At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead data transformation to improve lives and services in Brent.
- Company: Brent Council, a diverse and ambitious local authority.
- Benefits: Generous leave, pension scheme, flexible working, and health support.
- Other info: Join a supportive team committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact using data to drive positive change in the community.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in data and analytics, with a passion for public service.
Contract: Permanent
Civic centre and other locations from time to time.
Shape the future of one of London’s most ambitious boroughs through the power of data. Brent is one of the most diverse boroughs in the country, with communities, ideas and experiences from across the world helping to shape who we are. Working here means joining a council that is focused on fairness, open to new thinking and committed to improving life for local people. For people who care about public service and want their work to matter, Brent offers the chance to make a meaningful difference.
About the role
At Brent Council, we believe data is more than numbers - it is the key to improving lives, reducing inequalities and creating better services for our residents, communities and businesses. We are looking for an exceptional Head of Data, Analytics and Insights to lead our data transformation journey and help us unlock the full potential of data-driven decision making across the council.
Why this role matters
Every day, local authorities make decisions that affect people's lives - from housing and social care to community safety, digital services and economic growth. As our Head of Data, Analytics and Insights, you will ensure that those decisions are informed by robust evidence, deep insight and innovative analytics. You will help Brent become a truly data-driven organisation, where information is used ethically, intelligently and creatively to deliver better outcomes for our communities. You will be the council's senior leader for data and insight, working with elected members, senior leaders and service teams to turn complex information into clear action.
This role offers you the chance to:
- Lead the development and delivery of Brent's Data, Analytics and Insights Strategy.
- Shape how data influences major policy decisions, service transformation and innovation programmes.
- Drive the use of advanced analytics, predictive modelling and responsible AI to improve services.
- Lead investment in modern data platforms, infrastructure and cloud-based technologies.
- Manage and develop a highly skilled multidisciplinary team covering business intelligence, analytics, data science, GIS, data platforms and insight functions.
- Represent Brent at regional and national forums, helping shape the future of data and analytics across local government.
What you'll be doing
You'll sit within our Service Reform and Strategy directorate, reporting to the Chief Digital and Innovation Officer, and play a key role in Brent's wider corporate leadership team. Oversee the council's Data Lake and future data architecture. Build strong partnerships across Brent and with external organisations to unlock the value of shared intelligence.
About you
We're looking for a passionate and visionary leader who can combine data operations leadership with insights that can transform public services. Significant senior leadership experience in data, analytics and insight. Strong experience leading specialist analytical and data science teams. Deep understanding of data governance, information management and data protection. A passion for using data ethically to improve outcomes and reduce inequality. Experience within local government or another public service environment would be advantageous, as would knowledge of advanced analytics, predictive modelling, responsible AI and modern cloud-based data architectures.
At Brent, you’ll benefit from:
- 27 days’ annual leave, rising with length of service, plus bank holidays.
- Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions.
- Hybrid and flexible working options for most roles.
- Supportive family-friendly policies, including carers’ leave, paternity leave and compassionate leave for eligible employees.
- Health and wellbeing support, including eye test support and a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- Financial wellbeing support, including education sessions, childcare deposit loans, and season ticket loans.
- Travel support, including affordable parking nearby, a Cycle to Work scheme, and onsite facilities.
- Learning and development opportunities to support your career.
- Access to My Brent Rewards with exclusive discounts on shopping, travel, leisure and entertainment.
This is a key part of the selection process, and applications without a supporting statement may not be considered. You may also upload a CV to support your application, but it cannot replace the supporting statement. Brent Council values the diversity of its community and aims to have a workforce that reflects the people we serve. We welcome all applications from all sections of the community and encourage applicants to complete the diversity survey section of the application. We expect all employees to demonstrate a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and to promote inclusive, non-discriminatory practices in their work.
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. This includes people with hidden disabilities, long term health conditions, diagnosis, and mental health conditions. Brent has a positive approach to flexible working.
Head of Social Intelligence: Data & Analytics. in Moffat employer: Brent Council
Brent Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and culturally diverse environment for Educational Psychologists. With generous benefits such as up to 33 days of annual leave, excellent pension contributions, and the flexibility of hybrid working, employees are encouraged to grow professionally while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in Greater London.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Social Intelligence: Data & Analytics. in Moffat
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Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Projects:In the world of data science, your projects can speak volumes about your skills. Make sure to showcase a few key projects in your CV or portfolio, especially those that highlight your ability to work with data sets, build models, or use relevant tools like Python, R, or SQL. Don’t forget to include links to any GitHub repositories if applicable!
Quantify Your Achievements:Employers love numbers! When drafting your CV, highlight your achievements with quantifiable results. For instance, mention how your data analysis led to a certain percentage increase in efficiency or revenue at a previous job or project. These details can really make your application pop!
Craft a Tailored Cover Letter:For a full-time role at Brent Council, your cover letter should reflect your passion for data science and your excitement about the specific projects or values of the company. Dive into why you’re a good fit, how your skills align with their needs, and any unique perspectives you can bring to the team.
Stand Out with Relevant Courses and Certifications:Although experience talks, relevant courses or certifications can be your ticket to impressing hiring managers at Brent Council. Mention any standout courses you've completed that equipped you with essential skills, such as machine learning certifications or data visualisation courses. This shows your commitment to continuously developing your skills in the field!
How to prepare for a job interview at Brent Council
✨Brush Up on Your Statistics
For a data science role, we need to seriously sharpen our statistics skills. Get ready to tackle technical questions on probability distributions, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis. These are often the bread and butter of data science interviews, so don't just skim over them!
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Prepare a killer portfolio showcasing your data science projects. We should include details about the datasets used, the tools and techniques applied, and the impact of your findings. If we can walk them through a particularly challenging project or a cool visualisation that had real-world implications, it’ll really make us stand out!
✨Get Comfortable with Python and R
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✨Prepare for Case Studies
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