Head - AI Adoption

techUK Overview: techUK is the trade association which brings together people, companies, and organisations to realise the positive outcomes of what digital technology can achieve. With over 1100 members (the majority of which are SMEs) across the UK, techUK creates a network for innovation and collaboration across business, government, and stakeholders to provide a better future for people, society, the economy, and the planet. By providing expertise and insight, we support our members, partners, and stakeholders as they prepare the UK for what comes next in a constantly changing world. Role purpose
This new role offers an exciting opportunity to join our fast-paced Tech and Innovation programme that leads techUK’s activity around a range of emerging technologies including AI, Robotics, Quantum, Digital ID and more. The Head of AI Adoption will deliver techUK’s programme of activity and engagement focused on accelerating AI adoption and deployment across all UK industries and sectors. Working closely with techUK colleagues, members, key stakeholders, and the wider technology sector the person will bring new and creative ideas to techUK’s AI adoption work and support the execution of current and future activities specifically techUK’s recently created AI Adoption Coalition.

The UK has defined AI adoption as the most critical approach to kickstarting growth and productivity in the UK economy of the future. techUK members are the companies delivering the solutions that enable the transformation of all parts of UK business and public sector organisations.

We want a leader to work directly for our Director of tech and innovation to drive this adoption of AI starting with our focus on the Industrial Strategy sectors identified as those with the most potential for UK success.

techUK has already created a partnership of the IS8 sectors trade associations and our AI adoption leader will be the person who can make that partnership a success.

The main deliverable of this high-profile role will be working closely with the Director of Technology and Innovation to develop and then deliver the strategic direction and activity and outputs focused on accelerating the responsible adoption of responsible AI that ensure techUK’s AI work is relevant, credible and influential and adds value for techUK’s members and stakeholders. This will include building relationships with relevant policy makers focusing on AI adoption initiatives, key stakeholders and industry partner organisations and advocating techUK’s positions and messaging on AI adoption, organising member meetings and roundtables, large scale events (including techUK’s annual AI conference and AI Adoption Coalition events) and other profile raising activities that showcase the opportunities of AI adoption. A central focus for this role is to work to ensure that techUK’s AI adoption strategy, content and activity on AI adoption are aligned with techUK’s wider work on AI, including AI policy and AI Assurance, and is relevant to members needs and wants, as well as the broader AI adoption debate and discussion to ensure techUK’s work in this area remains relevant and credible.

This role is an opportunity to develop close relationships with leading industry figures, techUK members, policy makers, civil society, and other key stakeholders, as well as techUK colleagues in other market programmes and the policy team.

This role requires an individual already operating at a senior level, who has initiative, enthusiasm, is organised, can prioritise effectively, is forward thinking, can build strong connections and relationships with a variety of stakeholders, work independently and as part of a team, is willing to bring new ideas and suggestions to the AI programme and can excel in an exciting and fast-paced environment spanning a range of projects and techUK teams. The role is not technical, and it would best suit an individual with a strong interest in technology policy, strategy, or ecosystems.

Key Responsibilities

- Ensuring techUK’s AI adoption strategy, activity, positions and messaging focused on seizing the AI opportunity and accelerating AI adoption are relevant, credible and influential.
- Being a visible and active participant in the UK’s AI ecosystem and cultivating excellent relationships with industry leaders and key stakeholders bringing insights and ideas to the programme. Including speaking and representing techUK at events and meetings.
- Scope, plan, launch and deliver events and activities related to AI Adoption including being the secretariate of techUK’s AI Adoption Coalition, and techUK’s new AI Forum and relevant working groups.
- Lead the strategic development of techUK’s AI Adoption initiatives including but not limited to events, reports, policy formulation, insight or interview series, annual flagship events, dinners, focus weeks and Summits. In particular, the development and delivery of techUK’s annual AI conference in January by writing agendas, identifying speakers, liaising with sponsors, partners, and members. Also ensuring key programme web pages and programme content is accurate and current.
- Remain up to date on the AI adoption debate and discussion by building close working relationship with the AI community, conducting insightful research and creating a calendar of impactful activities including roundtables and workshops to ensure techUK is a leader in AI adoption.
- Serving as an ambassador for the AI and wider Tech and Innovation programme by writing articles, speaking and attending events, and networking.
- Collaborating with other techUK programme areas, including across techUK’s Markets and Policy teams, to ensure techUK’s messages, lines and narratives in relation to AI adoption are coherent, consistent, and effectively promoted.
- Proactively maintaining and growing techUK’s AI membership base including by playing an active role in the identification and recruitment of new techUK members and by supporting colleagues by suggesting and exploring new business ideas or processes.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Core Competencies
- Able to develop a strategic plan with clear aims and objectives and experience of delivery and what it takes for a plan to be successful. The ability to deliver a broad programme of activity and at time multiple tasks, maintaining strong attention to detail.
- The ability to take on responsibility for key activities of the programme and be held accountable for actions and outcomes whilst working effectively with techUK colleagues in other programmes.
- Strong personal and professional integrity, both of which are necessary for building and maintaining trusted working relationships with key stakeholders, leading by example, and serving as an approachable point of contact across the organisation.
- Ability to react quickly and effectively to shifting developments particularly in relation to responsible AI adoption and how we get this right in the UK.
- Strong collaboration, organisation and communication skills, including the ability to produce clear and concise written communications such as event outlines, speaker briefings and articles.
- Able to craft a compelling and relevant narrative for flagship events and AI adoption webinars, as well as reports that will land well with the UK technology sector and the Industrial Strategy sector. The ability to take ownership of the planning and delivery of meetings and events related to AI including proactively identifying and addressing potential challenges and opportunities while ensuring timelines are monitored, deadlines are met, and key stakeholders are briefed.
- Highly motivated and organised with an eagerness to learn and keep up to date with the latest AI developments and proactively contribute innovative and creative ideas towards what is a constantly evolving programme.
Essential Knowledge and Experience
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong capability in researching, collating, and presenting information.
- A team player committed to helping colleagues meet their objectives.
- Experience of planning and hosting webinars or events.
- Experience of developing a programme of work or conducting product / programme management.
- Experience in stakeholder and membership engagement including recruitment of new members.
Desired Knowledge and Experience
- A broad understanding of the UK’s AI ecosystem and appreciation of the opportunities and barriers for AI adoption across UK industries in order to drive economic growth.

Additional Information

This is a full time role based out of techUK’s London offices, however techUK operates a flexible working policy.

This role profile is a guide to the work that is required but does not form part of any contract of employment and may change from time to time to reflect changing circumstances.

The successful candidate must have permission to work in the UK prior to the commencement of employment.

The salary range for this role is £45,000-£65,000 per annum based upon experience plus discretionary bonus and comprehensive benefits.

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