Data & AI Operations Lead

Across government, the increasing use of data and artificial intelligence is transforming how organisations operate, make decisions and deliver services. As digital and data portfolios expand, the need for strong operational support, governance and coordination becomes critical to ensuring that programmes run effectively, comply with standards and deliver value. Ofgem plays a vital role in the UKs energy system, protecting consumers and enabling a more secure, fair and sustainable energy future, and effective operational leadership is essential to supporting this transformation.

Ofgem is on an ambitious transformation journey. Within the Digital, Data and Security Services (DDSS) directorate, we are building a modern data and AI capability, supported by a growing portfolio of digital, data and AI initiatives. Alongside this, the Chief Digital, Data and AI function (CDAIO) requires strong operational coordination to ensure that priorities are planned, governed and delivered effectively.

As a Data and AI Operations Lead, you will play a key role in supporting the effective operation of the CDAIO function. You will provide oversight across financial management, governance, planning and coordination, ensuring that leadership teams have the information, structure and support needed to manage complex initiatives. You will act as a central point of coordination, helping to align activity across teams, support decision-making and ensure compliance with government standards.

This is a broad and high-impact role requiring strong organisational, analytical and stakeholder engagement skills. You will operate across a complex environment, balancing operational detail with strategic awareness, and ensuring that systems and processes enable effective delivery.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading financial tracking and reporting across CDAIO activities, including budgets, people costs, technology spend and project expenditure.

• Producing accurate forecasts and reports to support senior leadership decision-making and ensure compliance with financial controls.

• Providing governance and administrative support for leadership meetings, boards and cross-government forums, ensuring high-quality documentation and clear tracking of actions and decisions.

• Planning and coordinating CDAIO initiatives, including scheduling key meetings, engagement activities and delivery milestones.

• Developing and maintaining delivery plans that align operational activity with organisational priorities.

• Supporting data literacy and engagement initiatives, helping to build awareness and capability across the organisation.

• Ensuring adherence to Knowledge and Information Management (KIM) standards and government project delivery frameworks.

• Supporting risk management and assurance processes, embedding strong governance practices across AI and data initiatives.

• Acting as a key point of contact for operational queries, facilitating collaboration across teams and stakeholders.

We are looking for:

A proactive, organised and detail-oriented professional who can operate effectively across governance, finance and operational coordination in a complex environment. You will be comfortable working with senior stakeholders, managing competing priorities and ensuring that processes run smoothly and efficiently.

You may come from an operations, PMO, governance or business support background, but you will demonstrate:

• Experience managing budgets and tracking financial information across projects or programmes

• Strong governance and administrative skills, including preparing board materials and maintaining action logs

• Experience planning and coordinating meetings, events and delivery activity

• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills

• Understanding of information management, governance and compliance requirements

Awareness of digital, data and AI concepts, and experience working in a government or regulated environment, would be beneficial.

This is an opportunity to play a central role in enabling Ofgems data and AI transformation. You will help ensure that the organisations most innovative and strategic initiatives are effectively supported, governed and delivered in a structured, compliant and efficient way.

Essential Criteria

• Experience managing budgets and tracking costs for people, technology, and projects (Lead Criteria).
• Strong governance and administrative skills, including preparing board papers and action logs (Lead Criteria).
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills at senior levels.
• Ability to plan and coordinate meetings, events, and delivery schedules.
• Knowledge of information management standards and compliance requirements.
• Awareness of digital, data, and AI concepts and their application in government.
• Competence in MS 365 tools (Excel, SharePoint, Teams) for reporting and collaboration.

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge of energy sector AI challenges, the transition to net-zero, including regulatory and affordability implications.
• Experience of working in a cloud-first organisation.