Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Product Manager- Senior to Lead- G7-G6
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Product Manager - Incubator for AI (i.AI) | Civil Service (DSIT)
Locations:
Bristol | London | Manchester
About the Incubator for AI (i.AI)
The Incubator for AI (i.AI) is an autonomous, fast-moving technical unit within the UK government. Our mission is to develop transformative AI applications to improve Britain’s futures across education, energy, health, and public services.
We operate under three core principles:
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Talent: Attract the UK’s best AI practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to drive cutting-edge solutions.
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Innovation: Combine start-up speed with government impact—pushing boundaries and leveraging unique public data to build forward-thinking products.
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Impact: Harness AI for public good, creating measurable benefits for citizens—whether through personalised education, energy optimisation, or healthcare support. With support from the Prime Minister, we turn technical breakthroughs into scalable, real-world solutions.
Job Summary
We are hiring experienced Product Managers at mid to lead level to deliver AI-driven products that redefine how the public sector operates.
You’ll drive end-to-end product strategy from concept to launch, focusing on translating frontier AI capabilities into solutions that solve complex public-sector challenges.
About the Role
Key Responsibilities
Your work will span vision-setting, stakeholder management, delivery, and team leadership across a multidisciplinary environment. Expect to:
1. Product Vision & Discovery
- Define clear product hypotheses by translating cutting-edge AI research into actionable strategies.
- Speak directly with users, validate assumptions, and define high-impact experimentation—prioritising big risks over easy wins.
2. Evaluation & Performance
- Collaborate with engineering teams to define success metrics—balancing model accuracy, user adoption, and real-world impact.
- Build evaluation frameworks (e.g., A/B tests, pilot analyses) and weigh trade-offs between technical performance and practical usability.
3. Senior Stakeholder Navigation
- Engage with cross-government partners and senior leaders, explaining AI trade-offs to sceptical or unfamiliar audiences.
- Advocate for practical, ethical AI deployment in high-stakes environments (e.g., schools, housing, care systems).
4. Delivery
- Drive end-to-end product delivery, from comms and procurement to integration and user adoption.
- Work alongside Delivery Managers and engage tactically where needed to minimize bottlenecks.
5. Communication & Translation
- Bridge gaps between engineers, designers, researchers, and policy leads—tailoring language for Slack decisions, strategic memos, or ministerial briefings.
- Ensure ambiguous or jargon-heavy concepts are accessible to all stakeholders.
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6. Team Leadership & Collaboration
- Influence without authority: Script cohesive team alignment through workshops, dot-matrix docs, and human-centred decision-making.
- Mentor junior PMs and raise the bar for AI product capabilities within i.AI.
- Equally skilled in leading and listening—blending assertiveness with adaptability.
7. Prioritisation, Strategy & Accountability
- Define long-term product roadmaps in ambiguous settings, using OKRs or similar frameworks.
- Own outcomes: Drive alignment before building prototypes, ensuring clear executional plans.
8. Community & Capability Building
- Grow I.AI’s product practice by sharing emerging AI/ML methods and refining standards for designing ethical, impactful AI systems.
Who We Are Looking For (Experience at Mid to Lead Level)
Core Qualities (Mid-Level)
- End-to-end AI product experience: From idea to MVP to scale, owning potential risks, user trust, and iteration.
- Comfort shipping in early-stage contexts where requirements evolve—defining strategies for emerging problems.
- Mindset to tackle barriers like policy and adoption risk, not just technical feasibility.
- Entrepreneurial problem-solving: Clarity of thinking in ambiguity.
Leadership-Level Expectations
- Track record in sophisticated AI/ML ownership: Proven ability to prioritise trade-offs that accelerate impact (e.g., accuracy vs. equity, speed vs. robustness).
- Full-cycle strategic execution: From evaluation design to post-launch measurement, accounting for trust, failure modes, and ethical implications.
- Distilled strategy: Ability to articulate clear visions for messy real-world problems—engaging public-sector decision-makers effectively.
- Cross-functional excellence: Lead agile teams without hierarchies, navigating behavioural dynamics en route to outcomes.
- Mentorship & capability-building:
- Coach junior PMs, design interactive workshops, and establish AI product standards.
- Storytell complicated technical issues for ministers or non-technical officials.
- AI ethics & risk: Proactively identify and mitigate safety, bias, or scalability risks in sensitive contexts.
Even if you don’t check all boxes, apply if you’re mission-driven and display core competencies.
Technical & Process Considerations
Your selection process will assess:
- Technical knowledge: AI/ML foundational concepts, along with product design trade-offs in ambiguous environments.
- Upstream + downstream thinking: Storytelling from user segment to tech leveraged, and monitoring systems to ensure impact.
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Phased Assessment Approach
- Application Check:
- CV + two written responses.
- Screening Call:
- Discuss qualifications and fit for the i.AI mindshift.
- Interview:
- Technical simulation: Facilitate a collaborative product planning session across technical and non-technical disciplines.
- Behavioural + hypothetical voting & decision-making scenarios.
- Final Conversation:
- 30-minute discussion with a senior civil servant on cultural fit.
Compensation & Benefits
i.AI represents the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT)
- Guaranteed salary: Includes non-pensionable technical allowance.
- Salary bands:
- Grade 7 (leadership role):
- National: £56,850–£63,240 (max + £6,390 allow.)
- London: £61,620–£70,834 (max + £9,214 allow.)
- Grade 6 (senior role):
- National: £69,675–£77,824 (max + £8,149 allow.)
- London*: £74,605–£86,262 (max + £11,657 allow.)
- Grade 7 (leadership role):
- Civil Service Plus:
- 28.97% employer pension contribution.
- Minimum 25 paid leave days (capped at 30 post-5 years).
- Massive professional learning budgets + flexible working models (40–60%-offices flex depending on needs).
- Perks:
- Discounted consumer/tech/travel partnerships.
- Pension adjustment requires payroll switching (childcare vouchers replaced by Tax-Free Childcare transition).
Additional Expectations
- Security clearance: Required for SC vetting level. Foreign residents/temporary visa holders must confirm long-term UK stay during application pre-clearance.
- Fraud Enquiry: Candidates undergo an Internal Fraud Database check.
- Legacy eligibility: Civil Service posts are closed to applicants dismissed for fraud within the preceding five years.
Community & Culture
i.AI is part of the **Civil Service", holding true to its Dedication to Merit, Discipline, Honesty, and Equality. We prioritise diversity and inclusion, applying success profiles without bias.
Contact
Job Reference:
Application Queries: Ben Sams | ben.sams@dsit.gov.uk
Accessibility Notes
- Reasonable adjustments welcomed: Disability Confident Scheme compliant.
- Sifters and interview panels will provide technical assessment details pre-event.
Next Steps
Feedback is provided post-interview/assessment.
Inclusive recruiting:
- Veteran-backed for mission relevance.
- No reserves beyond sifted applicants—younger civil servants appear based on performance + potential.
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