Data, Digital & AI Lead

Organisation: UK Sport
Salary: £80,000
Location: Loughborough, London or Manchester based, with regular remote working.
Contract type: Permanent (Full time)
Closing date: 19 April 2026
Interview date: 6 May 2026
Job Description: Who are UK Sport?

We are the UK’s trusted high-performance experts, powering our greatest athletes, teams and sports to achieve extraordinary success on the world stage. Through National Lottery and Government investment, we support Olympic and Paralympic sports to reach world leading potential — and help bring the world’s biggest sporting events to the UK.
Our purpose is to lead high-performance sport to enable extraordinary moments that enrich lives.
We are on a mission to create the greatest decade of sporting moments — inspiring, reaching and uniting the nation.

About the Role

This is a unique and high impact opportunity to transform how the UK’s high-performance system uses data, digital tools and artificial intelligence.
As Data, Digital & AI Lead, you will lead the strategic delivery of the People and Performance pillars of UK Sport’s Data, Digital & AI Strategy  — shaping how athletes, coaches and practitioners learn, connect, collaborate and make decisions.
From building early AI driven prototypes, to developing systemwide digital capabilities, through to driving long -term planning for LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032 — your work will directly influence the future of UK high- performance sport.
This role is for someone who thrives in complexity, sees the possibilities of modern technology, and is energised by shaping a bold, insight driven future.

What you’ll lead

Strategic Leadership
• Lead delivery of the People and Performance pillars of the UK Sport Data, Digital & AI Strategy
• Translate strategic ambitions into clear, practical implementation plans
• Shape system wide digital and data direction while supporting the Growth & Productivity pillars
Digital Delivery & Innovation
• Deliver early high value digital and AI solutions, including MVPs and proofs of concept
• Prioritise opportunities that can drive performance impact — including the LA28 cycle
• Guide build vs buy decisions, sequencing, and readiness
System & Stakeholder Engagement
• Work collaboratively with partners including UKSI, NGBs, Home Nations, BOA and BPA
• Drive adoption of system tools such as the Performance Hub and system membership models
• Support alignment with long- term system planning for Brisbane 2032
Partnerships & Supplier Management
• Develop strong, values aligned relationships with technology and delivery partners
• Oversee supplier ecosystems to ensure strong performance, value for money and ethical AI practice
Collaboration, Governance & Impact
• Embed best practice in digital governance, data ethics and trust across the system
• Demonstrate measurable system impact and ROI for digital and AI initiatives
• Contribute to building a culture of shared learning, insight and evidence based decisions
About you
You’re a strategic, forward thinking leader with a strong track record of delivering transformation in complex environments. You build relationships easily, influence effectively and move comfortably between high level system strategy and hand s on delivery.

You’ll bring:
• Experience working in complex, multi stakeholder environments
• Strong strategic thinking — able to turn ideas into clear, actionable plans
• Proven ability to lead complex programmes and drive change at pace
• Excellent communication and influencing skills
• Confidence working with technical, commercial and delivery partners
• Experience leading or contributing to interdisciplinary teams
Even better if you also have:
• Leadership experience across digital, data or AI transformation
• Understanding of high-performance or elite performance environment s
• Experience designing or implementing digital/data operating models
• Knowledge of AI ethics, data governance or modern digital delivery practices
How to apply: https://uksport.current-vacancies.com/Jobs/Advert/4145307?cid=3176