Head of Data and AI Platforms

Head of Data and AI Platforms– up to £86,500 + benefits & highly-flexible working (London, Glasgow or Cardiff)

Across government, the ability to unlock value from data and AI is becoming central to how organisations improve services, strengthen decision-making and deliver better outcomes for citizens. Ofgem’s Common Data Platform is a unified data foundation that supports secure, automated data processing and enables event-driven architecture, self-service analytics and AI integration. This role sits at the centre of that ambition.
Ofgem works on behalf of energy consumers to ensure that every household and business in the UK can rely on a safe, affordable and environmentally sustainable energy supply. As the organisation continues to evolve and accelerate its digital and data ambitions, the Head of Data and AI Platforms will play a pivotal role in shaping the engineering capability, platform performance and operational foundations that support that journey.

Team context
The Head of Data and AI Platforms is a senior leadership role within DDSS, aligned in part with the Head of Data Engineering role in the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework. Reporting into Chief Data & AI Officer, you will oversee the platform engineering, operations and automation capability that underpins Ofgem’s data and AI strategy.

Working closely with data governance colleagues, the Head of AI & Analytics and wider digital leadership, you will ensure the platform enables trusted, governed data to be used effectively across the organisation. You will also be responsible for helping shape the engineering capability needed to deliver Ofgem’s data and AI ambitions at pace and scale.

Overview of the role
As Head of Data and AI Platforms, you will ensure Ofgem can use data to make better decisions, shape policy and improve services. You will be accountable for the quality, performance, benefits and outcomes of the data and AI platform services, and for the leadership of the engineering teams that design, run and continuously improve them.

This is an opportunity to combine strategic direction with hands-on service and capability leadership. You will help define the platform roadmap, strengthen data engineering maturity, and ensure that responsible use of AI and data is embedded throughout the organisation’s engineering landscape.
You will be responsible for:
Overseeing multiple Data and ML Engineering teams, directly managing senior colleagues and ensuring strong performance across platform services.
Setting the strategic direction for the data and AI platform, engineering and automation capabilities.
Working with AI and data leadership colleagues to build the engineering capability required to deliver Ofgem’s data and AI strategy.
Ensuring responsible use of AI and data across the data engineering platform, in collaboration with data governance colleagues and the Head of Data Science.
Managing resources and budgets effectively to support delivery, service performance and continuous improvement.
Contributing as a member of the Data Leadership team to the direction, strategy and roadmap for Ofgem’s AI, automation and data ambitions.
Ensuring platform services deliver trusted, governed data that improves reporting, insights and digital delivery.
Building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including suppliers, professional bodies and government data communities.

What we are looking for

Essential
Proven experience of overall ownership of the delivery and continuous improvement of enterprise-wide data services and demonstrating their value to the organisation.
Proven experience of developing and delivering a capability development plan for data teams
Proven experience of mentoring senior level data and AI specialists
Demonstrable evidence of contributing to building data capabilities.
Proven experience in influencing senior executive level stakeholders in support of strategic plans for delivery of enterprise services.

Desirable
Knowledge of energy sector data and AI challenges, the transition to netzero, including regulatory and affordability implications.

This is an opportunity to play a significant role in Ofgem’s journey as part of a high-performing team shaping how data and AI capabilities are delivered and scaled across the organisation. We are looking for someone who combines strategic thinking, platform leadership and a strong commitment to delivering practical outcomes.

If you are interested in applying for this vacancy, please reach out to Mercedes Sargant on 020 8253 1806, or via email at [email protected]