About us
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has a clear mission - to grow the economy. Our role is to help businesses invest, grow and export to create jobs and opportunities right across the country. We do this in three ways.
Firstly, we help to build a strong, competitive business environment, where consumers are protected and companies rewarded for treating their employees properly.
Secondly, we open international markets and ensure resilient supply chains. This can be through Free Trade Agreements, trade facilitation and multilateral agreements.
Finally, we work in partnership with businesses every day, providing advance, finance and deal-making support to those looking to start up, invest, export and grow.
The Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) directorate develops and operates tools and services to support us in this mission. The team have been nominated three times in a row for ‘Best Public Sector Employer’ at the Women in Tech awards!
About the role
In this role, you will lead a team of data governance managers and data ethicists to develop and support the delivery of the Data Governance Framework to enhance the quality, transparency, value, and usability of the data we hold at the Department for Business and Trade. You will provide data management and governance expert advice and guidance across a number of portfolios, ensuring alignment with the overall data governance framework and regulatory requirements.
The scope of your responsibilities will include working with our AI teams, senior stakeholders, data protection and other DBT teams to design, implement, and evaluate governance processes around Artificial Intelligence methods and products. Your team will also assess the compliance of these methods and products with our internal policies, ethics guidelines, and AI laws.
Additionally, you will engage with stakeholders to help foster an environment that promotes a culture of data sharing, protection, and discovery through the improvement of data literacy. Your responsibilities will include supporting the implementation of the data governance framework and actively collaborating with data users across DBT.
You’ll also work with colleagues in technology and digital teams to explore how modern tools and platforms can support the department’s vision for data and information. This is a collaborative role at the heart of a growing and highly innovative service, with the chance to shape how data and cutting-edge AI tools are governed and used across a large and data-rich government department.
Main responsibilities

You will:

• Develop, lead and support the implementation of the data and AI governance framework, including policies, standards, and performance monitoring
• Facilitate and contribute to data and AI governance forums and committees, acting as secretariat where required
• Develop and maintain data quality controls, including data dictionaries, models, categorisations, and definitions
• Provide guidance and support for data and AI governance practices across DBT, ensuring alignment and adoption
• Maintain risk and issue logs related to data governance activities
• Document and manage data flows and models to support transparency and compliance
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders across DDaT and DBT to foster collaboration and trust
• Translate business needs into data solutions in partnership with technology teams, supporting service design and delivery
• Provide data insights and analysis to help Data Owners identify risks and opportunities
• Advise senior leadership and stakeholders, presenting updates and supporting resolution of strategic data issues
• Stay informed on emerging trends in data and AI governance and lead initiatives to improve data accuracy, timeliness, and consistency

Skills and experience

It is essential that you have:

• Experience of defining, developing, implementing and measuring effective Data Standards and Governance policies, processes and identifying opportunities for improvement across the data life cycle for a medium to large scale organisation
• Strong understanding of data governance frameworks, policies, and standards
• Proven experience of working effectively with stakeholders in specialist and technical roles, including Data Engineering, Data Modelling and Data Architecture
• Solid understanding of technical aspects of data management, including data quality, metadata management, and data modelling
• Proven experience of working collaboratively across an organisation to secure buy-in and create solutions that work for all stakeholders
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration with cross-functional teams. Proven experience in managing stakeholders and presenting updates to senior management
• Experience in coaching and mentoring junior colleagues and staff on all aspects of data

It is desirable that you have:

• Good understanding of governance and ethical issues surrounding implementation of machine learning and AI models including GenAI

How to apply
As part of the application process you will be asked to upload a two page CV and complete a 750 word (maximum) personal statement outlining how you meet the essential skills and experience listed above. You can use bullet points and subheadings if you prefer.
Sift will be from week commencing 21st July
Interviews will be from week commencing 28th July
Please note these dates are indicative and may be subject to change.
If there is a high volume of applications, we will sift looking at the evidence you have provided for the lead essential criteria – experience of Data Standards and Governance policies - only. You may then be progressed to full sift or straight to interview.
How we interview
At the interview stage for this role, you will be asked to demonstrate relevant Technical Skills and Behaviours from the Success Profiles framework. These are role specific and in line with the DDaT Capability Framework.

Technical Skills

• Data governance
• Data ethics and privacy
• Data standards
• Communicating between the technical and non-technical

Behaviours

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions

At interview you will be asked to participate in a practical exercise based on a data and AI governance case scenario. Candidates invited to interview will be sent further information.
How we offer
Offers will be made in merit order based on location preferences. If you pass the bar at interview but are not the highest scoring you will be held on a 12-month reserve list in case a role becomes available. If you are judged a near miss at interview, you may be offered a post at the grade below the one you applied for.
This role requires SC clearance. DBT’s requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years. Failure to meet this requirement will result in your application being rejected and your offer will be withdrawn.

Checks will also be made against:

• departmental or company records (personnel files, staff reports, sick leave reports and security records)
• UK criminal records covering both spent and unspent criminal records
• your credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
• security services record
• location details

Benefits

If you join us, you will get:

• learning and development tailored to your role
• a flexible, hybrid working environment with options like condensed hours
• a culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• a Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
• annual leave starting at 25 days rising to 30 days with service
• three paid volunteering days a year
• an employee benefits programme including cycle to work

More about us
This role can only be worked from within the UK, not overseas. If you are based in London, you will receive London weighting. DBT employees are contracted to work in a hybrid pattern, spending 2-3 days a week (pro rata) in the office. Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DBT, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.
You can find out more about our office locations, how we calculate salaries, our diversity statement and reasonable adjustments, the Recruitment Principles, the Civil Service code and our complaints procedure on our website.
Find out more about life at DBT, our benefits and meet the team by watching our video or reading our blog!

Please refer the Job description for details