AI Strategy & Portfolio Lead

Salary: £72,000

Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time

Security Level: SC

We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

The Role

Building on the CAA's response to AI-enabled automation, established in 2024 under CAP3064, this senior role will lead delivery of our strategic vision across the organisation, government and throughout the aerospace sector.

Working with senior colleagues across all departments, you will enhance our approach to both regulatory oversight and internal adoption of AI, ensuring we maintain the UK's position as a proactive, thought-leading, and influential regulator in this rapidly evolving field.

• Implement and evolve the CAA's strategic activity relating to Artificial Intelligence (AI), leading and coordinating initiatives across the whole organisation that deliver our strategic vision for both regulatory oversight and internal adoption of AI.
• Create an environment where AI technologies can be safely and effectively utilised by both the sector and the CAA, while maintaining our position as a thoughtful and innovative regulator both within the UK and internationally.
• Develop and foster effective engagement with colleagues, customers, and consumers to facilitate consistent application of our AI principles and governance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the portfolio of strategically significant AI initiatives across the organisation, carefully balancing present needs with future opportunities.
• Champion the delivery of AI oversight and governance through evidence-based recommendations to ExCo, the Board, and senior stakeholders
• Develop practical frameworks for AI, and achieve executive and board buy-in, through consultation with teams across the CAA.
• Facilitate positive change in how we work with AI across different departments.
• Foster growth in AI expertise, working with our People and Culture team to ensure that we have the right skills and competences across all our functions, while also directly supporting teams to develop their skills and knowledge.
• Identify and develop strategies to access funding to support the CAA’s development of both an internal AI portfolio and our regulatory approach to sectoral AI adoption.
• Collaboratively develop and evaluate complex AI proposals and policies for both regulatory and business applications, ensuring alignment with our safety and governance standards, and with the AI strategies.

Decision Making

• Steer teams in navigating complex and novel AI challenges where we don't have existing solutions.
• Provide expertise on AI strategy and governance to help departments evaluate, implement, and oversee AI-enabled solutions within their areas of responsibility.
• Develop balanced decisions considering regulatory and industry impacts.
• Identify and analyse how AI developments affect our work and recommend adaptations.

Influencing Others

• Advocate for the CAA's position on AI governance with international regulators, government departments, and industry bodies.
• Present and defend complex proposals at Board level and to external senior stakeholders.
• Facilitate understanding of AI principles across different situations and use cases.
• Communicate complex ideas clearly to diverse audiences.
• Create partnerships across regulatory groups and influence adoption of emerging standards and frameworks.
• Create opportunities for different perspectives to shape outcomes across the AI Portfolio.
• Foster collaborative relationships with stakeholders at all levels.

Managing Others

• Lead the AI Community of Practice across all CAA functions, coordinating multiple working groups and practice areas.
• Matrix-manage colleagues across the CAA in the AI Community of Practice where required.
• Design and oversee organisation-wide learning programs in partnership with our People and Culture team, working with capability leads across all directorates.
• Guide and support teams of skilled professionals working on AI initiatives.
• Potential direct management responsibility for specialist team members.

About You

Essential Skills

• Collaborative approach to strategic planning
• Proven ability to coordinate portfolios/programmes
• Excellent relationship building abilities
• Analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Clear written and verbal communication
• Experience facilitating organisational change
• Ability to evaluate and manage risk

Essential Experience

• Experience implementing governance frameworks
• Experience implementing policy in practice
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate positive change
• Background in stakeholder engagement at various levels
• Experience coordinating cross-functional initiatives

Essential Qualifications

• Degree level education or equivalent experience
• Professional qualification in portfolio/programme management (e.g. MSP, MoP) or equivalent experience.

Desirable Skills

• Understanding of AI technologies such as machine learning
• Knowledge of aviation regulation
• Experience with collaborative delivery methods

Desirable Experience

• Background in aviation or other regulated industries
• Success in delivering technology or transformation programmes
• Background working with government departments

Desirable Qualifications

• Relevant post-graduate qualification
• AI/ML certifications or training

Additional Information

For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance.

To be vetted we will usually expect a reasonable period of residency in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken. For this role this will need to be 5 years.

For more information on SC clearance please visit - Vetting explained - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest.

Inclusive Recruitment

We are passionate about diversity and ensuring all are included at the CAA. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone.

As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know.

Working With Us

We are on a journey towards being increasingly adaptable, where our colleagues collaborate as part of cross-functional teams. This approach ensures we never stop learning together. It also means that you may become involved in activities that take you out of your day-to-day role, providing you with opportunities to develop and grow your career with us.

We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance.

We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and much more!

Our Values

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone – For more information please Click Here

Closing Date: Friday 10th January 2025

Interview Date: W/C Monday 20th January 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

No recruitment agencies please.