AI Strategy Lead

Location(s): UK, Europe & Africa : UK : London 

BAE Systems Digital Intelligence is home to 4,500 digital, cyber and intelligence experts. We work collaboratively across 10 countries to collect, connect and understand complex data, so that governments, nation states, armed forces and commercial businesses can unlock digital advantage in the most demanding environments.

Job Title: AI Strategy Lead
Requisition ID: 121514
Location: London -  We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role. 

Grade: GG12 
Referral Bonus: £5,000

Job Description

Are you passionate about shaping the future of AI in the defence and national security sectors? Are you ready to lead transformative AI strategies, working with clients, partners, and internal teams to develop innovative solutions that deliver real-world impact? Join BAE Systems Digital Intelligence as an experienced AI Strategy Lead and drive the evolution of AI capabilities in the secure government domain.

As an AI Strategy Lead, you will play a pivotal role in developing and delivering the secure government account’s AI strategy while working closely with sensitive HMG customers in London and other key stakeholders. You will spearhead AI campaigns to enhance the organisation’s AI presence, capability, and offerings. Collaborating across internal teams, external partners, and government clients, you will define and implement strategies to create and exploit the organisation’s AI Unique Selling Point (USP) in the secure government domain.

You will work with secure HMG departments to understand their business needs, identify where AI/ML can deliver value, and test innovative approaches to achieve their goals. Your responsibilities will include developing AI roadmaps, building business cases for AI investment, and driving efforts to strengthen the organisation’s internal AI capability. You will also lead competitive bids, pitch ground-breaking AI solutions to government stakeholders, and work with technology partners to integrate emerging capabilities into solutions.

Internally, you will drive transformation efforts, fostering a culture of innovation and enabling the adoption of cutting-edge AI technologies. While being focussed on the secure government domain, you will collaborate with other internal stakeholders to align to, draw from, and contribute to, the wider company AI strategy and initiatives. Externally, you will help shape the market by establishing thought leadership, representing the organisation at events, and engaging stakeholders to position the business as a trusted partner in AI for national security. This is a pivotal role that combines strategy, leadership, and technical expertise to deliver real-world impact.

About You

You will have experience in many of the following:

• Developing and delivering AI strategies and campaigns that drive measurable impact.
• Delivering and using AI in the real world.
• Engaging with senior stakeholders, including government clients, to align AI objectives with mission-critical priorities.
• Designing and implementing sales strategies for AI value propositions to develop new business and win bids.
• Building business cases for AI investment, supported by robust data and analysis.
• Driving internal transformation initiatives to enhance AI capabilities, upskill teams, and foster a culture of innovation.
• Designing strategic roadmaps for AI adoption, with a focus on creating and exploiting an AI USP.
• Understanding and addressing the ethical, privacy, compliance and security considerations of AI adoption in secure environments.

Security Clearance is required for this role. If you are not currently Security Cleared, you will need to be eligible and willing to go through the process.

How We Will Support You

We value work-life balance and provide flexible working options, including:

• 25 days of annual leave with options to buy/sell and carry over.
• A comprehensive benefits package, including private medical and dental insurance, a competitive pension scheme, and more.
• Dedicated career development support through a Career Manager.
• A company bonus scheme tied to performance.
• Access to diversity and support groups covering mental health, inclusion, and more.

About our team

• Our people are what differentiates us. They are resourceful, innovative and dedicated. We have a mix of generalists and specialists and recognise that this diversity contributes to our success. We recognise the benefits of forming teams from a mix of disciplines, which allows us to come up with cutting edge, high quality solutions. Our breadth of work across the Public Sector provides diverse opportunities for our people to develop their careers in new areas of expertise and with new clients.
• You’ll be part of a big company, but we try to create a culture that feels like a small one.  The work will stretch you and be challenging, but we encourage a healthy work-life balance. Most of all, we know teams who work well together also perform well.  We’ll do everything we can to ensure you have fun at work, and in social activities outside of it whether that’s virtually or in person, as conditions allow.
• You will be joining our National Security & Government Business Unit which is the largest area within our UK business. Our mission is to be the most trusted partner for our National Security clients in delivery of their core mission, and we currently have over 1,000 employees working across our security and law enforcement customers to deliver on this mission.
• We have a rich history of working within National Security. In fact, we have over 50 years’ experience of delivering advice and solutions to our customers in this sector, supporting them in carrying out their vital missions.

More about BAE Systems

• BAE Systems Digital Intelligence is home to more than 4,500 digital, cyber and intelligence experts. We work collaboratively across 10 countries to collect, connect and understand complex data, so that governments, nation states, armed forces and commercial businesses can unlock digital advantage in the most demanding environments. Launched in 2022, Digital Intelligence is part of BAE Systems, and has a rich heritage in helping to defend nations and businesses from advanced threats.
• For more information please visit our website: https://www.baesystems.com/en/digital/home.

Help us secure a connected world.  Apply now and be inspired.

Life at BAE Systems Digital Intelligence 

We are embracing Hybrid Working. This means you and your colleagues may be working in different locations, such as from home, another BAE Systems office or client site, some or all of the time, and work might be going on at different times of the day.

By embracing technology, we can interact, collaborate and create together, even when we’re working remotely from one another. Hybrid Working allows for increased flexibility in when and where we work, helping us to balance our work and personal life more effectively, and enhance well-being.

Diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of BAE Systems Digital Intelligence. We are proud to have an organisational culture where employees with varying perspectives, skills, life experiences and backgrounds – the best and brightest minds – can work together to achieve excellence and realise individual and organisational potential.