Incubator for AI (i.AI) - Sourcing Partner

Job summary

The Incubator for Artificial Intelligence (i.AI) is the UK governments 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.

Founding Sourcing Team

The Sourcing Team will define the calibre of talent inside i.AI. Were creating a new headhunting function that will drive candidate engagement and direct sourcing.

In these early roles, you will set the standard for how we identify and engage exceptional engineers, operators, and designers. You will build the networks, reputation, and systems that make i.AI a destination for Britains most talented builders.

Over time, this team will become one of the most important levers for the UKs AI capability: consistently bringing in individuals who raise the bar, accelerate delivery, and compound the effectiveness of everyone around them. The people who join now will shape not just hiring outcomes, but the long-term quality, ambition and recognition of the organisation itself.

Job description

Find and attract top talent

• Develop a deep, non-obvious understanding of the UK AI talent landscape across startups, frontier labs and hacker houses, and then become part of that world.

• Create and deliver effective search strategies for niche technical roles and senior civil service positions. Delivering at impressive speed whilst giving each candidate an outstanding experience.

Build lasting relationships

• Identify talent through direct outreach, introductions, and events. Create and maintain these connections as friends, thought partners, or sounding boards. You are helping them do the most impressive thing they can.

Create a community and run exciting events

• Attend and run exciting and relevant events to build relationships with key organisations and candidates.

• Experiment with partnerships, meetups and sponsorship to grow brand recognition.

Collaborate across teams

• Partner closely with senior members of the Civil Service and technical staff to define role requirements, selection strategies, and candidate evaluation processes.

• Work alongside the wider Talent Operations team to ensure each candidate has a superior experience from first conversation to final offer.

Person specification

Youd be a great fit if you have some of the below:

Essential Criteria

• Experience sourcing and engaging high-calibre talent.

• Strong understanding of the UK AI ecosystem, particularly startups and frontier labs.

• Ability to design and deliver search strategies.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

• Evidence of building and maintaining long-term talent pipelines and professional networks.

• A proactive approach to work and a willingness to learn quickly.

• Ability to work at pace while maintaining quality and exceptional candidate experience.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in an in-house sourcing, research, or executive search role within a technical or research-driven organisation.

• Familiarity with applicant tracking systems, sourcing tools, and data-led approaches to recruitment.

• Has run events or communities before.