Job Vacancy Deputy Director, Central Data Science and AI - Office for National Statistics - SCS1

CDS-AI is looking for a new Deputy Director to help lead the next phase of data science capacity building throughout ONS and across government. CDS-AI and SIA is a friendly, diverse and collaborative environment, and this leadership role oversees established applied data science  and programme teams situated across our four UK hubs.  

You will be passionate about using state of the art data science methods and a myriad of data sources available for public good. This post will give you the opportunity to improve the quality of ONS’s statistical production and inform vital public policy responses to   cross-cutting and topical issues in the UK and internationally, working across multiple domains. You will be responsible for over 80 CDS-AI staff – data scientists, developers, project delivery, and programme managers who deliver data science projects and programmes. Our remit stretches beyond improving official statistics and supports better decision making in the UK and internationally.  

In this role you will be responsible for a broad programme of multidisciplinary data science projects and programmes, and for managing resources to ensure effective delivery. Our programmes seek to apply of data science and AI within the domestic and international public sector, providing faster and more meaningful analysis, enabling more effective decision making, and delivering significant impact on a national and international scale. Above all else, these projects are undertaken with integrity and trustworthiness, and underpinned by adherence to a rigorous ethical framework.  

You will also lead the Data Science International team that develops and delivers a range of programmes to support the use of data science and AI in a range of countries and also international organisations such as the United Nations and also the Statistical Insights and Analysis Hub which delivers analysis to support ONS’s priorities, and works with the Joint Data Analysis Centre (JDAC) to leverage ONS knowledge and experience to provide deeper insight about the economy and population to support Cabinet Office priorities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Be a proactive member of the Senior Leadership Team that leads the CDS-AI and Strategic Innovation and Analysis Directorate; 

• Provide inclusive leadership to a multi-disciplinary data-science division, with four Grade 6s reporting into you, leading them in identifying areas in which to do impactful applied data science and AI work, and ensuring delivery of that work, with robust quality assurance and rigorous adherence to ethical standards; 

• Lead your division in developing strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills to enable your division to prioritise resources against the most important and potentially impactful needs; 

• Focusing the work of your team on improving the quality of our statistics production by building modern statistical pipelines, making use of cloud technology as part of delivering on the plan for ONS economic statistics and the ONS Survey Improvement and Enhancement Plan for Economic Statistics both of which were published in 2025. This will also include examining and developing AI based apps to safely integrate into statistical production workflows to improve quality and deliver efficiencies; 

• Leading on ONS’s relationship with Cabinet Office in terms of the Joint Data and Analysis Centre (JDAC) where “Joint” is joint between ONS and Cabinet Office, leading the Analytical Hub which works closely with Cabinet Office data scientists and analysts on key Cabinet Office issues; 

• Lead the CDS-AI work with the international community, working with colleagues in the ONS’s International Relation and International Development Teams and with colleagues in FCDO to develop and deliver a coherent portfolio of international work; 

• Ensure proper project management and budgetary responsibility;  

• Play a visible leadership role in the wider public sector data science community, working closely with the Government Analysis  and Government Digital and Data Functions as needed;

• Be a proactive member of the Senior Civil Service, working closely with colleagues in ONS and across Government.

For more information, please refer to candidate pack attached.