Deputy Director for Data Science, Geospatial and Analytical Innovation

The Deputy Director role provide strategic leadership and direction across substantial areas of UKHSA business. The postholder will be accountable for delivering cross-cutting objectives, influencing senior stakeholders (including Ministers), and ensuring policy and operational delivery meets Government priorities. The Deputy Director operates in ambiguous and politically sensitive environments, providing authoritative advice, taking decisions with significant implications for public expenditure, policy direction, or UKHSA reputation. The Deputy Director defines the vision for analysis across a whole division. They shape analytical strategy, influence policy at ministerial level and across UKHSA, champion professional standards, and ensure the analytical workforce is capable, impactful, and aligned to government priorities.

The Data Science, Geospatial and Analytical Innovation Division brings together UKHSA's core expertise in advanced data science, geospatial, and innovative analytical methods. The division develops and operationalises cutting-edge tools, models, and analytical approaches, including generative AI, machine learning, advanced statistical methods, and modern GIS, to enhance public health decision-making, strengthen surveillance, and drive operational efficiency., o Providing strategic and functional leadership across the division and directorate.

o Setting the vision, priorities, and culture for excellence.

o Ensuring work underpins agency objectives and priorities.

o Potentially overseeing a civil service profession as UKHSA Head of Profession.

o Representing UKHSA in cross-government meetings and boards.

o Ensuring compliance with government standards for analysis and assessment (where applicable).

o Securing resources, capability, and professional development opportunities.

o Providing senior assurance and accountability for advice to senior officials.

o Providing strategic leadership for UKHSA's data science, geospatial, and analytical innovation capability, ensuring high-quality, impactful analytical products aligned to organisational priorities.

o Overseeing delivery of advanced analytical tools, methods, and services, including data science projects, geospatial systems, and innovative AI- and ML-driven approaches.

o Ensuring effective stewardship of analytical standards, tooling, and infrastructure, modernising UKHSA's analytical ecosystem and promoting best practice across the agency.

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.