Head of Human Centred AI

Job description

About the job

Job summary

Can you help shape how one of the UK's largest organisations adopts AI responsibly, effectively and at scale?

Do you have the vision to combine behavioural science, user insight and evaluation to influence the future of work across the Department for Transport?

If so, we'd love to hear from you!

The Head of Human Centred AI formulates and leads a high-impact programme to provide evidence and insight into how AI can be effectively and responsibly developed and deployed across DfT. They lead a team to design and implement social, behavioural and user research projects aligned to departmental priorities, collaborating with colleagues within DfT, across government and with external partners.

They play a pivotal role in the delivery of AI in DfT, applying their skills and insights to shape the portfolio of work and identify opportunities. They apply rigorous and innovative social and behavioural science methodologies to aid the development and deployment of AI.

This is not a traditional social research role, requiring proactive engagement with the application of findings, and the leadership to drive agenda forwards collaboratively in a complex stakeholder environment.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here

• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King's birthday

• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about what it's like working at Department for Transport Central - Department for Transport Careers

Job description

Our aim is for DfT to be a leading department in the use of AI. We want to expand our reach across the Department, its agencies and delivery bodies, and make better use of the full spectrum of data science techniques and advances in AI to realise the ambition set out by the Prime Minister in the AI Opportunities Action Plan, and by our Secretary of State in the Transport AI Action Plan.

AI is transforming how organisations work. DfT is investing heavily in AI capability and wants to become a leading government department in the safe, effective and responsible use of AI. This role will ensure that decisions about AI are grounded in evidence about people, behaviour and organisational change, helping maximise benefits while managing risks.

Your responsibilities will include, but aren't limited to:

• Designing and leading a behavioural science, social and user research programme to support the safe and effective adoption of AI across the department.
• Leading the Evaluation programme, on the effectiveness, impact and value of AI tools using mixed-method approaches to assess impacts on quality, time-saving and user satisfaction.
• Applying research findings and insight to shape the design and delivery of AI projects, including identifying opportunities, supporting the design and evaluation of training and communication activities, and advocating for the user perspective.
• Working closely with the AI & data science team, HR and other colleagues to inform organisational readiness for AI, aligning social and behavioural evidence with training, change management and workforce strategy.
• Developing and maintaining a knowledge base of AI-related social and behavioural research and evaluation evidence to inform ongoing decision-making.
• Acting as an ambassador for social and behavioural science and evaluation in AI across the department, government and external networks.
• Developing research collaborations within DfT, other government departments and academia.
• Building and sustaining positive relationships with senior stakeholders, demonstrating the value of user-centred and evidence-led decision-making.
• Drive standards of research quality, inclusivity and ethical practice, offering mentorship and hands-on support to ensure high performance within your team.
• Lead the Social and Behavioural Science and Evaluation for AI function in collaboration with peers across GSR and other professions to grow and embed capability and foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

For further information on the role, please read the role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

Person specification

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

• Experience identifying emerging opportunities and building new areas of work from concept through to delivery.
• Lead a team of Grade 7s and SEO to engage across technical, senior and policy teams and deliver impactful research and evaluation.
• Demonstrated execution of projects and programmes to a high standard with best practices, delivering impactful results that have influenced product and business direction, as well as mitigated risks. Capable of confidently running various types of research projects, including introducing new or unfamiliar approaches.
• Strong critical thinking and analysis skills to identify actionable insights from a wide range of data and communicate them clearly to convey key messages and drive actions.
• You are confident and able to develop excellent relationships with stakeholders across industry, academia, wider government and the department.
• Skilled at navigating complexity and combines pragmatism, professional judgement, and flexibility; adept at both quick research for immediate goals and in-depth research for long-term projects.
• Demonstrates perseverance, creativity, and proactive problem-solving abilities, including the development of new work methods and processes to facilitate change.

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements

Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.

Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 30 hours per week.

Occasional travel to other offices will be required, which may involve overnight stays.

This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.

The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location/visiting stakeholders. Your designated workplace will be your contractual place of work. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.

If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).

Visa Sponsorship

DfTc does not offer Visa Sponsorship for this role.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Working Together

Benefits

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here

• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).

• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King's birthday.

• Access to the staff discount portal.

• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.

• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.

• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.

• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

The selection process for this role will be:

Stage 1: Sift of CV and personal statement

Stage 2: Interview

You must be successful at each stage to progress to the next stage.

Stage 1: Sift

At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

Behaviours - you will be asked to provide a 250-word statement on the following Behaviours: Working Together

Experience - you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (1250 word count). Please provide evidence of your Experience of the following:

• Designing and leading a behavioural science, social and user research programme to support the safe and effective adoption of AI across the department.
• Leading the Evaluation programme, on the effectiveness, impact and value of AI tools using mixed-method approaches to assess impacts on quality, time-saving and user satisfaction.
• Applying research findings and insight to shape the design and delivery of AI projects, including identifying opportunities, supporting the design and evaluation of training and communication activities, and advocating for the user perspective.
• Working closely with the AI & data science teams, HR and other colleagues to inform organisational readiness for AI, aligning social and behavioural evidence with training, change management and workforce strategy.
• Developing and maintaining a knowledge base of AI-related social and behavioural research and evaluation evidence to inform ongoing decision-making.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead Success Profile element, Working Together. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

The sift will take place on 03rd November 2026.

Stage 2: Interview

At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

• Behaviours - Working Together, Communicating and Influencing, Seeing the Big Picture.
• Experience

You will also be required to create and deliver a presentation that assess your experience. Guidance will be provided if you are invited to interview.

The interviews will take place from the 16th November 2026.

This interview will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.

You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site.

Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change.

Further information on the selection process

We will also hold a 12-month reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for.

During your application, you should indicate which location(s) you wish to be considered for and, if successful, you will be placed on an individual list of candidates for each location. Candidates will be held on that list and drawn from it in merit order. We advise you to carefully consider which locations you wish to be considered for. If you decline an offer for a location you have expressed a preference in or have expressed an interest in more than one location and accept an offer, you will be withdrawn from any lists you may be held on. We may also offer candidates a location that they have not expressed a preference for where we have the requirement to do so but this will again be done on the basis of your place in the overall merit order and, in this event, you will not be removed from the list if you decline.

Appointments for this position will be made in order of merit. If you are successful in the selection process but there are no further available posts for the advertised role, you may be contacted to discuss an offer for a lower graded role (with similar experience and responsibility requirements).

Reasonable Adjustments

As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

Complete the "Assistance required" section in the "Additional requirements" page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you're deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Document Accessibility

This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert or the information on our website, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Further Information

For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.

Pre-employment Checking

If you are unsuccessful in the selection process, your application may be considered for a lower graded position if your demonstrated skills and experience meet the requirements of the alternative position. Candidates will be considered in order of merit.

If your application is successful but you have been dismissed from the Civil Service, your application could be removed at the pre-employment checking stage depending on the nature of the dismissal.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

All external applicants and current employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) will be required to undergo a Social Media Check. A Social Media Check is a review of your publicly available online activity, typically across platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and others. The purpose is to identify any public posts or content that could raise concerns for employers, such as:

• Hate speech or discriminatory behaviour
• Threats or acts of violence
• Illegal activity or substance misuse
• Sexually explicit material
• Extremist views or affiliations

Importantly, this check does not involve hacking into your accounts or accessing private messages. It only considers content you have chosen to make public. Employers use this kind of screening to help ensure their workplace remains safe, inclusive, and aligned with company values. It's not about judging your personality or lifestyle - it's about checking for potential red flags that might affect the role or company culture. If you have questions or concerns about the social media check, we would be happy to explain in more detail what's being looked at and how your data is handled securely and fairly.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Elliot Morgan
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: [email protected]
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here