Strategy Officer; HEO

Applications for this role close Sunday 6th September 2026 at 23:55 UK Time
About the Incubator for AI (i.AI)

The Incubator for AI (i.AI) is the government’s applied AI team, based within the Government Digital Service (GDS). We bring together specialists from strategy, policy, operations, delivery, design, user research and technical disciplines to develop and scale AI products that improve how government works and how public services are experienced by millions of people.

i.AI works on some of the most important and fast-moving challenges in government today: applying AI in practical, responsible ways to solve real problems facing the UK.

Joining i.AI means being part of a mission-driven team at the forefront of applied AI in government — helping shape, build and deploy products that can make a tangible difference across departments and, most importantly, for citizens.

This is a varied and fast-paced role at the centre of i.AI, supporting the Strategy Team across a broad mix of priorities. The role is likely to include cross-Whitehall engagement, support to governance functions across major public sector AI projects, and briefing and narrative support across the team’s portfolio of products and programmes.

You will join the Strategy Team, which sits at the heart of the Incubator. The team plays a key role in shaping the story of i.AI, building support for its work, and helping drive delivery across a complex and ambitious portfolio.

The role will also involve working closely with the Deputy Director of Strategy to help manage priorities, coordinate key engagements and ensure their time is used to maximum effect. This is a chance to gain real exposure to senior decision-making and to play an important role in helping the Strategy Team operate effectively in a high-profile and fast-moving environment.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys variety, is highly organised, and wants to work at the intersection of strategy, delivery and emerging technology in one of the most dynamic areas of government.

• Build and maintain strong working relationships across i.AI and wider government, including with private offices, communications teams and other departments.
• Provide high-quality support across core team processes, including briefings, correspondence, lines, FOIs and other strategic or corporate tasks, ensuring work is delivered to a high standard and often at pace.
• Support the governance and coordination functions that underpin i.AI’s major projects and products.
• Work closely with the Deputy Director of Strategy to coordinate priorities, manage key engagements and help ensure their time is focused on the highest-value activity.
• Help the Strategy Team stay organised and connected by tracking actions, coordinating meetings and maintaining momentum across a busy and evolving portfolio.
• Contribute to the team’s work in telling the story of i.AI, supporting engagement, narrative development and the organisation of key interactions with senior stakeholders.

Essential skills:

• Highly organised, with the ability to prioritise a changing and sometimes conflicting workload against tight deadlines, including supporting senior colleagues to manage competing demands including on their workload and time.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships across a wide range of stakeholders.
• Clear written and verbal communication, with strong attention to detail and a track record of producing high-quality work at pace.
• Ability to use initiative and exercise sound judgement in a fast-moving environment.

Experience of any of the following would be beneficial but not essential:

• An interest in applied AI and its use in the public sector.
• Experience of using AI tools in day-to-day workflows.

This is an opportunity to work in a team helping shape how AI is applied across government in ways that are practical, responsible and impactful.

You will be part of a multidisciplinary team working on real products and real problems, with the chance to contribute to work that improves public services and supports better outcomes for people…