Onboarding Lead - i.AI at i.AI — London, United Kingdom

About The Role

&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Grade- SEO&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Salary- &lt;/strong&gt;£44,620- £47,355&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This role closes on 4th October 2026 at 23:59&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;h1&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About the Incubator for AI (i.AI)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The Incubator for Artificial Intelligence (&lt;a href=&quot;http://i.ai/&quot;&gt;i.AI&lt;/a&gt;) is the UK government’s engine room for building products that shape national outcomes. We will be building tools used daily by thousands of civil servants, directly impacting millions of citizens. We take on the hardest problems in government, backed directly by No10, and solve them with a small, high-performing team. Our work is shaping how government adopts AI in practice; through what we build, who we hire, and the standards we set.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h1&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About the role&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The central Recruitment Operations team across i.AI and AISI is responsible for attracting, selecting and onboarding the exceptional technical and policy talent needed to deliver on our mission. We are a small, high-performing team that enables the organisation we support to hire and retain the world-class engineers and policy professionals who do the work that matters.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The team covers end-to-end recruitment for all of the AI Security Institute and the i.AI , as well as onboarding, process improvement and operational delivery. We work closely with Hiring Managers, the People Team, GRS, and a range of internal and external stakeholders. The team is building out its infrastructure and processes as the organisation scales rapidly.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This is an exciting time to join Recruitment Operations focussing on the Incubator for AI. We are building something from scratch, and the person in this role will have genuine scope to shape how i.AI onboards its people — with a direct and visible impact on the experience of every new joiner.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h1&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Role Responsibilities&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Primary objective: To improve the efficiency of i.AI’s onboarding processes and enhance the new joiner experience — ensuring every candidate who joins i.AI, however complex their circumstances, has a smooth, well-managed and professional onboarding journey.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Core responsibilities:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing&quot; data-ogsb=&quot;rgb(255, 255, 255)&quot;&gt;&lt;span data-ogsc=&quot;rgb(18, 42, 33)&quot;&gt;1. Complex Candidate&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-converted-space&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;outlook-search-highlight&quot; data-markjs=&quot;true&quot;&gt;Onboard&lt;/span&gt;ing (~60% of time): Own the end-to-end&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-converted-space&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;outlook-search-highlight&quot; data-markjs=&quot;true&quot;&gt;onboard&lt;/span&gt;ing journey for all &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-ogsc=&quot;rgb(18, 42, 33)&quot;&gt;candidates — those requiring visa sponsorship, security clearances, non-standard pay arrangements, or other bespoke&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-ogsc=&quot;rgb(18, 42, 33)&quot;&gt;handling. Candidates include secondees, Amber contractors, fellows, SCS and above, and those with conflicts of interest.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing&quot; data-ogsb=&quot;rgb(255, 255, 255)&quot;&gt;&lt;span data-ogsc=&quot;rgb(18, 42, 33)&quot;&gt;2. Process Improvement &amp;amp; Efficiency (~40% of time): Lead a programme of work to improve&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-converted-space&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;outlook-search-highlight&quot; data-markjs=&quot;true&quot;&gt;onboard&lt;/span&gt;ing processes and&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-ogsc=&quot;rgb(18, 42, 33)&quot;&gt;self-serve capability, as well as new joiner induction from day 1 onwards. This includes working with GRS, facilitating workshops, defining and documenting &lt;span class=&quot;outlook-search-highlight&quot; data-markjs=&quot;true&quot;&gt;onboard&lt;/span&gt;ing SLAs, working on automation, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-ogsc=&quot;rgb(18, 42, 33)&quot;&gt;and creating new joiner and contractor guidance, as well as line manager guidance.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;3. Recruitment Account Management: Maintain recruitment accounts for up to 8 live roles across the organisation, supporting Talent Partners with campaign administration and candidate management.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing&quot; data-ogsb=&quot;rgb(255, 255, 255)&quot;&gt;&lt;span data-ogsc=&quot;rgb(18, 42, 33)&quot;&gt;Success in the first 90 days looks like: all candidate journeys are actively managed and on track; initial &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-ogsc=&quot;rgb(18, 42, 33)&quot;&gt;GRS engagement has taken place;&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-converted-space&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;outlook-search-highlight&quot; data-markjs=&quot;true&quot;&gt;onboard&lt;/span&gt;ing SLAs are drafted for review.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing&quot; data-ogsb=&quot;rgb(255, 255, 255)&quot;&gt;&lt;span data-ogsc=&quot;rgb(18, 42, 33)&quot;&gt;Success at 6 months: self-serve&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-converted-space&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;outlook-search-highlight&quot; data-markjs=&quot;true&quot;&gt;onboard&lt;/span&gt;ing guidance is live; GRS workshop completed;&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-converted-space&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;outlook-search-highlight&quot; data-markjs=&quot;true&quot;&gt;onboard&lt;/span&gt;ing process is&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-ogsc=&quot;rgb(18, 42, 33)&quot;&gt;measurably faster and more consistent.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing&quot;&gt;&lt;span data-ogsc=&quot;rgb(18, 42, 33)&quot;&gt;Success at 1 year: the function is running smoothly and the wider team has clear visibility of the pipeline and hiring manager/line manager expectations&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h1&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Person specifications&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing&quot; data-ogsb=&quot;rgb(255, 255, 255)&quot;&gt;&lt;span data-ogsc=&quot;rgb(18, 42, 33)&quot;&gt;Essential Criteria:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing&quot;&gt;&lt;span data-ogsc=&quot;rgb(18, 42, 33)&quot;&gt;1. Experience managing complex&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-converted-space&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;outlook-search-highlight&quot; data-markjs=&quot;true&quot;&gt;onboard&lt;/span&gt;ing or people operations processes — including cases with non-standard r&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-ogsc=&quot;rgb(18, 42, 33)&quot;&gt;equirements (e.g. visa, security clearance, contractor arrangements)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing&quot;&gt;&lt;span data-ogsc=&quot;rgb(18, 42, 33)&quot;&gt;2. Strong organisational skills — able to manage multiple cases, deadlines and stakeholders simultaneously without losing &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-ogsc=&quot;rgb(18, 42, 33)&quot;&gt;accuracy or pace&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing&quot;&gt;&lt;span data-ogsc=&quot;rgb(18, 42, 33)&quot;&gt;3. Process improvement mindset — comfortable identifying inefficiencies, designing solutions, considering automations and building guidance that &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-ogsc=&quot;rgb(18, 42, 33)&quot;&gt;reduces manual effort&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing&quot;&gt;&lt;span data-ogsc=&quot;rgb(18, 42, 33)&quot;&gt;4. Excellent written communication skills — able to produce clear, accessible guidance and documentation for a range of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-ogsc=&quot;rgb(18, 42, 33)&quot;&gt;audiences&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing&quot;&gt;&lt;span data-ogsc=&quot;rgb(18, 42, 33)&quot;&gt;5. Strong stakeholder management — able to work confidently with candidates, hiring managers, HR teams and external &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-ogsc=&quot;rgb(18, 42, 33)&quot;&gt;partners&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing&quot;&gt;&lt;span data-ogsc=&quot;rgb(18, 42, 33)&quot;&gt;6. High level of discretion and sensitivity — this role involves handling complex personal circumstances, pay cases and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-ogsc=&quot;rgb(18, 42, 33)&quot;&gt;sensitive information&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing&quot;&gt;&lt;span data-ogsc=&quot;rgb(18, 42, 33)&quot;&gt;7. Self-starter — able to work independently, problem-solve and make sound judgements without close supervision&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing&quot;&gt;&lt;span data-ogsc=&quot;rgb(18, 42, 33)&quot;&gt;Preferred Criteria:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing&quot;&gt;&lt;span data-ogsc=&quot;rgb(18, 42, 33)&quot;&gt;1. Experience working with visa, immigration or security clearance processes in a government or large organisation &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-ogsc=&quot;rgb(18, 42, 33)&quot;&gt;context&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing&quot;&gt;&lt;span data-ogsc=&quot;rgb(18, 42, 33)&quot;&gt;2. Familiarity with government recruitment systems such as GRS, Civil Service Jobs or equivalent ATS platforms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing&quot;&gt;&lt;span data-ogsc=&quot;rgb(18, 42, 33)&quot;&gt;3. Experience facilitating workshops or cross-team process improvement initiatives&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing&quot;&gt;&lt;span data-ogsc=&quot;rgb(18, 42, 33)&quot;&gt;4. Understanding of Civil Service HR frameworks, pay policies and contractor/secondee arrangements&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h1&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What we offer&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Career-defining projects with outsized impact&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&amp;nbsp; Backing from the Prime Minister and No10 to scope and build transformative AI projects.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&amp;nbsp; Unique opportunities to apply technology that could transform the public sector and impact citizens’ lives.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&amp;nbsp; Talented, supportive and mission-driven colleagues.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Resources &amp;amp; access&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&amp;nbsp; Access to frontier models and ample compute.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&amp;nbsp; Extensive operational, engineering, strategy, design and delivery support so you can focus on shipping.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&amp;nbsp; Work with experts across national security, policy, AI research and adjacent sciences.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Growth &amp;amp; empowerment&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&amp;nbsp; A team culture and development support that prioritises personal growth.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&amp;nbsp; Opportunities to own important products early and develop them in small empowered teams.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&amp;nbsp; 5 days off for learning and development, annual stipends for learning and development, and funding for conferences and external collaborations.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Life &amp;amp; family*&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&amp;nbsp;Hybrid working, flexibility for occasional remote work abroad, and stipends for work-from-home equipment.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Contract: 24 month Fixed Term Contract- please feel free ask about this.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Generous annual leave — 25 days plus one additional day for each year of service.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&amp;nbsp;Generous paid parental leave (up to 39 weeks full pay, with the option of additional unpaid time).&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&amp;nbsp;On top of your salary, we contribute 28.97% of your base salary to your pension.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&amp;nbsp;Discounts and benefits for cycling to work, dental insurance, donations and retail/gyms.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;*These benefits apply to direct employees. Benefits may differ for people joining through other employment arrangements such as secondments.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h1&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Selection Process&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Sift: Applications will be assessed on CV and personal statement. Candidates should demonstrate their experience against the essential criteria, with particular focus on their ability to manage complex onboarding or HR processes and their approach to process improvement.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Stage 1 : Experience Interview&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Stage 2 — Structured Interview: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a structured interview assessing experience and behaviours against the person specification. The interview will include a short exercise or presentation element — details to be confirmed at shortlisting stage.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Stage 3 – SCS Leadership Panel&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Reasonable adjustments are available at every stage&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;content-pay-transparency&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;pay-input&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;title&quot;&gt;Salary&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;pay-range&quot;&gt;&lt;span&gt;£44,620&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;divider&quot;&gt;&amp;mdash;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;£47,355 GBP&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;