At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the transformation of our data strategy and coordinate across multiple teams.
- Company: Join AJ Bell, a fast-growing investment platform with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days holiday, a generous pension scheme, and health benefits.
- Other info: Hybrid working, regular social events, and tailored learning opportunities await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving data-led decision-making in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 8-12 years in data transformation with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
We’re looking for a Head of Data Transformation to lead the delivery of our enterprise data strategy and coordinate our transition to a truly data-led organisation. This role is not about owning individual data capabilities, but about orchestrating transformation across multiple teams. You will act as the connective tissue across our data leadership - working in close partnership with the Data Director and leads of other data and technology teams to ensure aligned, prioritised, and measurable delivery of our data strategy.
You’ll bring structure, pace, and clarity to a complex transformation environment, ensuring that initiatives across data, analytics, governance, and technology come together into a coherent, outcome-driven programme.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Lead the Data Transformation Programme
- Own and drive the end-to-end data transformation roadmap, ensuring alignment across all data and technology teams
- Coordinate delivery across multiple workstreams, including reporting, data migration, governance, and platform development
- Ensure dependencies are managed, risks are surfaced, and progress is transparent
- Establish and run the overall transformation governance and delivery cadence
Orchestrate Across Data Leadership
- Partner closely with data, technology and business stakeholders across the business to:
- Ensure alignment of priorities, roadmaps, and delivery plans across these areas
- Resolve cross-team challenges, trade-offs, and sequencing decisions
- Create a joined-up view of progress against the data strategy
Drive Value, Prioritisation & Accountability
- Define and embed frameworks to prioritise initiatives based on business value, risk, and strategic importance
- Ensure use cases and initiatives are clearly linked to measurable outcomes
- Track and report value realisation, adoption, and business impact
- Support senior stakeholders in making informed prioritisation and investment decisions
Embed the Data Operating Model
- Partner with the Data Director to establish and embed the Data Office operating model
- Define and run processes for:
- Demand management
- Prioritisation
- Delivery tracking
- Executive reporting
- Provide clear artefacts and reporting to track:
- Strategy execution
- Transformation milestones
- Adoption and value realisation
Lead Stakeholder Engagement & Change
- Act as the central point of coordination between business, data, and technology teams
- Translate complex transformation activity into clear, executive-level updates and decisions
- Drive organisational alignment and momentum behind the data strategy
- Champion a shift toward data-driven decision-making across the business
What Success Looks Like
Within 12–24 months, you will have:
- Established a well-governed, transparent transformation programme with clear ownership and delivery cadence
- Ensured alignment across Insights, Governance, and Technology, with reduced duplication and conflict
- Delivered a coherent and prioritised roadmap linked to measurable business outcomes
- Enabled successful rollout of:
- A trusted single source of reporting and the business empowered through self-serve of data and insights (led by Data Insights)
- Improved data quality and governance (led by Data Governance)
- Increased adoption of data and analytics across the organisation
- Built strong confidence from executives in the progress and value of the data strategy
What We’re Looking For
Essential Experience
- 8–12+ years in data, transformation, or programme delivery roles with leadership responsibility
- Proven track record of leading complex, cross-functional transformation programmes
- Experience working across multiple data domains (analytics, governance, engineering)
- Strong understanding of:
- Data platforms and reporting ecosystems
- Data governance and quality disciplines
- Delivery frameworks (agile, hybrid, or programme-based)
- Experience operating in complex or regulated environments
Competence, Knowledge and Skills
Desirable
- Experience in financial services, fintech, or similarly regulated industries
- Exposure to AI-enabled analytics or data products
- Experience establishing or running transformation offices, PMOs, or Data Offices
- Familiarity with product-led and domain-oriented data operating models
About You
- A strong programme leader who thrives in complex, multi-stakeholder environments
- Highly organised, with the ability to bring structure and clarity to ambiguity
- A natural collaborator, skilled at influencing without authority
About AJ Bell
AJ Bell is one of the UK’s fastest-growing investment platform businesses, providing award-winning solutions for everyone, from professional financial advisers to first-time investors. Today, over 723,000 customers trust us to manage more than £108.7 billion of assets. By continually striving to make investing simpler and more accessible, we’re helping more people take control of their financial futures. We’re proud to be recognised as one of the UK’s Best 100 Companies to Work For for six consecutive years, and a Great Place to Work® in 2025 and 2026 a reflection of our supportive and collaborative culture.
What we offer
- 26 days holiday, increasing with service + buy/sell scheme + bank holidays
- 7% Pension with matched contributions
- Discretionary bonus scheme
- Share schemes (including free shares and BAYE)
- Health Cash Plan and discounted private healthcare
- Free onsite gym
- Enhanced family leave (subject to qualifying criteria)
- Travel and bike loan schemes
- Employee Assistance Programme
Life at AJ Bell
- Regular social events including summer and Christmas parties
- Learning and development opportunities tailored to you
- Casual dress code
- Friendly, supportive team environment
Our ways of working
We offer hybrid working, with a minimum of 60% of your working time per month spent in the office. For new starters, there’s an initial period of full-time office working to help you settle in and build relationships.
Inclusion & diversity
We’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected and able to be themselves at work. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and make hiring decisions based on skills, experience and potential.
Head of Data Transformation in Manchester employer: Aj Bell
AJ Bell is an exceptional employer, recognised as one of the UK’s Best 100 Companies to Work For for six consecutive years. With a supportive and collaborative culture, employees benefit from generous holiday allowances, a robust pension scheme, and tailored learning opportunities, all while enjoying a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance. Located in a dynamic environment, AJ Bell empowers its team members to thrive in their careers, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in the financial services sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Data Transformation in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those already working at AJ Bell. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info on the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by understanding the company’s data strategy. Dive into their recent projects and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just a fit, but the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led transformation initiatives in the past. Make it relatable and impactful—this is your chance to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Data Transformation in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in data transformation and leadership. We want to see how your skills align with our needs, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects!
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to lead complex programmes. Use metrics where possible to illustrate the impact of your work – we love numbers!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, especially when it comes to your experience and how it relates to the role. Avoid jargon unless it’s absolutely necessary!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Aj Bell
✨Know Your Data Transformation Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of data transformation. Understand the key components like data governance, analytics, and reporting ecosystems. Be ready to discuss how you’ve led similar initiatives in the past and how they align with the company's goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership in a complex environment. Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading cross-functional teams and managing multiple workstreams. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Align with Their Vision
Familiarise yourself with AJ Bell’s mission and values. During the interview, express how your vision for data transformation aligns with their goals. Discuss how you can drive a data-led culture and improve decision-making across the organisation.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement Scenarios
Expect questions about stakeholder management and change leadership. Think of scenarios where you successfully navigated challenges between different teams. Be ready to explain how you would translate complex data strategies into clear updates for executives.
