Deputy Director for Data Science, Geospatial and Analytical Innovation

The Deputy Director role provide strategic leadership and direction across substantial areas of UKHSA business. The postholder will be accountable for delivering cross-cutting objectives, influencing senior stakeholders (including Ministers), and ensuring policy and operational delivery meets Government priorities. The Deputy Director operates in ambiguous and politically sensitive environments, providing authoritative advice, taking decisions with significant implications for public expenditure, policy direction, or UKHSA reputation. The Deputy Director defines the vision for analysis across a whole division. They shape analytical strategy, influence policy at ministerial level and across UKHSA, champion professional standards, and ensure the analytical workforce is capable, impactful, and aligned to government priorities.

The Data Science, Geospatial and Analytical Innovation Division brings together UKHSAs core expertise in advanced data science, geospatial, and innovative analytical methods. The division develops and operationalises cutting‑edge tools, models, and analytical approaches, including generative AI, machine learning, advanced statistical methods, and modern GIS, to enhance public health decision‑making, strengthen surveillance, and drive operational efficiency.

For full details, please refer to the attached Candidate Pack.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Providing strategic and functional leadership across the division and directorate.
• Setting the vision, priorities, and culture for excellence.
• Ensuring work underpins agency objectives and priorities.
• Potentially overseeing a civil service profession as UKHSA Head of Profession.
• Representing UKHSA in cross-government meetings and boards.
• Ensuring compliance with government standards for analysis and assessment (where applicable).
• Securing resources, capability, and professional development opportunities.
• Providing senior assurance and accountability for advice to senior officials.
• Providing strategic leadership for UKHSAs data science, geospatial, and analytical innovation capability, ensuring high‑quality, impactful analytical products aligned to organisational priorities.
• Overseeing delivery of advanced analytical tools, methods, and services, including data science projects, geospatial systems, and innovative AI‑ and ML‑driven approaches.
• Ensuring effective stewardship of analytical standards, tooling, and infrastructure, modernising UKHSAs analytical ecosystem and promoting best practice across the agency.
• Strengthening cross‑organisational collaboration, ensuring data science, geospatial analysis, and innovative methods support surveillance, operational response, and strategic decision‑making.

For full details, please refer to the attached Candidate Pack.

Essential Criteria

• Bachelors degree or higher with significant analytical content (e.g., statistics, data science, epidemiology, or similar), or at least 6 years of relevant experience in a comparable analytical or health-related field.
• Proven experience in strategic leadership across large, complex organisations.
• Experience shaping analytical or professional strategies.
• Ability to set vision and priorities, aligning work to organisational objectives.
• Track record of building high-performing, inclusive teams and fostering a positive culture.
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills at senior levels.
• Experience representing an organisation at internal and external senior meetings.
• Demonstrated ability to manage resources and capability at scale.
• Ability to provide authoritative advice in politically sensitive or ambiguous environments.
• Expertise in integrating AI innovation, operational research, and geospatial analysis.
• Experience leading Data science transformation.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and fostering collaboration across analytical divisions.

This role will influence the following key stakeholders:

Internal

• Director of Analysis and Intelligence Assessment
• CEO (where appropriate)
• UKHSA Heads of Functions (e.g. in Chief Operating Officer, Chief Medical Adviser and Chief Scientific Officer Groups)
• Chief Data Office Directors and Deputy Director peers

External

• Government departments and organisations e.g. Government Digital Service
• Academic leaders and research bodies
• Devolved Administrations, Departments and Organisations.
• International bodies and Government
• Private sector leaders

For full details, please refer to the attached Candidate Pack.