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- Tasks: Lead data strategy and insights to enhance decision-making and performance.
- Company: Join Blue Cross, a charity dedicated to improving pet welfare.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holiday, wellbeing support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid working with a supportive team and strong career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a meaningful role while shaping data-driven culture.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in data leadership and transformation in complex environments.
The predicted salary is between 52200 - 56400 £ per year.
Contract: 12 months fixed term contract, maternity cover, full time
Salary: £52,200 – £56,400 per annum
Location: Burford, Oxfordshire, with hybrid working, minimum two days per week in the office
Closing date: Friday 22 May 2026
Interview date: 1, 4 or 5 June 2026
At Blue Cross, data plays a critical role in how we deliver services for pets and the people who care for them. We are looking for a Head of Data and Insights to provide senior leadership across our data and insight capability, ensuring data is used as a strategic asset to inform decision making, improve performance, and strengthen our impact as a charity.
A key focus during this 12-month period will be supporting critical transformation activity across the organisation, including the Central Platform project and the migration of data from the outgoing Rehoming and Fostering application into Microsoft Dynamics 365, alongside the continued development of our wider data and insights capability.
More about the role
As Head of Data and Insights, you will shape and deliver our data strategy, driving improvements in how we capture, manage, and use data across the organisation. You will lead the development of high quality insight and reporting that supports both strategic and operational decision making, while strengthening data governance, quality, and compliance. A key focus during this period will be providing direction and support to the Central Platform project, ensuring the safe, accurate, and effective migration of data into Microsoft Dynamics 365. You will also oversee the rebuilding of all reporting capability required by the Rehoming and Fostering teams within the new system, ensuring continuity of insight and decision making throughout the transition. Alongside this, you will continue to lead the wider Data and Insights function, ensuring data is embedded as a trusted organisational asset. You will strengthen our approach to analytics, insight, and data maturity, while promoting a data driven culture across Blue Cross.
As a senior leader within the Information Services team, you will lead and develop a high performing team, contribute to wider technology and organisational strategy, and build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, including the Executive Team and Trustees.
About you
You are an experienced data leader with strong delivery capability in complex transformation environments. You are confident operating at both strategic and operational levels, able to balance long term data strategy with hands on delivery support in critical programmes. You bring experience of leading data migration, reporting transformation, or large scale system change, ideally within complex organisations with multiple stakeholders and legacy systems. You are confident influencing senior leaders, providing clear direction, and ensuring delivery remains focused on organisational priorities. You are collaborative, pragmatic, and solutions focused, with the ability to bring clarity to complex data and system landscapes and translate them into actionable outcomes.
Essential Qualifications, Skills, and Experience
- Significant experience in a senior data, insight, or analytics leadership role
- Strong expertise across data disciplines, including data governance, architecture, analytics, and insight generation
- Proven experience of developing and delivering data strategies that drive measurable organisational impact
- Experience of leading, managing, and developing high performing teams
- Demonstrable experience of influencing senior stakeholders and enabling evidence led decision making
- Strong analytical capability, with experience of working with complex datasets to generate actionable insight
- Experience working within complex organisations with multiple systems and diverse data sources
- Sound understanding of data protection, information governance, and relevant legislation, including GDPR and PECR
- The ability to demonstrate, understand and apply our Blue Cross values.
Desirable qualifications, skills, and experience
- Experience working within a not for profit or charitable organisation
- Experience of business intelligence and data visualisation tools, such as Power BI
- Experience of working with cloud-based data platforms, such as Azure
- Experience of implementing advanced analytics approaches, including predictive modelling or Artificial Intelligence
- Experience of building organisational data capability through training or communities of practice
How to apply
Click the apply button and complete the online application process before the closing date.
Assessment process
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a face-to-face interview which will include a presentation task provided in advance, followed by a Q&A session. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of suitable applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Blue Cross benefits
Our people are the most important part of delivering our purpose. If it were not for their amazing efforts and commitment, we would not be able to make the difference that we do today. In return, Blue Cross wants to ensure we provide you with the best working environment we can. We want you to be happy working for us and will do everything we can to make sure you are.
Our generous benefits package includes:
- Full time equivalent of 38 days holiday rising to 43 with service (including Bank Holidays)
- Programmes for physical and mental wellbeing support
- Free access to GP via MetLife- 24/7 GP services, private prescriptions and more for you and your family
- Health cash plan
- Unlimited access to an employee assistance programme
- Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution
- Professional fees paid with Continuing Professional Development and personal development support.
- Life assurance
- 20% discount on Pet Plan pet insurance
- Enhanced family friendly policies
- Recognition scheme
- Annual volunteer days
- Charity worker discounts across a variety of retailers
To read more about the benefits Blue Cross has to offer, please visit the 'why work for us' page on our website.
Head of Data and Insights employer: Blue Cross
Contact Detail:
Blue Cross Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Data and Insights
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Blue Cross, their mission, and how they use data to make a difference. This will help you tailor your conversations during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in their work.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for the interview process. It’s a great way to get insider info and make a good impression.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how your experience aligns with the role of Head of Data and Insights. Be ready to discuss specific examples of your leadership in data strategy and transformation projects.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to showcase your soft skills! Being collaborative and solutions-focused is key for this role. During the interview, share stories that highlight your ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead high-performing teams.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Data and Insights
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in data leadership and transformation. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Blue Cross!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you've driven measurable impact in previous roles. We love seeing numbers and results that demonstrate your success!
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We value collaboration and a solutions-focused mindset, so don’t hesitate to share your unique approach to challenges.
Apply Early!: We might close the application process early if we get a lot of great candidates, so don’t wait until the last minute. Head over to our website and submit your application as soon as you can!
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Cross
✨Know Your Data Inside Out
As a candidate for the Head of Data and Insights, you need to be well-versed in data governance, architecture, and analytics. Brush up on your knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics 365 and be ready to discuss how you've successfully led data migrations or transformations in the past.
✨Prepare for the Presentation Task
Since the interview includes a presentation task, make sure you understand the requirements thoroughly. Create a clear, engaging presentation that showcases your strategic thinking and ability to translate complex data into actionable insights. Practice delivering it confidently!
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Highlight your experience in leading high-performing teams and influencing senior stakeholders. Be prepared with examples of how you've driven measurable impact through data strategies and how you foster a data-driven culture within an organisation.
✨Understand Blue Cross Values
Familiarise yourself with the values of Blue Cross and be ready to demonstrate how your personal values align with theirs. This will show your commitment to their mission and your understanding of the charity sector, which is crucial for this role.