The government department is now seeking applications for two senior managerial positions with responsibility for overseeing and maintaining a vast tech estate, as well as driving adoption of new tools

The Ministry of Defence is offering six-figure salaries in a bid to fill two of the organisation’s most senior technology-focused positions.

Currently open for applications are the posts of: chief digital technology officer; and chief artificial intelligence and data officer.

The former position comes with “responsibility for [managing] an annual delivery budget of approximately £140.7m” and directly overseeing the work of 400 staff – as well as “a broader workforce comprising civil servants, military personnel, and contractors”, according to the job advert.

The postholder, who will earn an annual pay packet of £162,500, will have a remit to “drive and evolve common technology architecture and standards to support the realisation of defence’s strategic intent”.

“They will oversee strategy, transformation, design, and implementation, ensuring supporting architecture, standards, and compliance processes are maintained across defence,” the advert adds. “Additionally, they will be accountable for tracking and advising on the reduction and prevention of obsolescence and technical debt.”

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The post as chief AI and data officer – which is the better-remunerated, with a yearly salary of £185,000, plus bonus of up to £25,000 – is described as “an exceptionally high-profile, complex and critical role for defence”.

The advert advises potential candidates: You will lead, cohere and optimise through a federated functional operating model focusing on driving delivery, enabling strategic advantage, and unlocking productivity through the use of AI, data and information capabilities.

It adds: “The role will spearhead and direct the step change in AI thought leadership, cohered via the Defence AI Centre and coordinate the execution of strategic intent for developing and leveraging world-leading AI capabilities. You will also drive the continued development of data and information capabilities to underpin optimised military outcomes, departmental effectiveness, and productivity.”

For both roles, the adverts state that “location can be flexible within reason; for example, working or being based at… defence sites within the UK”.

Applications for the AI and data leadership post are open until 11.55pm on 29 March, while the CDTO job closes eight days later, on 6 April.