Defence AI Centre Engagement Team Leader (Lead Business Analyst)

Defence Digital ensures our Armed Forces remain among the most technologically advanced in the world by putting cutting-edge data science, automation, and cybersecurity solutions into the hands of over 200,000 users. Defence Digital’s mission goes beyond the battlefield by leading humanitarian efforts and driving digital innovation that impacts lives across the globe.

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Working to harness the game-changing power of AI, the Defence AI Centre (DAIC) enables and accelerates ambitious, safe, and responsible adoption by teams across UK MOD for strategic advantage.

As part of the DAIC, you’ll be a crucial member of a world-class, and multi-disciplinary team at the forefront of AI innovation. You’ll support our collaboration with organisations across UK MOD, international partners, government agencies, industry leaders, and academic specialists to shape the future of UK Defence AI - safeguarding our interests at home and abroad.

The DAIC is a federated UK MOD organisation, led by Defence Digital who are responsible for the recruitment of this role.  Put simply, nowhere is AI innovation more important than Defence. If you are passionate about using your skills to make a critical difference, then your next career move could be here!

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

We are seeking a Lead Business Analyst to lead DAIC’s Engagement Team. The Engagement Team is at the very heart of DAIC’s remit, responsible for fostering, maintaining, and leading internal partnerships and relationships across the UK Ministry of Defence and beyond.

This team is therefore the ‘face’ of the DAIC across the UK MOD. We use a variety of crucial engagement channels to inform priorities across our portfolio and support AI decision making in wider Defence.  You will be responsible for a team providing advice and support to organisations right across MOD on this cutting-edge technology. This will demand representing all aspects of DAIC’s business and maintaining a comprehensive understanding of AI in Defence – with over 400 initiatives already being tracked to enhance Defence from the back office to the Front Line.

Your key contributions will be:

• Develop and refine plans to develop the team to best deliver its critical functions, iterating our operating model as part of the wider DAIC and with our partners.
• Ensure effective collation and coherence of demand into DAIC, informing the wider DAIC Portfolio and its priorities based on broad insight into what Defence most needs to accelerate the adoption of AI.
• Oversee maintaining and developing our close partnerships with key teams across MOD, to develop a more integrated and efficient approach to our work.
• Oversee maintaining and developing a range of established AI Communities, both in-person and virtually, and building further when we identify opportunities to do so.
• Line management of crown servants, and contract management to provide external assistance into the team, including resource allocations.
• Support wider DAIC implementation plans, with tasks allocated based on personal development and business need.

To find out more about the roles and responsibilities of a Lead Business Analyst, please refer to the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework: Business analyst - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework

Person specification

This role presents an exciting opportunity within a fast-paced techno-political context where A exploitation is rapidly advancing across the Ministry of Defence and beyond.

We are therefore looking for a self-starting, collaborative, and ambitious individual with a passion for AI and related digital technologies.

A strong drive to work beyond boundaries is essential—bringing coherence to AI initiatives across MOD teams, shaping DAIC’s support, and influencing UK MOD and Government strategy.  The ideal candidate brings a proven track record of resilient leadership and an analytical mindset capable of cutting through ambiguity to provide clear direction.

When submitting your CV, please ensure it clearly showcases your career history and experience that align with the requirements of this role.  In addition, refer to the "Things You Need to Know" section of the job advert and include a personal statement (maximum 1,250 words) that demonstrates your experience under the key headings outlined below:

Dynamic Leadership:

• A strong track record of leading, building, and evolving high performing teams, with the flexibility and personal resilience to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances.

Effective Partnering:

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to command credibility to build effective and inspiring collaborative partnerships across stakeholders.

Systematic Strategic Thinking:

• A strong interest in the application of AI and related digital technologies in Defence, with the ability to use this to work analytically, using insights from to drive and lead ambitious continuous improvement across team boundaries.

Do you want to hear more about this role? We would love you to join us at our candidate brief and learn more from senior members of the team at our upcoming candidate brief being held on the dates below.

• 03/06/25: 17:00

To confirm your attendance, please email us at ukstratcomdd-hr-talentacqdel@mod.gov.uk with your name and email address. We will then forward you a Teams invite to be able to join on the day.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Business Analysis

Benefits

• Flexible working options- we understand the importance of adapting work to your life.
• Inclusion and diversity- our culture celebrates uniqueness and encourages collaboration of diverse thought.
• A pension scheme which secures your future.
• Generous annual leave- starting with 25 days and growing to 30 after just 5 years.
• Minimum of 15 Days Special Leave in a rolling 12-month period to volunteer for military or emergency service reserve commitments.
• Special Paid Leave for volunteering up to 6 days a year.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
• Most sites have good travel links with free car parking; many also have other facilities such as a Sports & Social Club and Gyms
• You can read more here- Civil Service Employee Benefits , Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk)
• The post does not offer relocation expenses (move of home, excess fares or temporary transfer). Non Standard move applicants will be eligible for the full package, subject to eligibility.
• 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.

Equality and Diversity 
Our people are at the heart of everything we do at Defence Digital. It’s vital that our workforce reflects the diversity of both our audience and the wider society in the UK, so we’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer and we actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds and communities. We also recognise the importance of a good work life balance, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including part-time and job shares for all our roles. Please let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process if this is something you want to explore.

Professional Framework Statement   
Defence Digital operates an organisation model in which every individual belongs to a Government Profession. The successful applicant will be posted into one of the defined Government Professions on Standard Terms of Reference for the grade. Defence Digital reserves the right to move individuals between roles, within their allocated profession, to meet the needs of the business and in support of agile resourcing.  Within Defence Digital each profession is led by a Professional Head of Community who will lead professional development and support the Continuous Professional Development path for their group.

Learning & Development 
In Defence Digital we have a strong learning and development ethos, supporting you to fulfil your potential by providing:

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• Professional and Personal Development of skills
• Access to thousands of training courses through Civil Service Learning, some free or paid by MOD
• Ability to obtain industry recognised qualifications supported by MOD

Hybrid Working

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working.  This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.  This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.  Please note that there will be regular travel throughout the UK, overseas and to other DAIC and partner locations in the UK.  This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Strategic Command is going through a significant transformation programme which aims to improve the way the Command conducts its business and delivers for Defence and the nation. As a consequence of this, all posts within Strategic Command Headquarters and in time the wider organisation, are/will be subject to review and potential changes as we continuously improve across the period of the transformation programme. These changes may be minor or could be more substantive and will generate new opportunities. Throughout, the Command’s transformation programme is committed to following the MOD’s framework on managing and supporting people through the change process and places an emphasis on early and open consultation and engagement with the Command’s personnel and Trade Unions.

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.

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.