Data Manager

Arena Racing Company ("ARC") is the largest racecourse operator in the UK with its racecourses hosting racing on over 300 days a year across a mix of flat, jump and all-weather tracks with fixtures including some of the biggest days in the racing calendar. ARC also operates a hotel at Wolverhampton, a hotel, spa resort and golf course at Lingfield Park, golf courses in Southwell and Newcastle and The Border Minstrel public house at Newcastle in the grounds of Gosforth Park.

Our versatile venues are also host to non-raceday activities such as weddings, exhibitions and conferences. With flexible spaces and excellent facilities we can accommodate events of any size and type.

About the role

The Data Manager will lead the development of ARC’s Group-wide data capability. The immediate priority is to establish the architecture, engineering and governance foundations that make data from Racing, Media, Marketing, Finance, Commercial and other teams accessible, reliable and useful.

Based in our London office and reporting to the Head of Financial Planning and Analysis, the role will lead a small team of 2–3 data professionals. It combines hands‑on delivery with a practical data roadmap, team leadership and close work with business and IT stakeholders. The successful candidate will be willing to spend the short to medium term improving the underlying data environment, from integrations and pipelines to models, quality and documentation.

Once these foundations are in place, ARC expects to develop more advanced analytics and potentially data science use cases. Experience in forecasting, machine learning or AI would be welcome, but is not essential for success in the initial phase of the role.

Key responsibilities

Data architecture and engineering

• Assess existing systems, data sources, flows and gaps, then set a realistic roadmap for improving the Group’s data environment.
• Design and develop scalable data architecture, including appropriate data models, shared definitions and analytical datasets.
• Build and maintain dependable data pipelines and integrations that bring together data from different parts of the business.
• Work with IT and technology teams on the platforms, infrastructure and tools needed to support secure, sustainable data delivery.
• Establish data quality checks, documentation, ownership and governance standards so that colleagues can trust and reuse data.
• Improve the accessibility, consistency and timeliness of data, with clear processes for monitoring and resolving issues.

Reporting and business insight

• Develop clear dashboards, reporting and visualisations that help teams understand performance and make informed decisions.
• Work with Racing, Media, Marketing, Finance and Commercial stakeholders to define useful measures and prioritise reporting needs.
• Translate complex data into practical insight and recommendations for senior leaders and non‑technical colleagues.

Leadership and stakeholder management

• Lead, mentor and set priorities for a small data team, establishing effective standards and ways of working.
• Own and communicate the Group’s data roadmap, sequencing foundational work and business requests according to value and readiness.
• Build trusted relationships across the Group, explain technical choices clearly and encourage effective use of data.

Future analytical opportunities

• As the data environment matures, identify where forecasting, advanced analytics or data science could add measurable business value.
• Support appropriate experimentation with statistical modelling, machine learning or AI when the data and business case are ready.

Person Specification

• Experience in a data management, data engineering, data architecture, analytics engineering or BI leadership role, with a track record of improving how data is collected, organised and used.
• Hands‑on experience designing data pipelines, integrations, data models and analytical datasets, with strong SQL skills.
• Sound understanding of modern data platforms, data warehouses or cloud data environments, and the judgement to select proportionate solutions.
• Practical experience improving data quality, governance, security and documentation.
• Ability to develop useful reporting and visualisation, using tools such as Power BI, Tableau or equivalent.
• Experience leading or mentoring a small team and working with senior business and technology stakeholders.
• Commercial judgement, clear communication and the ability to turn ambiguous requirements into deliverable priorities.
• A pragmatic, hands‑on approach and willingness to establish the data foundations before pursuing advanced data science work.
• Desirable: experience with Python or R, forecasting, statistical modelling, machine learning or AI; an interest in racing, media, events or other consumer‑facing businesses.

At ARC, we believe that a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace makes us a more relevant, more competitive, and more resilient company. We welcome people from all backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and experiences.We are an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or age. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

If you have a disability that requires reasonable adjustments, please let us know; we will ensure that individuals with additional needs are provided reasonable adjustments to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions.

We understand the value that diversity brings to our business and we are striving to create a working environment that is inclusive, psychologically and physically safe and ensures everyone can be heard and valued for their contributions. We are committed to making a consistent, top‑down effort to be role models on what diversity, inclusion and belonging means in society.

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