Ofgem is Great Britain’s independent energy regulator. Our primary responsibility is to protect energy consumers, especially the most vulnerable, while at the same time working with government, industry and consumer groups to deliver a clean, more affordable and secure net-zero energy system at the lowest cost to consumers, and drive economic growth.
Britain’s energy future is at a turning point, and artificial intelligence has the power to transform it for generations to come. At Ofgem, we’re looking for a Head of AI Policy to lead this vital work, ensuring that cutting-edge technology delivers real, lasting benefits for every home and business in the country.
We’re at the forefront of change across the energy sector, driving towards Net Zero whilst protecting energy consumers, especially vulnerable people.
This is an extraordinary opportunity to shape how AI can make the energy sector smarter, safer and more sustainable, unlocking efficiencies and protections that will touch millions of lives.
You will be at the centre of one of the most exciting shifts in the energy sector, working within our Cyber Regulation and Artificial Intelligence Directorate to bring together government, industry leaders, regulators and technology experts to set the strategic direction for AI in energy.
Job description
You will ensure that AI is used responsibly, safely and in ways that protect and empower consumers while unlocking real innovation across the system. Developing frameworks that stay ahead of emerging risks and opportunities, you will create practical roadmaps that align the sector with wider government principles. Your insight and leadership will help modernise an industry that underpins daily life, delivering real efficiencies and protections for households and businesses long into the future.
We’re looking for someone with deep expertise in AI within a regulated environment and AI policy development who can turn complex ideas into clear, inspiring messages that drive action. You will have the confidence to build trust, foster collaboration and influence at every level, acting as an inclusive and supportive leader who champions diverse voices and creates a culture where bold ideas thrive.
You’ll discover the chance to make an impact and make a huge difference within the energy space. Creating lasting change, you’ll be operating at the forefront of technology, undertaking truly exciting work across AI and the energy sector, making this the perfect role for passionate, technically minded individuals who are ready to enact change.
We have a critical mission to ensure AI transforms the energy system in ways that deliver real, lasting benefits for everyone. This is your chance to help shape that future and be part of building a smarter, greener and fairer energy sector for Britain.
Key Outputs and Deliverables
- Ensure the responsible and innovative use of AI in the energy sector.
- Drive creation of policy approach for the use of AI in the energy sector to make sure it is used safely, responsibly, and sustainably.
- Create a plan of action and roadmap to address alignment of Government’s AI approach /principles (these may evolve) to the energy sector.
- Drive creation of guidance and frameworks, with appropriate consultation, to support AI objectives by realising the opportunities that AI provides, including enabling safe and trusted AI development.
- Horizon scanning on AI, but also other related technological developments, such as Quantum – providing strategic consultancy.
- Setting-up and directing high-performing teams based on effective resource management, ongoing support, and professional development.
- Set out a team forward plan, budget management, resource requirements, work objectives, milestones, and success metrics.
- Help team members deliver by building supportive, inclusive team environment based on trust-based relationships, transparency, and inclusivity; including effective scoping of work and setting of clear responsibilities.
- Take ownership for own and team members’ professional development by:
- - Providing ongoing coaching and identification of development opportunities in regular performance conversations.
- - Supporting team member’s performance evaluation through honest, fair, high quality 360-degree feedback.
- Manage effective and inclusive team resourcing and staff onboarding through close engagement with relevant Deputy Director, Workstream Managers, Heads of Professions and HR Staffers to ensure best talent match to work needs.
- Input into business planning process to ensure AI budgets are aligned with Ofgem strategic and Directorate objectives.
Essential Criteria:
- Expertise in a regulated environment, ideally within energy, as demonstrated by proven record of designing and delivering complex projects in AI (LEAD).
- Significant experience of leading the policy development process in AI, and managing the input of relevant analytical, technical, and legal experts to present policy recommendations that highlight the risks, trade-offs, and wider commercial and economic considerations to decision makers (LEAD).
- Proven aptitude for leadership in an evolving policy area, e.g., through formal or informal management of others, and experience working collaboratively with a diverse range of colleagues and contributing to a culture of inclusion and innovation.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distil complex subject matter into clear, relevant messages for diverse audiences.
- Proven ability to build effective relationships and influence stakeholders, fostering open, constructive, and transparent engagement.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Leadership
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Please refer to the Candidate Pack and Role Profile attached for full details.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £61,446, OFGEM contributes £17,800 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Ofgem can offer you a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes; 30 days annual leave after 2 years; Excellent training and development opportunities; The opportunity to join the generous Civil Service pension which also includes a valuable range of benefits; hybrid working (currently 1 day a week in the office but this is kept under review), flexible working hours and family friendly policies. Plus lots of other benefits including clean and bright offices based centrally, engaged networks and teams and an opportunity to contribute to our ambitious and important targets of establishing a Net Zero energy system by 2050. This exciting blend of professional challenge and personal reward identifies career opportunities at Ofgem as something to get excited about.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
When you press the ‘Apply now’ button, you will be asked to complete personal details (not seen by the sift panel), your career history and qualifications.
You will then be asked to provide a 1250 word ‘personal statement’ evidencing how you meet the essential and desirable skills and capabilities listed in the role profile. Please ensure you demonstrate clearly, within your supporting statement, how you meet each of the essential and desirable skills and capabilities.
The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application or used during interview, including your CV and any statements or examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Ofgem takes any incidences of cheating very seriously. Please ensure all examples provided are of your own experience. Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant applications will be withdrawn from the process. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected, you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by [https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn].
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
