Head of Foundational Capabilities AI and Digital

Innovate UK; England; Remote; GBP 69,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading public innovation organization in the UK is seeking a Head of Foundational Capabilities AI And Digital. The role involves developing and delivering innovation strategies for AI and digital technologies, managing a diverse portfolio of projects, and collaborating with various stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in AI, programme management experience, and exceptional leadership skills. This position offers a competitive salary and the possibility for flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

30 days annual leave

Flexible working hours

Exceptional pension scheme

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of AI, Machine Learning, and digital technologies.
• Experience leading high-performance teams across multiple locations.
• Ability to influence without direct control.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver innovation strategies related to AI and digital technologies.
• Line management of technical and innovation specialists.
• Ensure value for money in funding programmes.

Skills

Leadership

Programme management

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Education

Degree or post-graduate qualification in relevant subject

Job description

Overview

Head Of Foundational Capabilities AI And Digital – UKRI Innovate UK internal recruitment notice. Location: Field based. Contract: Permanent. Salary: £68,525 gross per annum. Reports to: Director of AI & Digital, Digital & Technologies Domain.

Applications must be submitted by 17-10-2025. This advert closes on the 16th of October 2025 at 23.59pm. Innovate UK recognises the importance of work-life balance and we will be happy to discuss any requests for flexible working arrangements.

Context: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is recognised as one of the six frontier technologies. The AI Opportunities Action Plan sets out an ambitious roadmap for the UK to strengthen its global leadership in AI. The role holder will operate within the AI & Digital directorate which is part of the Innovate UK Digital and Technologies domain. We particularly welcome female applicants as women are under-represented within Innovate UK in this type of role.

Job Purpose

As Head of Foundational Capabilities, you will have responsibility for the development and delivery of innovation strategies for Innovate UK with a specific focus on the capabilities and infrastructure that underpins AI and digital technologies to deliver economic growth and societal impact and help to deliver against the Governments AI Opportunities Action Plan. The role is responsible for the initiation, monitoring, forecasting and day to day management of a complex portfolio of technology projects at the very cutting edge of research and development. You will work with colleagues across UKRI and a wide range of external stakeholders across business, academia and government. You will also work closely with Business Connect, Business Growth and the Catapult Network.

Key Responsibilities And Accountabilities

• Line management of technical and innovation specialists, managing their development and enabling them to deliver to a high standard
• Work collaboratively to support the creation and execution of Innovate UK/DSIT strategies and interventions related to the infrastructure and capabilities underpinning AI and digital technologies development
• Support the wider organisation to meet strategic objectives as appropriate
• Be a strong advocate of the core values of UKRI and Innovate UK, representing the team and organisation at meetings, workshops and conferences
• Responsible for delivery of programmes funding against budgets, ensuring value for money at all times
• Responsible for overall performance (cost and outcomes) of all projects in line with UKRI objectives and delivery plan
• Accountable for ensuring the end-to-end funding process is followed, including evaluating outputs, outcomes and impact
• Develop and exploit appropriate international links to ensure the programmes maximise the potential of international engagement and global markets
• The post holder will be expected to work closely with the other Heads of Function across the organisation, particularly within Products and Services, Domains and Place teams
• Work closely with relevant bodies across business, academia, Government, trade associations, standards and regulatory bodies etc. in the sector, to inform and influence programme development and delivery
• Deputise for the Director of AI & Digital when required

This is not an exhaustive list and you might be encouraged to undertake any other duties across the wider directorate, commensurate with the Band and level of responsibility of this post, for which the post holder has the key experience and/or training.

Shortlisting criteria

(S) Assessed at shortlisting

(I) Assessed at interview

(S&I) Assessed at both shortlisting and interview

Person Specification

This position requires a person with strong programme management, leadership and influencing skills, a deep understanding of the sector and technology area, and a passion to see the UK achieve further success in the area.

The successful candidate will be capable of leading large programmes with diverse stakeholders and influencing the creation and implementation of organizational improvements. A proven ability to lead, work with and develop a team, and be equally comfortable and confident to work on your own initiative is essential.

The role holder will be motivated to achieve goals that enable the success of others (colleagues and UK companies). The successful candidate will be adept at working collaboratively with and across industry, research, UKRI and government, building consensus and maintaining strong relationships.

Essential

Experience & Qualifications:

• Degree or post-graduate qualification in a relevant subject, or substantial equivalent experience. (S)
• Good knowledge of AI, Machine Learning and digital technologies, and understanding of related areas such as High Performance Computing, Semiconductors, Photonics, Quantum and Telecoms (S&I)
• Proven ability to lead and motivate a high-performance team across multiple locations within a matrix organisation to deliver exceptional results (S&I)
• Shaping and leading large, multi-year programmes of work including managing budgets, exercising financial controls and tracking related impacts (I)
• Good knowledge of the innovation landscape in Government, business and academia
• Knowledge of policy relating to innovation, research and technology (I)
• Experience in creating, leading and maintaining productive relationships between organisations where there is a high degree of ambiguity in the boundaries between them (I)
• Experience of achieving results through influencing skills rather than direct control (I)
• Ability to absorb, evaluate and communicate complex information in language appropriate to the audience both orally and in writing (I)

Skills

• Excellent management and relationship-building skills
• Resilient with the ability to manage difficult situations in a professional manner
• Annual work programme planning and team objective setting
• Proven ability to think strategically and deliver operationally
• Capable of delivering in a field working environment
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including influencing, tact, discretion and experience of liaising with stakeholders and staff

Competencies

All team members demonstrate compatibility with and capability against our Core Competencies such as:

Thinking and Problem Solving, Stakeholder management, Communication skills, Influencing, Self-awareness/self-management, Strategic awareness, Working with others, Project management

Some of the above competencies will be assessed at interview stage, in addition to the criterias listed in the person specification.

Travel Requirements

Field-based: There will a requirement to travel, mostly national, and there is some flexibility in this. Innovate UK staff make extensive use of telepresence tools for meetings to minimise unnecessary travel.

Equality, Diversity And Inclusion

Innovate UK is a diverse workforce of people. We believe that encouraging these differences and drawing the best from them will build a productive environment in which everyone feels valued, where talents are fully utilised and in which organisational goals are met. Underpinning this is a belief that it is a fundamental right for everyone to be treated equally, with fairness, respect and dignity. We will act directly and use our influence to ensure that this right is promoted and upheld; we encourage applications from all those who meet the criteria set-out in our role profiles.

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer, committed to employing any person who meets the criteria for our roles. When undertaking recruitment we may require applicants to undertake certain tests or assessments, some of which will be online and others may be in-person. If you have a disability, heath condition or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia then you may be entitled to support with undertaking this type of assessment exercise. Where you feel that reasonable adjustments are required to support you, we ask that you advise your recruitment point of contact in a timely fashion, providing further information. In confidence, Innovate UK will then review your application for adjustments and provide support as required.

UK Research And Innovation

Innovate UK is partner organisation within UK Research and Innovation. If successful in securing the position, your employer will be UK Research and Innovation. More information can be found online http://www.ukri.org/.

Employee Benefits

We offer a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work/life balance. This includes 30 days annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege days, flexible working hours, an exceptional defined benefit pension scheme, and access to a variety of support networks and discount schemes. Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

Flexible Working

We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants.

Pre-employment Screening

To enable us to hire the very best people we will conduct a comprehensive pre-employment check on successful applicants as part of the recruitment process. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider how this aligns with your personal values or beliefs. To enable us to hire the very best people we will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as a crucial part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check.

Applications must be submitted by;
17-10-2025