Job Description
Why this role matters
You'll sit at the centre of the Department for Transport, shaping how evidence and emerging technology are used to improve decisions that affect millions of journeys. This is a high-profile leadership role with real influence across the Department, our arm's length bodies and the wider transport sector balancing pace and innovation with proportionate governance and assurance.
We are seeking an innovative Deputy Director to lead the Advanced Analytics Division within the Department for Transport's central Analysis Directorate.
The Division sits at the heart of the Department, partnering with teams across DfT and working closely with our arm's length bodies. The team is currently based in London, Leeds and Hastings.
The Advanced Analytics Division is a high-performing, multi-disciplinary team bringing together Analytical professions, Government Science and Engineering and programme delivery. We combine deep technical expertise with strong stakeholder engagement to turn complex questions into practical, decision-ready insight and delivery.
In particular, we:
- Lead the Department's AI and Digital Twin programmes high-profile, internal and externally facing portfolios that shape how the department and the sector uses these emerging technologies
- Apply advanced analytics to strengthen evidence-based decision making improving quality, speed and value for money across DfT
- Set standards for model governance and quality assurance ensuring analytical and AI products are trusted, robust and used appropriately.
Our work ranges from rapid, agile delivery (developing and deploying models and AI tools) to building the governance, training and assurance needed to scale new approaches safely. We focus on using the right method for the question and delivering tangible impact.
The team partners with policy and operational areas to define problems clearly, shape strong questions and translate needs into well-scoped analytical or technology requirements.
We provide visible leadership across the Department and the wider sector in our areas of specialism including AI and advanced data science, model development, and work to inform Digital Twin policy and procurement. Most projects combine several of these strands, and you will ensure work is prioritised, delivered to high standards and communicated in a way that supports confident decisions.
Alongside leading through others, you will retain enough technical depth to be an effective sponsor and critical friend providing informed challenge, assuring quality, and, where appropriate, contributing directly to priority work. You will speak confidently on a range of technical subjects and translate complexity into clear, decision-focused advice for senior leaders and ministers.
You will also work with analytical teams across DfT to continuously improve how we do analysis spotting where new or under-used techniques can increase quality, pace and value for money.
What you'll get
- A high-profile leadership role with exposure to senior leaders and ministers, shaping key decisions across transport.
- The chance to lead nationally significant programmes (AI and Digital Twins) and influence how these emerging technologies are used across the sector.
- A multi-disciplinary team of experts and the opportunity to build capability, culture and ways of working that deliver real impact.
- Strong professional networks across the analytical professions, Government Science and Engineering and the wider data community alongside the opportunity to build strategic relationships with academia, SMEs and big tech.
- Support for your development through stretching work, coaching and access to learning across the Civil Service.
- Flexible working options and hybrid working (60% office-based), with a choice of locations and regular travel to London.
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