Description
The Smart Data programme is one of the government's flagship digital and economic policy programmes, aiming to give people and small businesses better access to and control over their own data, unlocking innovative new services and driving competition across the economy.
As an Innovation and AI Policy Manager, you will lead horizon scanning and intelligence gathering across big, cross-cutting future areas of Smart Data focus, such as AI, public data, GDPR reform and other emerging digital policy areas. You will actively shape the future direction of the Smart Data Strategy and influence the spending review bid.
Responsibilities:
- Leading the team's horizon scanning function, monitoring and synthesising developments in areas such as AI policy, the National Data Library, GDPR reform, digital twins, or fraud prevention.
- Producing regular, accessible intelligence notes and briefings for the G7 Innovation and G7 Strategy leads, drawing out clear implications for Smart Data strategy and delivery.
- Acting as the day-to-day link between the innovation and strategy workstreams, ensuring horizon scanning intelligence actively informs strategic planning and the SR28 process.
- Taking operational ownership of cross sector use cases, maintaining records, tracking progress and keeping the team informed.
- Supporting the G7 Innovation lead's engagement with Cabinet Office, Home Office and HMRC, preparing briefings and background material for senior meetings.
Person Specification:
Essential Criteria:
- Strong analytical and horizon scanning skills, with the ability to synthesise complex and technical information from multiple sources into clear, concise intelligence products for a range of audiences.
- Experience of, or a genuine interest in, AI policy, data policy, digital regulation or a related technology policy area, with the ability to quickly get up to speed on evolving and technical subject matter.
- Excellent written communication skills, able to produce accessible briefings, intelligence notes and reports that translate technical detail into clear implications for policy and delivery.
- Strong organisational skills, with experience managing multiple cross cutting pieces of work and keeping a wide range of stakeholders updated and informed.
- Ability to build effective relationships and manage stakeholders across teams and departments, gathering and sharing intelligence in a collaborative way.
- Comfortable dealing with ambiguity and applying long term strategic thinking to link fast moving, technical developments to the wider Smart Data Strategy.
- Sound judgement in identifying emerging risks and opportunities, with the confidence to know when to escalate issues to senior colleagues.
Desirable Criteria:
- Experience of, or knowledge of, Smart Data, Open Banking or wider data sharing policy.
- Understanding of the AI governance, GDPR reform or digital verification landscape.
- Experience of research methods or structured horizon scanning techniques.
- Experience of managing external delivery partners or contracts.
Benefits:
- Salary of £44,913 - £53,230 per year
- Contribution of £13,011 towards being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%