Army AI Discovery Manager

Ministry of Defence; Andover; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the Ministry of Defence as a Discovery Manager in the Information Directorate, where you'll lead AI projects and contribute to digital transformation efforts. This role requires strong data management skills, collaboration with diverse stakeholders, and a commitment to innovation. Enjoy competitive leave, professional development, and a supportive work environment as you help enhance the Army's operational effectiveness.

Benefits

25 days paid annual leave

Highly competitive pension scheme

Personal and professional development

Access to Employee Assistance Programme

Enhanced parental leave

Special leave for volunteering

Free parking

Access to on-site gym

Qualifications

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to gather and interpret complex data.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage with stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Knowledge of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics concepts and technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead the discovery phase of AI projects by conducting research and analysing data.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to gather requirements and define project objectives.
• Evaluate emerging technologies in AI to drive innovation within the Army AI Centre.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Collaboration

Knowledge of AI

Data analytics

Job description

Length of employment:

Job Summary:
The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants. Within that, the Army Top Level Budget (TLB) employs around 12,000 MOD Civil Servants located at over 300 locations. Ours is a diverse workforce, with roles ranging from trainers, human resources, teachers, and psychologists to storekeepers, financiers, project and programme managers, and policy secretariat staff. There are many different functions and professions delivering key outputs for the Army.

Step into the future of warfare with the Information Directorate, where data drives decisions and digital dominance defines victory. We lead in strategic data management, intelligence, and cutting-edge technology, delivering the tools that give the Army a decisive edge on the modern battlefield.
As part of our civil servant team, you'll be at the forefront of information warfare, countering disinformation, safeguarding critical data, and ensuring information integrity in a rapidly evolving digital battlespace. You'll work with state-of-the-art tools, including AI, advanced analytics, and next-gen tech, helping the Army outthink, outmanoeuvre, and outpace its adversaries.

In the Information Directorate, you'll turn that vision into reality. From strengthening cyber resilience to driving digital transformation on the front lines, your expertise will shape the Army's future. You'll collaborate with a diverse network of experts, deploying innovative strategies to maintain the Army's dominance in an increasingly contested information environment.

This is more than a job-it's your chance to redefine digital defence, push the boundaries of innovation, and directly contribute to the Army's lethality and operational effectiveness.

Join us. Shape the future. Strengthen the force.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job Description:
We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Discovery Manager to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in data analysis and management with an awareness of digital projects. The Discovery Manager at the Army AI Centre is responsible for leading and managing the discovery phase of AI projects within the Army. This role involves identifying opportunities for AI integration, conducting research, and collaborating with stakeholders to define project requirements. The Discovery Manager plays a crucial role in shaping the direction of AI initiatives within the Army by exploring innovative solutions and technologies.

In this role you will :

• Empower Decision-Making: Manage and deploy relevant data and tools that provide actionable insights to leadership, enabling data-driven decision-making at all levels
• Drive Cultural Change: Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement by championing the use of digital technologies across the directorate, providing training and support to empower teams to embrace new ways of working
• Champion Modern Ways of Working: Support the drive for governance and ethics around the Army's adoption of digitalisation in accordance with Defence /cross government and Army design Authority policies and direction
• Collaborate for Success: Partner with Defence Digital, Head Office, and the Strategic Hub to ensure alignment with broader MOD digital / data strategies and leverage best practices
• Shape the Future: Stay at the forefront of digital and data advancements including AI, continuously exploring new applications and opportunities to enhance the directorate's capabilities

Key Responsibilities will include:

• Lead the discovery phase of AI projects by conducting research, analysing data, and identifying opportunities for AI integration within the Army
• Collaborate with stakeholders, including military personnel, researchers, and industry partners, to gather requirements and define project objectives
• Evaluate emerging technologies and trends in AI to inform decision-making and drive innovation within the Army AI Centre
• Develop project plans, timelines, and budgets for the discovery phase of AI projects, ensuring alignment with overall strategic goals
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure successful project delivery, including researchers, developers, and project managers
• Communicate project findings, recommendations, and progress updates to senior leadership and key stakeholders
• Stay up-to-date with advancements in AI technology, best practices, and industry standards to continuously improve the discovery process
• Provide guidance and mentorship to team members involved in the discovery phase of AI projects

This opportunity will place you at the centre of data and digital transformation, driving efficiency and optimisation of data across the Army, it will require you to work across directorates and closely with Defence level organisations. The need for data and digital skills and capabilities is growing exponentially, and you will be able to influence much of this at the start of the transformation journey.

The Army prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance.

Other benefits for Army civil servants include:

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years' service
• Highly competitive pension scheme
• Personal and professional development of skills
• Alternative working patterns for many roles
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a free service that assists you with achieving a productive, healthy environment that is conducive to a healthy lifestyle
• Enhanced parental and adoption leave
• 6 days special leave per year which can be used for volunteering activities
• Learning and Development
• Free parking
• Access to on-site gym

We believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career. This includes working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking a modern apprenticeship as part of your role.

A modern apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through the schemes available you will gain a professional qualification, practical experience, and the broader skills required to develop in your current role and pave the way for your future career.

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ .

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey - We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who can handle the pressure of coordinating a wide range of activities and should be comfortable working within the data and digital profession, willing to challenge established norms and process and be prepared to adapt to changing priorities. Applicants should also have effective written and verbal communication skills and display a positive and professional attitude.

Essential Criteria:

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to gather and interpret complex data
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage with stakeholders at all levels
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and collaborate with cross-functional teams
• Knowledge of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics concepts and technologies

Desirable Criteria:

• Awareness of project management principles and methodologies
• Awareness of business process improvement techniques
• Familiarity of the business function areas within and across the Army

At application you will be assessed against the following -

Behaviours -

• Changing and Improving (lead behaviour)
• Communicating and Influencing

When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.

Technical -

Taken from the Government Digital and Date Profession Capability Framework Data analyst - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework

• Data Analyst - data quality assurance, validation and linkage - working level & Data Analyst - data visualisation - working level

Applications will be sifted using all elements listed above, but in the event of a high number of applications, a sift will be conducted on the lead behaviour only: Changing and Improving.

At interview you will be assessed against the following behaviours -

• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

Application sifting will be scheduled to take place within 7 days of the application closing date. Interview dates are to be confirmed but these will be held in person at Army Headquarters, Andover. We endeavour to keep to these time frames, but these are subject to change around business needs.

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: .

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system.

Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.