Strategic Delivery Lead, International Public Sector

Strategic Delivery Lead, International Public Sector

Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
OpenAI

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead impactful AI deployments for public sector institutions globally.
  • Company: Join OpenAI's mission-driven team transforming government services with AI.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and a chance to shape the future of public service.
  • Other info: High-trust role with excellent career growth and the chance to work internationally.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in how governments serve communities using cutting-edge AI technology.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in public sector consulting or delivery leadership; strong technical fluency required.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

About the team

The OpenAI for Government team is a dynamic, mission‑driven group leveraging frontier AI to transform how public institutions achieve their missions. Our team works to empower public servants with secure, compliant AI tools and mission‑aligned deployments that meet government technical, policy, security, and sovereignty requirements with strong reliability and safety. As part of the OpenAI for Government team, you will work with public sector institutions globally outside the United States to accelerate responsible adoption of frontier AI. If you are passionate about helping governments serve their communities more effectively, we want you on our team.

About the Role

The Strategic Delivery Lead (SDL) for International Public Sector will lead some of OpenAI’s most complex and high‑impact deployments with public sector customers outside the United States. You will work with senior government, multilateral, and partner stakeholders to turn hard institutional and mission problems into practical deployments on the OpenAI Platform API and ChatGPT Enterprise. The role is highly cross‑functional and customer‑facing: you will partner with Research, Engineering, Go‑to‑Market, Global Affairs, Legal, Security, and external stakeholders to align scope, unblock delivery, and communicate progress at every level, from technical teams to C‑suite.

You will own and drive delivery workstreams led by specialist internal technical and engineering teams, ensuring clear problem‑framing, milestones, risk management, issue resolution, and translation between public‑sector objectives and technical solutions. As a trusted generalist with strong technical fluency, you will move between strategy, technical scoping and discovery, delivery planning, adoption, governance, relationship management, and issue resolution without supervision. This is a high‑trust, high‑autonomy role. Accountability for contractual milestones and acceptance criteria sits with you. Success requires excellent judgement, adaptable programme leadership and management, executive presence, and the ability to turn broad leadership guidance into practical action while escalating when needed.

In this role, you will:

  • Forge partnerships with public sector leaders and AI users globally, in line with strategic priorities, to deliver the most impactful AI and AGI use cases.
  • Serve as the accountable lead for international public sector engagements tied to clear outcomes, customer milestones, adoption metrics, and commercial commitments.
  • Translate between technical teams and business, policy, security, and operational stakeholders, clearly communicating progress, risks, requirements, and dependencies.
  • Work with government departments, strategic partners, multilateral institutions, operational delivery partners, and policy/security stakeholders to translate responsible AI use cases into actionable delivery plans.
  • Partner with technical teams to scope projects, guide technical direction, anticipate blockers, and align teams.
  • Operate as a generalist across opportunity development, pilot shaping, delivery governance, adoption, and risk management as the team scales.
  • Exercise judgement and initiative under ambiguity, staying aligned with leadership priorities without day‑to‑day direction.
  • Establish best practices around milestone tracking, internal coordination, customer governance, and delivery operations at scale.
  • Lead regular progress reviews with international public sector stakeholders, ensuring transparency and confidence in delivery.
  • Identify delivery, policy, security, procurement, data, and stakeholder risks early and work cross‑functionally to mitigate blockers and maintain programme velocity.
  • Navigate ambiguity and evolving requirements with composure, helping internal and external teams stay aligned.
  • Help shape the future of how OpenAI engages with international public sector customers through reusable delivery practices, responsible deployment patterns, and milestone‑based programmes.

You might thrive in this role if you:

  • Have 10+ years in public sector consulting, delivery leadership, transformation, enterprise technology, or senior programme management.
  • Are based in the UK or EU, or otherwise able to support public sector customers globally outside the United States, and are willing to travel up to 50% to work on‑site with customers and partners.
  • For UK‑based candidates, hold or be eligible for UK SC/DV or comparable clearance; EU‑based candidates should have regulated public sector experience.
  • Have experience leading organisational transformation initiatives (AI, digital, technology, or business transformation) directly with government, public sector, or highly regulated institutions.
  • Have led complex programmes in enterprise SaaS, AI/ML, consulting, systems integration, gov tech, or transformation environments.
  • Have a proven track record influencing and shaping customer decision‑making at executive, policy, operational, and technical levels, and the ability to drive clarity, accountability, and alignment across senior stakeholders.
  • Are adept at translating public sector mission outcomes into technical execution plans with defined success metrics.
  • Demonstrate judgement and initiative in ambiguous environments, taking advantage of opportunities in line with leadership guidance without requiring constant oversight.
  • Have a strong track record of execution in delivering ambitious goals on complex cross‑functional projects.
  • Have prior experience managing large‑scale AI/ML, data, platform, or enterprise API‑based deployments.
  • Are passionate about how AI and AGI can enhance public sector institutions and improve public‑service outcomes responsibly.
  • Get energy from building partnerships across a varied group of people and organisations, from researchers and engineers to policy leaders, procurement teams, delivery partners, and senior government officials.
  • See yourself as a bridge between frontier AI research and real‑world public‑sector impact, and are motivated by enabling that connection.
  • Care about public mission impact and want to help public sector customers globally use AI responsibly and effectively.

OpenAI is an equal‑opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristic.

Strategic Delivery Lead, International Public Sector employer: OpenAI

OpenAI is an exceptional employer for those passionate about leveraging AI to enhance public sector effectiveness. With a strong commitment to employee growth, a collaborative work culture, and the opportunity to engage with global public institutions, you will find meaningful work that drives real-world impact. The role of Strategic Delivery Lead offers high autonomy and the chance to shape the future of AI in government, all while being part of a mission-driven team dedicated to responsible innovation.

OpenAI

Contact Details:

OpenAI Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Strategic Delivery Lead, International Public Sector

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the public sector and AI space. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might help you land that dream role!

Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews by researching the company and its mission. Understand how your skills can directly impact their goals, especially in transforming public institutions with AI. Tailor your responses to show you’re not just a fit for the role, but also passionate about their mission.

Tip Number 3

Showcase your adaptability! In a role like Strategic Delivery Lead, being able to navigate ambiguity is key. Share examples from your past where you’ve successfully managed complex projects or turned challenges into opportunities. This will demonstrate your readiness for the high-autonomy environment.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and contributing to the impactful work we do in the public sector.

We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Delivery Lead, International Public Sector

Public Sector Consulting
Delivery Leadership
Transformation Initiatives
Enterprise Technology
Programme Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Technical Scoping

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in public sector consulting and delivery leadership. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Strategic Delivery Lead, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects!

Showcase Your Impact:When detailing your past roles, focus on the outcomes you achieved. Use metrics and specific examples to illustrate how you’ve influenced decision-making and driven successful AI or technology transformations in the public sector.

Be Clear and Concise:We appreciate clarity! Ensure your application is well-structured and easy to read. Avoid jargon unless it’s necessary, and make sure your key points stand out. This will help us quickly grasp your qualifications and fit for the role.

Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised!

How to prepare for a job interview at OpenAI

Know Your Audience

Before the interview, research the public sector institutions you'll be working with. Understand their missions, challenges, and how AI can help them. This will allow you to tailor your responses and demonstrate your genuine interest in making a positive impact.

Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills

Highlight your experience in collaborating with diverse teams, from technical experts to policy makers. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully navigated complex projects and built partnerships across different stakeholders.

Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that assess your judgement and initiative in ambiguous situations. Prepare scenarios where you've had to make tough decisions or adapt plans on the fly, especially in high-stakes environments. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.

Demonstrate Your Passion for AI in the Public Sector

Articulate why you're passionate about using AI to enhance public service outcomes. Share your thoughts on responsible AI deployment and how it can transform public institutions. This will show your alignment with the team's mission and values.