AI Accelerator Lead

Ordnance Survey; England; On-site; GBP 79,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Competitive salary and pension

Performance-related bonus

28 days annual leave + bank holidays

Enhanced family leave

Job summary

Ordnance Survey in Southampton is seeking an AI Accelerator Lead to design and drive a high-impact AI initiative. You will lead rapid prototyping, coordinate capability building, and work across product, data, and tech teams to embed responsible AI in real-world use cases.

The role combines technical leadership with programme design, governance, and stakeholder engagement in a hybrid, UK-based setting. You’ll influence complex AI deployments and scalable solutions while mentoring teams and

Qualifications

• Proven experience in AI/ML engineering, software development, and technical leadership
• Strong understanding of modern AI techniques (LLMs, agentic systems, orchestration frameworks)
• Ability to write production-grade code and define engineering best practices
• Skilled in programme design, stakeholder engagement, and the evaluation of impact
• Passion for responsible AI adoption, including human-in-the-loop workflows and ethical application
• Familiarity with AI governance frameworks, regulatory compliance, and secure software engineering practices
• Ability to mentor, inspire, and influence across diverse teams
• Commitment to continuous learning and staying current with emerging AI technologies and industry best practices

Responsibilities

• Programme Leadership: Design and operate the AI Accelerator as a structured, high-impact programme that drives experimentation and capability development across OS.
• Exploration & Innovation: Investigate emerging AI techniques, identify high-value applications, and surface risks and opportunities for the business.
• Technical Delivery: Own the design and build of prototypes, write production-grade code, conduct code reviews, and guide from concept to scalable solution.
• Capability Building: Mentor participants, energise the AI Guild, and curate learning resources to strengthen skills.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Partner with product, data, and technology teams to align initiatives with priorities and ethics.
• Communicating Impact: Track outcomes and recommendations to senior stakeholders to inform roadmaps and investment.

Skills

AI Governance

AI Integration

AI Systems

Artificial Intelligence Ethics

Python (Programming Language)

Secure Software Development Lifecycle

Solution Architecture

Stakeholder Engagement

Team Leadership

Project Delivery

Agile Principles

Cloud Development

User Research

Product Development

Collaboration

Communication

Problem Solving

Strategic Thinking

Innovation

Responsible AI

Job description

AI Accelerator Lead (full-time)

Salary £79,079.00 - £92,258.00 (dependent on experience)

Hybrid working

Southampton

Ordnance Survey (OS) is the national mapping agency for Great Britain, delivering world-class geospatial data and services that power innovation across government, business, and society. We’re on a mission to unlock the full potential of location data and now, we’re accelerating that vision through artificial intelligence.

The Opportunity

Lead the establishment of Ordnance Survey’s AI Accelerator - a strategic initiative designed to unlock enterprise-wide value from AI. This is a unique opportunity to combine technical leadership with programme-level influence, driving innovation through rapid prototyping, capability building, and cross-functional collaboration.

You’ll work as part of a multidisciplinary team exploring advanced AI techniques such as geo foundation models, agentic systems, and LLM orchestration. Your goal: deliver high-impact prototypes that evolve into scalable, production-ready solutions, embedding AI in real-world contexts to reduce adoption friction and build organisational confidence in responsible AI use.

What You’ll Do

Programme Leadership: Design and operate the AI Accelerator as a structured, high-impact programme that drives experimentation, rapid prototyping, and capability development across OS.

Exploration & Innovation: Investigate emerging AI techniques, identify high-value applications, and surface associated risks and opportunities for the business.

Technical Delivery: Own the design and build of prototypes, write production-grade code, conduct code reviews, and guide the transition from concept to scalable solution.

Capability Building: Mentor participants, energise the AI Guild, and curate learning resources to strengthen skills and foster a culture of responsible experimentation.

Stakeholder Engagement: Partner with product, data, and technology teams to align initiatives with strategic priorities and ethical standards.

Communicating Impact: Track and communicate outcomes, insights, and recommendations to senior stakeholders, informing roadmap decisions and future investment.

About You

• Proven experience in AI/ML engineering, software development, and technical leadership

• Strong understanding of modern AI techniques (LLMs, agentic systems, orchestration frameworks)

• Ability to write production-grade code and define engineering best practices

• Skilled in programme design, stakeholder engagement, and the evaluation of impact

• Passion for responsible AI adoption, including human-in-the-loop workflows and ethical application

• Familiarity with AI governance frameworks, regulatory compliance, and secure software engineering practices

• Ability to mentor, inspire, and influence across diverse teams

• Commitment to continuous learning and staying current with emerging AI technologies and industry best practices

Why Join OS?

• Be at the forefront of AI innovation in geospatial technology

• Work on cutting-edge projects with real-world impact

• Enjoy a collaborative, inclusive culture with flexible working options

• Access to professional development, competitive benefits, and a supportive environment

The Rewards

We want you to love what you do and feel supported to do your best work.

• Competitive salary and pension (OS contribute up to 12.07%)

• Performance‑related bonus (where applicable)

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with service)

• Enhanced family leave, including paid partner leave

• Hybrid and flexible working options

• Learning and development support, coaching and mentoring

• Free subscription to OS Maps and access to wellbeing support

• Volunteering leave and matched fundraising

Closing date

Sunday 04 October @23:59pm

Interview location

Interviews will be held in person at Explorer House, Ordnance Survey Head Office.

Location & Working pattern

We embrace a hybrid working model at OS, because we believe in flexibility and balance. You’ll be based at our fantastic HQ in Southampton, Hampshire, where you'll spend 50% of your working week collaborating face-to-face with colleagues. It’s all about combining the best of both worlds connection and autonomy to help you thrive.

Security & eligibility

OS conducts pre-employment checks for anyone made an offer of employment, including identity, right to work, employment history and criminal record checks (via Disclosure & Barring Services (DBS).

Some of our roles may require additional security vetting. We will advise candidates during the recruitment process if additional vetting may be required for that specific role.

This role requires the right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, OS cannot provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Inclusion at OS

Research shows that people from underrepresented groups often hesitate to apply unless they meet every requirement. At Ordnance Survey, we’re committed to building a diverse, inclusive and welcoming workplace.

If this role excites you but your experience doesn’t match every point, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right person for this role or another opportunity at OS.

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that people may need during the recruitment process, and you will be asked whether you require any during the application process.

Who we are

We are Ordnance Survey, Great Britain’s national mapping service and a pioneer in geospatial technology. With over 230 years of trusted data, we empower better decisions, deeper understanding, and meaningful connections to the places we live, move through, and care for.

Three principles one direction

• Clear the path – Cut the noise. Simplify. Move at pace
• Seek the story – Listen. Understand. Speak up
• Do what matters – Focus on value

Our principles unite us in delivering our Data & Destinations strategy with more simplicity, more clarity, and renewed momentum for each other and for our customers.

They’re here to create more good days, and fewer harder ones but only if each one of us plays our part.

Skills required for this role

Agile Principles, AI Governance, AI Integration, AI Systems, Artificial Intelligence Ethics, Cloud Development, Collaboration, Communication, Innovation, Problem Solving, Product Development, Project Delivery, Python (Programming Language), Responsible AI, Secure Software Development Lifecycle, Solution Architecture, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Thinking, Team Leadership, User Research