AI Adoption Change Lead

Version 1; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology services company in Newcastle upon Tyne is seeking an AI Adoption Change Lead to oversee the AI Code Assistant Adoption Programme. This role is critical in enabling departmental champions to embrace AI and drive sustainable change. Ideal candidates will have substantial experience in change management, particularly using ADKAR, with a strong educational background in organizational development. The position offers competitive benefits including flexibility and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Quarterly Performance-Related Profit Share

Flexible/remote working

Financial Wellbeing initiatives

Employee Wellbeing schemes

Educational assistance and training

Qualifications

• Prosci ADKAR Certification or Certified Change Practitioner is required.
• Degree or postgraduate education in related fields is required.
• 5-10 years of progressive change delivery experience is required.
• Continuous professional development in change is important.

Responsibilities

• Implement change strategies for assigned departments.
• Onboard departmental champions via training and coaching.
• Design and conduct workshops and skills labs.

Skills

ADKAR change management

Implementation of change strategies

Workshop facilitation

Confidence building

Education

Degree in Organizational Development or related field

Job description

Company Description

Version 1 has celebrated over 28 years in Technology Services and continues to be trusted by global brands to deliver solutions that drive customer success. Our expertise enables our customers to navigate the rapidly changing Digital-First world we live in. We foster strong partnerships with leading technology giants including Microsoft, AWS, Oracle, Red Hat, OutSystems, Snowflake, ensuring that our customers are provided with the highest quality solutions and services.

We’re an award-winning employer reflecting how our employees are at the very heart of Version 1 and what we do:

• UK & Ireland's premier AWS, Microsoft & Oracle partner
• 3300+ strong, €350/£300m revenue business
• 10+ years as a Great Place to Work in Ireland & UK
• Best Workplace for Women in the UK & Ireland by GPTW
• Best Workplace for Wellbeing in the UK by GPTW

We’re a core values driven company, we hire people who share our values, and we reward those who display and foster them, it’s deeply embedded within our DNA. Invest in us and we’ll invest in you!

Job Description

We’rehiringanAI Adoption ChangeLeadto deliver the DSIT AI Code Assistant AdoptionProgramme—a high-visibility, cross-government initiative transforming how 1,000+ civil service engineers work with AI.

This is a hands-on delivery role at the intersection of change management and public sector delivery. You will enable 8–12 departmental champions across diverse contexts to drive sustainable adoption—working closely with technical specialists (Forward Deployed Engineers, Security Leads) while owning the people-side of transformation: addressing fears, building desire, and embedding lastingbehaviours.

What You’ll Do

• Implement sector-specific change strategies for assigned departments
• Onboard and enable 8–12 departmental champions via ADKAR training and coaching
• Design and run workshops, skills labs and facilitated “future of work” conversations
• Diagnose ADKAR blockages and design targeted interventions
• Create sector-specific adaptations (archetypes, language guides, quick-wins libraries)
• Build champions’ confidence and capability to independently drive change

Qualifications

• ProsciADKAR Certification or Prosci Certified Change Practitioner
• Degree/postgrad in OD, HR, Org Psychology, Business, Change or related
• 5–10 years progressive change delivery in complex environments
• Evidence of continuous professional development in change

Desirable

• Sector experience in NHS, Justice, Local Government, Emergency Services, Education
• AI or emerging technology adoption programmes
• Centre of Excellence / practice-building experience
• Chartered MCIPD (or working towards)
• Executive coaching (ILM L7, EMCC, ICF)
• Additional methods (Kotter, Bridges, Lean Change)
• SC clearance (desirable; can be obtained via ADS partnership if required)

Additional Information

Why Version 1?

At Version 1, we believe in providing our employees with a comprehensive benefits package that prioritises their wellbeing, professional growth, and financial stability.

• Share in our success with our Quarterly Performance-Related Profit Share Scheme, where employees collectively benefit from a share of our company's profits.
• Strong Career Progression & mentorship coaching through our Strength in Balance & Leadership schemes with a dedicated quarterly Pathways Career Development programme.
• Flexible/remote working, Version 1 is tremendously understanding of life events and people’s individual circumstances and offer flexibility to help achieve a healthy work life balance.
• Financial Wellbeing initiatives including; Pension, Private Healthcare Cover, Life Assurance, Financial advice and an Employee Discount scheme.
• Employee Wellbeing schemes including Gym Discounts, Bike to Work, Fitness classes, Mindfulness Workshops, Employee Assistance Programme and much more. Generous holiday allowance, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, marriage/civil partnership leave and special leave policies.
• Educational assistance, incentivised certifications, and accreditations, including AWS, Microsoft, Oracle, and Red Hat.
• Reward schemes including Version 1’s Annual Excellence Awards & ‘Call-Out’ platform.
• Environment, Social and Community First initiatives allow you to get involved in local fundraising and development opportunities as part of fostering our diversity, inclusion and belonging schemes.

And many more exciting benefits… drop us a note to find out more.

[e-mail] #LI-AS1 #LI-Hybrid