Head of Data Operations

Department: COO (Chief Operating Office)

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full-time (we’re happy to discuss flexible working arrangements)

Location: Stratford, London Office-based with high flexibility (typically 2 days per week in the office)

Closing date: 5 August 2026 at 23:59

Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Data Operations to join us. In this newly created role, you'll lead the Cancer Research UK org-wide data operations capability, building a vision on how we use data as a trusted, high-quality asset that enables us to beat cancer faster. You'll spearhead improvements in data quality across critical datasets, whilst embedding clear data ownership and stewardship, making data more accessible, findable and reusable to support better decision-making and innovation. This will enable us to drive value across the organisation through improved performance, operational effectiveness and audience‑centric customer journeys.

This is a pivotal role at an exciting point in our data journey. As our ambition grows, so does our reliance on trusted, high-quality data to guide decisions, deepen relationships with our supporters, and speed up the pace of research. You'll shape how the whole organisation understands, values, and cares for its data, setting foundations that will serve CRUK for years to come.

Above all, this is a change and transformation role. Our teams are empowered and close to the audiences they serve, so you'll lead through influence, insight, and strong relationships rather than mandate. You'll be a persuasive advocate for the value of data. You'll make the case for ownership, stewardship, and good data management by tying each to the strategic outcomes colleagues care about most. You'll build belief, create momentum, and turn better ways of working into lasting habits across the organisation.

Main Responsibilities:

• Lead the organisation-wide shift to treating data as a trusted, strategic asset which is critical to achieving our business goals.
• Lead the development and implementation of a data quality framework across CRUK's critical datasets to ensure data is accurate, consistent, and fit for purpose.
• Define and govern enterprise data standards and integration guardrails to ensure consistency and scalability across CRUK's data and technology ecosystem.
• Drive adoption of automation and AI-enabled approaches to proactively detect, diagnose, and resolve data quality issues at scale.
• Establish and embed a data ownership and stewardship model across the organisation.
• Develop and maintain a Business Information Model (BIM) that defines CRUK's core data entities.
• Own data discovery and data observability capabilities, ensuring CRUK's data assets are visible and monitored for quality.
• Ensure data protection requirements are built into data systems, processes, and projects from the outset.
• Design and build the team structure, roles, and operating model within Data Operations and Governance.

Skills Required:

• Proven success leading data or business change in an empowered, federated organisation.
• Significant experience leading data governance, data quality, or data operations functions.
• Relevant experience designing and implementing data quality frameworks.
• Experience establishing data ownership and stewardship models.
• Strong working knowledge of UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
• Experience managing and developing multidisciplinary data teams.
• Ability to translate complex data governance concepts into accessible language.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Collaborative working style with the ability to influence stakeholders.

What Will I Gain?

Each and every one of our employees contributes to our progress and is supporting our work to beat cancer. In return, we make sure you are supported by a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools, policies and processes to enable you to do your job well. Our benefits package includes a substantial retirement plan, a generous and flexible leave allowance, discounts on anything from travel to technology, gym membership, and much more. We don’t forget people have lives outside of work too and so we actively encourage a flexible working culture.

Our work – from funding cutting-edge research to developing public policy – will change the world. It’s exciting to be part of our team.

We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won’t be able to view them until we invite you for an interview.