Job Description

Salary:

London:

72,458,

Cheltenham

and

Manchester:

71,067

Flexible Working

We value a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working options, including part-time hours, compressed workweeks, and remote working. Part-time roles require a minimum of four days per week, with some in-office presence proportionate to the number of hours worked. Full-time employees are expected to be in the office at least three days per week. Occasional UK travel may be required for one or two days each month.

About Us

MI5 keeps the country safe from serious threats like terrorism and attempts by states to harm the UK, its people and its way of life. We carry out investigations by obtaining, analysing, and assessing intelligence, and then work with a range of partners including MI6 and GCHQ to disrupt these threats. Through our protective security arm, we provide advice and guidance to the government, businesses and other organisations about how to keep themselves safe. A role in MI5 means you'll do unique and challenging work in a supportive and encouraging environment, making a real difference to UK national security.

The Role

As a Digital Learning Technology Innovation Lead, your role is crucial in shaping the future of learning across the UK Intelligence Community. Acting as a thought leader and catalyst for change, you'll bring energy, innovation, and strategic insight to a space that is vital to both our people's development and the success of our mission. This newly created role offers real autonomy and the chance to influence how our people learn, grow, and perform. Leading cross-functional projects, driving digital learning strategy at scale, and embedding cutting-edge technologies that transform the learning experience are key aspects of this role.


You'll identify, pilot, and scale innovative digital learning solutions that meet the evolving needs of our teams. Everything from immersive Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) to adaptive learning platforms and Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven analytics. Your work will ensure our learning technologies are not only future-ready but also secure and aligned with strategic goals.


Joining a well-established and collaborative Digital Learning team, you'll work across MI5, MI6, and GCHQ. As part of this team, you'll craft a unified strategy that bolsters national security through smarter, more effective learning. With a significant emphasis on cross-organisational collaboration, you'll partner closely with L&D, IT, Security, and external partners to deliver impactful, tech-enabled learning experiences. While the role doesn't initially include line management, it offers the chance to grow into broader leadership responsibilities.

About You

This role demands a combination of strategic thinking, technical expertise, and creative curiosity. A solid background in digital learning technologies - such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), adaptive learning, and analytics - is essential for confidently navigating complex environments. You'll be expected to introduce innovative solutions that enhance how people learn and grow.


Experience working across organisational boundaries is crucial, including collaboration with stakeholders from IT, L&D and Security, as well as external partners. The ability to evaluate emerging technologies and translate them into practical, secure solutions is central to the role. Whether leading cross-functional projects or shaping long-term strategy, you'll bring clarity, drive, and a collaborative mindset to everything you do.


Thriving in ambiguity and enjoying the challenge of building something new are important traits. With your proactive approach, you'll bring the resilience and adaptability needed to integrate this new role into an established function. Your leadership-both in thought and action-will be instrumental in shaping the future of digital learning across the UK Intelligence Community.


Effective communication and stakeholder engagement skills are essential, along with the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Proficiency in evaluating risks, navigating security protocols, and balancing innovation with operational needs is necessary.


Thriving in complex environments, engaging with senior stakeholders, and articulating your vision with clarity and confidence are vital. A genuine interest in emerging technologies and a passion for learning are important. Whether coming from the public or private sector, what matters most is experience in delivering strategic, tech-enabled learning solutions.

Training and Development

From the moment you join us, you'll be welcomed with a comprehensive induction that not only introduces you to your team and role but also integrates you into our organisation. You'll participate in a well-structured onboarding programme and a personalised induction into the Digital Learning function, designed to boost your confidence and provide clarity as you embark on this exciting new phase of your career.


We also support you in pursuing professional qualifications, such as CIPD or other L&D certifications. Being part of our culture means valuing continuous learning, with regular check-ins, peer support, and mentoring opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge.


Don't worry, you won't be alone. With supportive colleagues and the necessary tools, you'll excel in a rewarding and impactful career.

Rewards and Benefits

You'll receive a starting salary of 72,458 London, or 71,067 in Manchester or Cheltenham, plus other benefits including:

25 days of annual leave, automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years' service, and an additional 10.5 days of public and privilege holidays. Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme. Dedicated development budget. Interest-free season ticket loan. Excellent pension scheme. Cycle-to-work scheme. Facilities, such as a gym, restaurant, and on-site coffee bars (at some locations). Paid parental and adoption leave.

Equal Opportunities

At MI5 diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a truly diverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense of the word: those with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking, and those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are under-represented in our workforce, such as women, those from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and those from low socio-economic backgrounds.


Find out more about our culture, working environment and diversity on our website:

https://www.MI5.gov.uk/careers/diversity

We're Disability Confident

MI5 is proud to have achieved Leader status within the DWP's Disability Confident scheme. This is aimed at encouraging employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain, and develop disabled people. As a Disability Confident Leader, we aim to ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants who best meet the essential minimum criteria for this position, will be offered an interview, if it is practical for us to do so. (this is known as offer of an interview). To secure an interview for this role, the minimum criteria (in order of application process) are:

Eligibility questions

- you will be asked a series of questions. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you will proceed to the initial application form.

Application form

- you will be asked a series of questions relating to the position and are required to meet the minimum pass mark set.

Virtual interview

- on successful completion of these stages, you will be invited to attend a virtual Interview.

There is a wide range of extra support available throughout the recruitment process to help you do your best. See our website for information on reasonable adjustments we can offer.

What to Expect

Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. Here is a brief overview of each stage, in order:

Pre-screening questions

, which will ensure you meet our initial eligibility criteria to apply.

Application sift

, which will assess your motivation for the role, the organisation and your relevant experience.

Online interview

, which will include motivational, technical, and competency-based questions, and may also involve a presentation.

Conditional offer,

if successful, you'll receive a conditional offer of employment subject to vetting.

Please note, you must successfully pass each stage of the process to progress to the next. Your application may take around 6 to 9 months to process, including vetting, so we advise you continue any current employment until you have received your final job offer.

Before You Apply

To work at MI5, you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. Read about our eligibility criteria.


This role requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). It's something everyone in the UK Intelligence Community undertakes. Find out more about the vetting process.


Please note we have a strict drugs policy, so once you start your application, you can't take any recreational drugs, and you'll need to declare your previous drug usage at the relevant stage.


Before you apply, we advise you to consider setting up a separate email address for your contact with us, to ensure your personal and application correspondence remain separate. Try to avoid having identifying features in your email address, such as your first and/or surname and date of birth. This is good practice and will help you manage your application with us more securely.


The role is based in London, Manchester or Cheltenham, so you'll need to live within a commutable distance of your chosen location. Please consider any financial implications and practicalities before submitting an application, as we do not offer relocation costs. An interest-free loan is available to assist with relocation costs.

Please note, you should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an application. Applying from outside the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member.

Right to Withdraw Statement:

Please be aware that we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date for this role from the original closing date once a certain number of applications have been received. Please be mindful of this and submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.