in London. A minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace, although requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance. We will consider part-time and flexible working arrangements - we encourage you to discuss your needs with the hiring manager if you are offered the role.
About the role
The successful candidate will report directly to our Deputy Director, Strategy and Business Engagement, and provide support to make sure the technical work of the team is well managed. They will also work to support the Director in team operations. This includes, for example, leading on key operational processes for the team such as financial management, recruitment, staff development and other operational functions.
This is not a policy role. You will be working with a technical delivery team who are building real products to apply AI to public services. Your role is to represent this work and build relationships with partners across other Government Departments (OGDs), Delivery bodies, Ministerial offices, and some external organisations. This will require a strong understanding of the policy landscape, but this role is grounded in delivery.
This is an innovation team, and we hire team members who are collaborative, energetic, and are motivated to “get stuff done”, as well as being optimistic big picture thinkers. This role is perfect for somebody looking to operate in a start-up environment, using their skills and experience to make things happen for the public good. You will be expected to take initiative, playing a convening function to bring together the whole team, and make i.AI the best it can be. Whilst this role may have a management span, we are looking for someone who is able to, and enjoys, delivering the work. This might mean working outside of your direct remit, for example getting stuck into AI projects, recruitment, strategy or management of the team - if this sounds exciting, we’d love to hear from you!
Information session
To give you an idea of working in i.AI and to answer any questions you might have, we encourage you to attend our information session on Wednesday 30th October at 14:00. Please email us at i-dot-ai-recruitment@cabinetoffice.gov.uk and we'll send you a link to join.
Role Responsibilities
- Oversee day-to-day operations of i.AI, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness, including collaborating with senior leadership to ensure operations aligns with strategy and delivery goals.
- Manage and lead a small team of operations staff, providing guidance and support as needed.
- Develop and manage budgets, ensuring financial stability and sustainability for the team, and compliance with all key processes.
- Manage recruitment and staff development, including managing OKRs, leading on performance management for the team and working with line managers to make sure staff are effective and well supported in their roles.
- Develop an effective framework for line management, technical mentorship and performance management within the team. The team is mainly technical, with very short spans of control, so maintaining quality line management for the team is a responsibility of this role.
- Anticipate and respond to operational challenges and opportunities, making timely decisions to ensure success for the whole team.
- Represent i.AI in senior meetings and other external communications as needed. This will include representing the team to very senior stakeholders across the civil service and beyond, building credibility and influence.
- Lead by example, role modelling high quality and effective operations in your work.
- Support the effective management and performance of the team by promoting diversity, inclusion, regular, honest and constructive feedback, and supporting continuous improvement.