Head of Data Operations and Governance
Department: COO (Chief Operating Office)
Salary: £90,000 - £98,000 per annum plus benefits
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: 7 July 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.
Role Overview
In this newly created role, you will lead the organisation‑wide data capability, building a vision on how we use data as a trusted, high‑quality asset. You will spearhead improvements in data quality across critical datasets, while 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.
Main Responsibilities
- Lead the development and implementation of a data quality framework across critical datasets to ensure data is accurate, consistent, and fit for purpose across all priority operational and analytical use cases.
- Define and govern enterprise data standards and integration guardrails to ensure consistency and scalability across the data and technology ecosystem, including MarTech platforms enabling audience engagement.
- 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 to ensure clear accountability for the quality, integrity, and compliant management of data assets.
- Develop and maintain a Business Information Model (BIM) that defines core data entities, their relationships, and agreed definitions, providing the semantic foundation for data discovery and catalogue metadata.
- Own data discovery and data observability capabilities (excluding data engineering pipeline build), ensuring data assets are visible, understood, monitored for quality and health, findable and reusable across the organisation.
- Ensure data protection requirements are built into data systems, processes, and projects from the outset, working in close partnership with the Data Privacy team to embed privacy‑by‑design principles.
- Design and build the team structure, roles, and operating model within Data Operations and Governance to create a high‑performing function, whilst providing clear direction and leadership.
Qualifications & Skills
- Significant experience leading data governance, data quality, or data operations functions in a complex organisation.
- Relevant experience designing and implementing data quality frameworks, data catalogues, or master data management programmes at scale.
- Experience establishing data ownership and stewardship models, including engaging senior stakeholders to take on accountability for data assets.
- Strong working knowledge of UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, and the practical application of privacy‑by‑design principles.
- Experience managing and developing multidisciplinary data teams, including optimising organisational design to meet evolving organisational needs.
- Ability to translate complex data governance concepts into accessible language and practical action for non‑specialist audiences and executive stakeholders.
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to diagnose root causes of data quality issues and design sustainable remediation approaches, working with others across the organisation.
- Collaborative working style with the ability to influence both technical and non‑technical stakeholders without direct authority across a large, mission‑driven organisation.
Benefits
In return, we make sure you are supported by a generous benefits package, including a substantial retirement plan and a generous and flexible leave allowance, discounts on travel, technology, and gym membership, and additional benefits.
Our culture encourages a flexible working environment, allowing you to balance professional and personal commitments while contributing to impactful work.
