Chief Data Officer and Deputy Director of the Data Hub - HM Treasury - SCS1

Location

This post is based in Darlington (Feethams House).

About the job

Job summary

If you’re interested in making a difference to people’s lives, the Treasury can offer you an exciting opportunity to influence decision making that affects the whole of the UK. Working at the heart of government, we collaborate across government to promote responsible public spending and drive strong and sustainable economic growth.  

Our work ranges from protecting customers through the regulation of the financial sector, helping to reduce carbon emissions and creating a greener economy, to promoting British trade around the world and supporting people across the country on jobs, growth and more.  

We are part of the Darlington Economic Campus, a pioneering new cross-government hub which brings people together to play an active role in the most important issues of the day whilst working closer to the communities we serve. The campus provides the opportunity for people from all over the UK to help shape the future of the country, and our flexible working practices ensure you can collaborate effectively with our partners. It’s central government, made more accessible to you! 

Job description

About the Group

Economics Group

The Economics Group leads HM Treasury’s analysis of developments in the UK economy and advises ministers on the implications for the Government’s economic strategy. It provides expert economic analysis and advice for Ministers. The Group’s data hub is transforming how the Treasury uses data across its entire business. The Group collaborates with external experts on the UK economy, including the Bank of England, Office for Budget Responsibility and leading academics. Economics Group provides support for the UK Government’s economic and social research professions, including running centralised recruitment and the annual conferences. 

About the Team

The Economics Group leads HM Treasury’s analysis of developments in the UK economy and advises ministers on the implications for the Government’s economic strategy. It provides expert economic analysis and advice for Ministers. The Group’s data hub is transforming how the Treasury uses data across its entire business. The Group collaborates with external experts on the UK economy, including the Bank of England, Office for Budget Responsibility and leading academics. Economics Group provides support for the UK Government’s economics and social research professions, including running centralised recruitment and the annual conferences. 

The Data Hub was established to drive change and build data science capability across the 400 strong analytical community in the department with the aim of improving HMT’s economics analysis and policy. 

Leading the hub will provide a unique opportunity to shape change with lasting influence on GMT’s analytical capability for years to come. With your stewardship, the hub will provide strategic coordination and support to teams across the department to all them both better exploit data automation as well as bring data science to bear on new and novel data sources. 

The hub delivers this critical role across two branches: 

Data Management Branch 

The branch is led by a Head of Data Management and has data engineering as well as generalist data focussed resources. The branch focus is to drive best practice data management within groups in HMT. The branch manages Hawkeye: the corporate data & analytics infrastructure based on Microsoft Fabric & Azure, and work with our Chief Information Officer and Treasury Business Services. Some of the challenges for the team include further enhancing the existing data strategy with a focus on developing a roadmap of data assets, introducing a lightweight data catalogue, and continuing to invest in our corporate data warehouse. 

Advanced Analytics Branch 

The branch is led by a Head of Advanced Analytics, 4 data scientists and 2 data science apprentices. The branch focuses on providing data science expertise through project delivery, capability investment and enhancing our analytic support for policy decisions. Examples of work within the branch include developing an AI-ensemble method to automate the allocation and response choice for inbound correspondence, using Artificial Intelligence to improve how we develop a cashflow forecast for government transactions, and working on novel analysis to better understand effects of preventative spending. Challenges for the team identifying and delivery advanced analytic opportunity specifically aligned to policy challenge – communicate benefits in a non-technical way and introducing governance across groups to promote those opportunities around HMT. 

About the Job

As Chief Data Officer (CDO) at HM Treasury, you will be at the forefront of transforming how the department leverages data and artificial intelligence to shape the nation’s economic future. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the Treasury’s transition into a data-driven, AI-enabled organisation, championing the value of data science at the highest levels. 

You will work closely with senior leaders across the Treasury and wider government to identify, initiate, and deliver high-impact projects that drive policy innovation and operational excellence. Your leadership will be instrumental in embedding automation, advanced analytics, and AI solutions to unlock efficiencies, generate new insights, and add tangible value to the department’s work. 

Building on a strong foundation, you will set the vision for how data and AI are harnessed to inform policy development and public spending decisions. You will play a pivotal role in fostering a culture of innovation, working with talented analysts and data professionals to position the Treasury as a centre of excellence in economic analysis and digital transformation. 

This role is ideally suited to an ambitious and energetic leader who thrives in a mission-driven environment and is passionate about the power of data and technology to deliver public good. 
 

Key Responsibilities:

Drive the delivery of the Treasury’s data strategy and implementation plan, supporting creation of the new Treasury Digital and Data function ensuring that the Data Hub and specialist groups operate to the highest standards and deliver measurable impact. 
Lead the identification, scoping, and delivery of cutting-edge projects both within the Treasury and in collaboration with other departments where data science and AI can directly advance HMT’s strategic objectives. 
Inspire and lead communities of practice across coding, analytics, and data visualisation, nurturing a culture of creativity and experimentation. Alongside supporting Government Digital Service (GDS) led initiatives and wider community events. 
Champion the adoption, development, and ethical use of AI whether developed in-house or in partnership with organisations such as the Office for National Statistics and the Government Digital Service ensuring that the Treasury remains at the forefront of digital government. 
Serve as the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) for data use across the department, working with the GDS to advance data maturity, promote AI transparency, and set robust standards for responsible data and AI use. Represent HMT’s unique data needs in cross-government forums. 
Lead and empower the Data Hub’s data scientists and engineers, collaborating with the wider analytical community to develop innovative tools, enhance data visualisation, and drive efficiency and value through improved analytical products and methodologies. 
Play an active role in the leadership of the Economics Group, with a particular focus on the Darlington Economic Campus, and contribute to the strategic direction of HM Treasury’s AI and analytical capability. 

If you would like to speak to the hiring manager informally prior to the closing date for applications to find out more about the job, please contact Lindsey Jones via lindsey.jones@hmtreasury.gov.uk who will be able to arrange an appointment.

Person specification

Required Skills, Experience and Behaviours: 

For your application, please send us a CV and a personal statement setting out how you meet the following skills, behaviours and experience. This should be no longer than 1000 words, and include no more than 250 words on each criteria shown below:

Strong understanding and experience in leading others to apply statistics and data science techniques to real world problems and/or in the approach to and application of data governance. 
Evidence of a successful track record leading teams – specifically providing AI/data leadership at a senior level – encouraging a change of culture in a fast-paced environment, motivating the dynamic delivery of high-quality results whilst promoting wellbeing, management excellence, diversity and inclusion 
Ability to build effective relationships based on mutual respect and appreciation and to use them to deliver tangible results 
Ability to influence at all levels demonstrating credibility of judgement and excellent communications skills 
 

Artificial Intelligence (AI)  

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use. 

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

Communicating and Influencing
Leadership
Working Together

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

Applying data science techniques to resolve varying and complex issues.