Senior Strategist - Data Strategy Lead/AI Strategist (Public Sector

Senior Strategist - Data Strategy Lead/AI Strategist/Chief AI Advisor

Public Sector | 6 month Contract | £800-900/day (Inside IR35)

Hybrid - Frequent Travel to London Required

Must be Eligible for SC Clearance

Application Deadline: 12pm, 4th February

Overview

We are seeking an exceptional Senior Strategist to lead a major public sector organisation's data and AI strategy. This is a high impact advisory role requiring a blend of strategic vision, practical delivery expertise, and the ability to drive complex data enabled change across a large, multi stakeholder environment. If you have shaped, not just written, data or AI strategies, and you can guide organisations from vision through to real world implementation, we want to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive data and AI strategy across the organisation
• Drive strategic alignment between data, AI, technology and operational priorities
• Provide expert advisory input at executive level on opportunities and risks related to AI and emerging technologies
• Identify and address policy level bottlenecks that hinder effective data sharing
• Work closely with delivery and technical teams to ensure decisions are grounded in delivery realities
• Support enablement across the organisation, including capability building, governance and adoption
• Engage internal and external stakeholders to accelerate data maturity and delivery outcomes

Essential Experience Skills

• Proven experience leading and delivering data or AI strategies within the public sector
• Demonstrable experience driving strategy execution, not just producing strategic documents
• Strong understanding of data ecosystems, governance and organisational enablement
• Knowledge of the evolving AI landscape and responsible AI use
• Ability to identify and resolve barriers to data sharing at policy and governance levels
• Technical awareness and understanding of modern delivery practices (agile, product, data platforms etc.)
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, including influencing at C suite level
• Eligibility for SC clearance

Please submit your CV by 12pm on Tuesday 4th February.

- SmartSourcing are a Disability Confident Employer and we promote, celebrate and value diversity, we are committed to promoting equality and inclusion for all.