Innovation and AI Policy Manager

Government Recruitment Service; Salford; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Disability Confident

Job summary

Government Recruitment Service is seeking an analytical and curious policy professional to join Smart Data as Innovation and AI Policy Manager. You will lead horizon scanning and intelligence gathering across future AI policy, public data, GDPR reform, and other digital policy areas, shaping the Smart Data Strategy.

This role offers a chance to influence spending reviews and work with government teams, Cabinet Office and Home Office.

Responsibilities

• Leading horizon scanning and intelligence gathering across AI policy, public data, GDPR reform and emerging digital policy areas.
• Producing regular, accessible intelligence notes and briefings for senior leads, drawing out implications for Smart Data strategy.
• Acting as the day-to-day link between innovation and strategy workstreams, informing SR28 planning.
• Taking operational ownership of cross-sector use cases, tracking progress and updating the team.
• Supporting engagement with Cabinet Office, Home Office and HMRC, briefing senior meetings.

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.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Innovation and AI Policy Manager

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

Summary

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.

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.

About Disability Confident

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