AI and Data Lead

Overview

Great British Energy – Nuclear is an arm’s length body of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, dedicated to supporting the development and deployment of new nuclear technologies in Great Britain. We play a crucial role in advancing nuclear new build, ensuring the UK’s energy security and achieving net-zero carbon emissions. Great British Energy – Nuclear focuses on fostering innovation, facilitating investment, and coordinating efforts across the nuclear industry to build a resilient and sustainable energy future.

Great British Energy – Nuclear’s first step was to start the technology selection process for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in 2023. SMRs can potentially be quicker to deploy and less expensive to build than traditional nuclear power plants because they are smaller, have factory-based modular manufacturing and more flexible deployment options. In June 2025, Great British Energy – Nuclear announced that Rolls-Royce SMR had been selected as the preferred bidder to build the UK’s first SMRs, following a technology selection process that began in 2023.

Great British Energy – Nuclear is aiming to deliver fast, based on a supportive and collaborative culture which values equality and diversity and creates an inclusive workplace. We draw on deep nuclear expertise – our Executive Committee has over 100 years of nuclear experience at home and abroad. GBN-E will unlock billions of pounds of private and public investment from design to operation, helping to get sites ready for development, and working to grow manufacturing capacity and skills capability.

Our activities will be driven by our values, which are:

• Trust – We prioritise safety, we act responsibly and with integrity.
• Collaboration – We work as a team; we value diversity and expertise.
• Challenge – We are curious and courageous in the way we think and act.
• Care – We are thoughtful, inclusive and respectful of others.
• Drive – We get things done and we make a difference.

If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format or would like us to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at recruitment@greatbritishnuclear.uk and we will talk to you about how we can assist.

Job Profile

To support the Information Management Lead in shaping and delivering the organisation’s data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy. The Data and AI Lead will be responsible for establishing a robust data governance framework, enabling data-driven decision-making, and identifying opportunities to leverage AI and advanced analytics across the organisation. This role will play a critical part in ensuring data integrity, accessibility, and innovation, while aligning with regulatory and ethical standards.

The role holder will lead a small team of data professionals and collaborate closely with digital, engineering, and programme delivery teams to embed data science and AI capabilities into core business processes. They will also act as a subject matter expert on data exploitation, advising senior stakeholders and contributing to both the GBE-N and our project partners digital transformation agenda. GBE-N will maximise the use of AI and novel technologies to enhance our project delivery, aiming to reduce costs and improve efficiency in line with the Government AI playbook. Experience in managing and exploiting asset and engineering data to support project decision making is beneficial but we will consider strong data skills from other complex problem spaces.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the development and implementation of the enterprise data and AI strategy under the direction of the Information Management Lead
• Leading the design and implementation of data governance, quality, and lifecycle management practices
• Identifying and delivering AI and machine learning use cases that drive operational efficiency, safety, and innovation
• Collaborating with technical and business teams to ensure data is accessible, secure, and fit for purpose
• Establishing data architecture standards and ensuring alignment with enterprise IT and digital strategies
• Overseeing the development of data pipelines, models, and human interfaces to support real-time and predictive analytics
• Ensuring compliance with data protection regulations and ethical AI principles
• Building internal capability through training, tools, and best practice guidance on data and AI
• Representing the organisation in cross-government and industry data and AI forums
• Monitoring emerging technologies and trends to inform strategic planning and innovation

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required

• A degree or equivalent qualification in data science, computer science, engineering, or a related field
• Demonstrable experience in leading data science and AI initiatives within complex, regulated environments
• Strong understanding of data governance frameworks, data architecture, and AI/ML lifecycle management
• Experience with cloud platforms (e.g. Azure, AWS), data engineering tools (e.g. Databricks, Snowflake, Foundry), and analytics platforms (e.g. Power BI, Tableau)
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and standards, including GDPR, ISO 27001, and ethical AI guidelines
• Proven ability to translate business needs into data and AI solutions with measurable impact
• Strong communication, stakeholder engagement, and influencing skills
• Experience in managing multidisciplinary teams and delivering through matrix structures
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment with a focus on outcomes and continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline
• Professional certification in data management, AI/ML, or cloud architecture (e.g. CDMP, Azure AI Engineer, AWS Certified Data Analytics) is highly desirable
• Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. BCS, IEEE, DAMA, IET) is preferred