Innovation and AI Policy Manager

Government Recruitment Service; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

Government Recruitment Service in Belfast seeks a Senior Executive Officer for Innovation and AI Policy to lead horizon scanning and intelligence gathering across AI, public data, and GDPR reform. You will shape the Smart Data Strategy and provide actionable insights for senior government teams.

You will translate technical policy developments into clear, strategic recommendations, coordinating across departments and used in SR28 planning and annual spend reviews.

Qualifications

• Analytical and curious policy professional with experience in AI and digital policy.
• Ability to translate complex information into clear, actionable insight.
• Experience working across government departments and teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead horizon scanning and intelligence gathering on AI, data, GDPR reform.
• Produce regular intelligence notes and briefings for senior leads.
• Act as day-to-day link between innovation and strategy workstreams.
• Take operational ownership of cross-sector use cases and track progress.
• Prepare briefings and background material for senior meetings with Cabinet Office and other departments.

Skills

Horizon scanning

Policy analysis

Briefing notes

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Smart Data is one of the government's flagship digital and economic policy programmes, giving people and small businesses better access to and control over their own data, unlocking innovative new services and driving competition across the economy. We are looking for an analytical and curious policy professional to join our team as Senior Executive Officer (SEO) for Innovation and AI Policy.

You will lead horizon scanning and intelligence gathering across big, cross-cutting future areas of Smart Data focus - such as AI, public data, GDPR reform and other emerging digital policy areas. You will actively shape the future direction of the Smart Data Strategy and influence our spending review bid. You will also take operational ownership of cross sector use cases and work closely with the G7 Digital Innovation Policy lead and colleagues across government.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys making sense of a fast moving and technical policy landscape, translating complex information into clear and actionable insight, and working across a broad range of teams and government departments.

Innovation and AI Policy Manager

Company: Government Recruitment Service Salary: £44,913 to £53,230 a year Hours: Full-time Location: Belfast Job type: Temporary Posting date: 12 Oct 2026 Closing date: 26 Oct 2026

What you will be doing

• Leading the team's horizon scanning function, monitoring and synthesising developments in areas that may include AI policy, the National Data Library, GDPR reform, digital twins, or fraud prevention.
• Producing regular, accessible intelligence notes and briefings for the G7 Innovation and G7 Strategy leads, drawing out clear implications for Smart Data strategy and delivery.
• Acting as the day-to-day link between the innovation and strategy workstreams, ensuring horizon scanning intelligence actively informs strategic planning and the SR28 process.
• Taking operational ownership of cross sector use cases, maintaining records, tracking progress and keeping the team informed.
• Supporting the G7 Innovation lead's engagement with Cabinet Office, Home Office and HMRC, preparing briefings and background material for senior meetings.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident

Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.