Deputy Director, AI Innovation and Planning - Department for Work and Pensions - SCS1

Location

Birmingham, Blackpool, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Sheffield. Please note, that for candidates requesting to work in Newcastle, this role will be based at Benton Park View, and then at 1 Pilgrim Place in Newcastle city centre by the end of 2027.

About the job

Job summary

DWP is looking to fill AI Innovation & Planning Deputy Director role in Core Digital Services (CDS).

As a collective, CDS is responsible for creating, maintaining, developing and integrating our large shared digital platforms. Our focus is on providing sustainable, reusable solutions that truly put citizens at the heart of what we do.
We’re at the forefront of payment services, data sharing and maintaining and protecting customer information. Alongside this, we’re also accelerating DWP’s responsible AI use and the department’s sustainability strategy, contributing to a future-proofed Civil Service.

Virtual Engagement Session
Date: 24th June 2026 Time: 13:00
This virtual session is an opportunity for you to find out more about the role and what it's like leading the Digital Transformation Group. You'll get the opportunity to hear directly from the vacancy holder, Jacqueline Hanson and HR Director, Beverley Morton, who will provide an overview of the role and hold a Q&A session.

Please follow this link to join the Virtual Engagement Session

Job description

• Set the strategic direction for AI and innovation across DWP, defining, delivering and continuously evolving a coherent strategy aligned with departmental transformation and wider government priorities. 
• Act as a trusted senior adviser and critical friend to Ministers and executive leadership, providing authoritative, evidence-based insight on emerging technologies, associated risks, and strategic opportunities. 
• Establish and oversee governance, standards and assurance frameworks for AI, ensuring innovation is balanced with robust risk management, clear risk appetite, and effective mitigation strategies. 
• Drive the responsible, ethical and impactful adoption of AI, embedding best practice and public trust at the heart of deployment across the Department. 
• Deliver a central, technology-agnostic innovation function, enabling the systematic identification, testing and scaling of emerging technologies aligned to DWP’s strategic priorities. 
• Direct the end-to-end delivery of innovation outputs, including proofs of concept, prototypes and strategic guidance, ensuring clear paths to adoption and scale. 
• Ensure innovation activity delivers measurable public value, improved citizen outcomes and operational efficiencies.   
• Horizon scan and evaluate new technologies and breakthrough market solutions and innovations that could systematicity future proof DWP operations 
  Identify, prioritise and scale high-impact AI opportunities, driving measurable benefits for customers and colleagues.
• Build and sustain a diverse, inclusive and high-performing team across multiple locations, fostering the capability to deliver AI initiatives safely, responsibly and effectively and encompassing research, experimentation, strategy development and delivery. 
• Promote a culture of curiosity, experimentation and continuous improvement, both within the team and across the wider Department. 
• Manage complex and high-profile stakeholder relationships, including Ministers, No.10, HM Treasury, Cabinet Office and other key partners, providing expert leadership on AI and innovation. 
• Represent DWP at senior cross-government forums, shaping the national AI agenda through engagement with DSIT, Cabinet Office and ministerial groups. 
• Influence and align senior stakeholders across government, driving collaboration to deliver shared AI and innovation ambitions. 
• Build strong relationships with industry, suppliers and cross-government partners, collaborating wherever possible to deliver shared outcomes  

Person specification

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate their knowledge, experience and skills against the following essential criteria:  

• Proven track record of designing and delivering innovative digital solutions and business strategies within large, complex organisational environments, driving measurable transformation outcomes. Highly skilled in structuring and solving complex problems, applying critical thinking to assess emerging concepts, and developing clear, evidence-based recommendations and solutions.   
• Extensive experience in developing and embedding corporate governance frameworks that ensure the ethical, responsible, and effective use of AI at scale.  
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal capabilities, with a demonstrated ability to engage, influence, and challenge senior stakeholders with clarity and confidence.   
• Inspirational and results-driven leader, with a strong ability to motivate, align, and empower teams to achieve high-impact outcomes.