Data Lead

Data Lead (Contract – 3 Months initial)

Location: London, Newcastle (Hybrid)

Contract Duration: 3 months initial

Overview

We’re seeking a seasoned Data Lead to own and deliver the data strategy for govt client that uses services used by over 18m citizens encompassing three newly rebuilt benefits systems. You will define where our data capabilities are today, set the future vision, and architect the roadmap to get us there—then design the data team to execute it.

Key Responsibilities

• Data Strategy & Governance
• Lead the end-to-end Data Strategy for Bereavement & Care services.
• Map the “as-is” and “to-be” state of our data platforms and pipelines.
• Develop a 3-month strategic roadmap aligned with the wider Government Data Strategy.
• Define and embed organisational policies, standards and guidelines for secure, scalable data services.

• Technical Leadership & Architecture
• Select and evolve data engineering methods, tools and techniques.
• Ensure adherence to agreed technical strategies and architectures.
• Plan and drive delivery of complex data engineering programmes across multiple systems.
• Balance functional and non-functional requirements when designing data solutions.

• Team Design & Delivery

• Define the optimal data team structure (roles, skills, capacity) to deliver the strategy.

• Design and chair multi-functional delivery teams, mentoring engineers, scientists and analysts.

• Partner with our delivery provider to onboard specialist roles per your recommendations.

• Oversee implementation of new data platforms, ETL pipelines, and analytical models.

• Standards, Compliance & Quality

• Monitor application of data standards, governance frameworks and security controls.

• Embed strong data quality, lineage and protection practices across all systems.

• Contribute to and enforce enterprise-wide data engineering policies and compliance.

Required Experience & Skills

• Data Leadership: ≥ 10 years across data engineering, data science or analytics; proven track record setting/executing data strategies in complex organisations.

• Technical Breadth:

• Cloud-based data platforms AWS must (Azure, AWS or equivalent)

• Modern ETL/ELT tools and data pipeline frameworks

• Data modelling, warehousing and transformation best practices

• Data science/ML lifecycle from prototype to production

• Government/Public Sector: Experience to GDS-equivalent standards; strong grasp of GDPR, FOI and public-sector procurement.

• Communication & Stakeholder Management: Able to translate technical concepts for non-tech executives; excellent leadership, mentoring and team-building skills.

Tech Stack

• Performance Analytics: Google Analytics, Google BigQuery, Google Looker Studio, Google Tag Manager

Desirable

• Domain experience in benefits or civic services (e.g. public sector).

• Previous contracting under SIFA or similar public-sector frameworks.

• Security clearance (BPSS, SC or DV) or willingness to obtain.

Contract Details

• Rate: 600-650 inside ir35

• Duration: 3 months (potential extension)

• Security Clearance: BPSS minimum; higher clearance if required

How to Apply

Send your CV and a brief cover note highlighting relevant experience to recruitment@scrum connect.com