Head of Data Operations and Governance in London

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.

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. We are professionals with purpose, beating cancer every day. But we need to go much further and much faster. That’s why we’re looking for someone talented, someone determined, someone like you. We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Data Operations and Governance to join us. In this newly created role, you’ll lead the Cancer Research UK org-wide data capability, building a vision on how we use data as a trusted, high-quality asset. 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.

In a supportive working environment, you’ll discover something new every day, whether it’s a new connection, a new method of engagement or a talent you never knew you had. You’ll also be surrounded by people who are as dedicated to beating cancer as you are.

What will be some of the main responsibilities?

• 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 across all priority operational and analytical use cases.
• Define and govern enterprise data standards and integration guardrails to ensure consistency and scalability across CRUK’s 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 CRUK’s 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 CRUK’s 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.

What skills are we looking for?

• 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.

What will I gain?

Each and every one of our employees contributes to our progress and is supporting our work to beat cancer. We think that’s impressive. 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.

How do I apply?

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. Instead, we ask you to complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly and objectively. For more information on this career opportunity please visit our website or contact us at more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented. We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen. Please contact as soon as possible. Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.