Head of Data, Analytics and AI Automation

Overview

Are you ready to lead the transformation of data, analytics, and AI in a forward-thinking organisation? We are seeking a visionary Head of Data, Analytics & AI Automation to drive our Data Strategy, champion a data-driven culture, and lead innovative AI and automation initiatives. This is a unique opportunity to shape how data is collected, managed, and activated, ensuring ethical, scalable, and secure use of advanced analytics and machine learning across our council.

Salary up to £96,000 per annum dependant on experience.

About us

At Buckinghamshire Council, you’ll be part of something bigger. As a large and forward-thinking unitary authority, we’re on a mission to make Buckinghamshire the best place to live, raise a family, work, and do business. This is your chance to help shape the future of our county—supporting residents, driving innovation, and making a real difference every day.

The IT Department is essential in providing dependable Digital and IT services to both employees and residents. This position reports directly to the Service Director of IT. As a service, we prioritise innovation, collaboration, and ongoing improvement, and are committed to fostering a workplace environment where all individuals are empowered to succeed.

Why join us?

We’re committed to flexible, modern ways of working that promote a healthy work-life balance. From the moment you join us, we’ll invest in your development and wellbeing—helping you to be your best, every step of the way.

In addition to a rewarding role and the chance to make a tangible impact, we offer:

• Generous annual leave and flexible working arrangements
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
• A strong focus on personal and professional development
• Exclusive discounts on a wide range of services, shops, and restaurants

Join us and be part of a team that’s shaping a better Buckinghamshire—for today and for generations to come.

About the role

As Head of Data, Analytics & AI Automation, you will:

• Define and deliver the council’s Data Strategy, fostering a data-driven culture and improving data maturity.
• Define data quality and security to improve the foundation of our data
• Develop the architecture and future of our data platform strategy consuming data across our complex landscape into a single view
• Oversee data infrastructure, ensuring scalability, reliability, and accessibility.
• Develop analytics and reporting solutions, including dashboards, BI tools, and KPI governance.
• Lead AI transformation, supporting model development, deployment, and monitoring, with a focus on responsible and ethical AI.
• Drive automation initiatives using Microsoft and Power Platform tools.
• Deliver corporate reporting products and represent the function at strategic forums.
• Provide senior leadership, deputising for the Service Director and leading policy, systems, contracts, and governance frameworks.
• Manage risk and compliance, including external inspections and health & safety.
• Engage stakeholders, advise senior leaders, and manage feedback and complaints.
• Champion continuous improvement, challenge traditional thinking, and sponsor major projects.
• Develop and support your team, managing recruitment, performance, and HR processes.
• Lead a team of data engineers and data scientists
• Plan and manage budgets up to £2 million, securing external funding and delivering savings.

For further information on this role please see the attached job summary.

About you

We’re looking for a candidate with:

• Leadership skills to coach, mentor, and develop a high-performing team.
• Knowledge of service area requirements, systems, policy, and legislation.
• A proven track record of driving large scale analytics adoption in a complex organisation
• Deep expertise in change management and building data-led cultures at scale
• Strong understanding of modern analytics platforms and tools, with hands-on experience in SQL, Python and BI tools
• Experience creating and delivering technical training for a wide range of audiences from executives to analysts
• Success in building and running centres of excellence that sustain capability improvement
• A clear track record of measuring business outcomes and value delivered from enablement initiatives
• Excellent influencing skills and the ability to drive behavioural change without direct authority
• Experience managing diverse teams including employees, contractors and partners to deliver at scale
• Commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and professional development.
• Significant experience managing complex data, analytics, or AI services
• Previous experience formulating data strategies which encompass governance, quality and data platforms
• Technical expertise in data engineering, analytics, or data science, with knowledge of modern data stacks (SQL, dbt, Airflow, Snowflake, Looker/Power BI) and AI/ML tooling (Python, MLflow, MLOps).
• Strategic thinking and the ability to influence stakeholders and lead cross-functional teams.
• Project management experience, including major projects and service transformation.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, able to engage at all levels.
• Hands on experience with Microsoft Power BI
• Experience implementing Microsoft Fabric and Microsoft Purview

Ready to make a difference? Apply now and help us shape the future of data, analytics, and AI in local government!

Other information

Any-Desk: As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of days a week.

Interview date: Week commencing 24th November

Interview-type / process: In person

If you would like to have an informal conversation with the recruiting manager, please contact: IT Service Director – Tanay Taank 01296 674819

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Resources cover a wide range of specialisms, including Human Resources, Finance, ICT and Business Operations. Our main focus is supporting the other directorates to provide the best possible service to our residents. To do that, we have to make sure we have the right people in the right roles across the organisation. From our finance teams, working strategically to ensure the best value from public money; to HR keeping our employees healthy and happy, each service is vital in making sure Buckinghamshire Council has what it needs to run effectively and efficiently.

As well as providing high quality services to other areas of the Council, you could also be helping us build on the revenue which comes from our external clients. If you are ambitious, customer-focussed and bursting with new ideas, we want to hear from you.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/