AI maturity
building
Chief AI Officer
Head of AI & Data
UK Hydrographic Office · Government / Defence & Maritime Intelligence · 📍 Taunton, England, United Kingdom
The UK's national hydrographic authority is creating a senior executive role to lead AI strategy and enterprise data capability, likely driven by defence modernisation and the growing demand for AI-enhanced maritime navigation and geospatial intelligence.
Reports to
CTO
Company stage
public
Source
linkedin
Key responsibilities
- Define and lead the organisation's AI and enterprise data strategy
- Build and mature data and AI capabilities across the enterprise
- Oversee data governance, architecture, and quality standards
- Drive adoption of AI/ML to enhance hydrographic and geospatial products
- Engage senior stakeholders including government, defence, and commercial partners
Requirements
- Proven senior leadership in AI and/or enterprise data programmes
- Experience delivering AI/data transformation in complex organisations
- Strong stakeholder management and executive communication skills
Signals
- ⚠ No salary posted — common in UK public sector but limits candidate targeting
- ⚠ Taunton location may limit executive talent pool significantly
- ⚠ No description text provided — full scope and seniority cannot be fully verified
- ⚠ Public sector compensation typically below market rate for AI executives
- ✓ National strategic organisation with clear AI transformation imperative
- ✓ Role spans both AI and enterprise data — broad mandate with real authority
- ✓ No previous postings suggest this is a net-new, purpose-built leadership role
- ✓ Growing government investment in defence and maritime AI creates budget tailwind
- ✓ UKHO has significant proprietary data assets (nautical charts, bathymetric data) with strong AI potential