Head of Data in London

The Head of Data leads the Institute’s data, reporting, and analytics function, ensuring our data serves as a trusted asset that turns complex information into actionable insights that drives smarter decisions, deeper customer understanding, and measurable business impact. The Head of Data will drive and deliver CII’s data strategy – shaping how data is collected, managed, and leveraged across the Institute.

Working in partnership with the Data Governance team, Digital Transformation, IT Services, and colleagues across the organisation, they will be responsible for establishing trusted data management foundations, leveraging data tools to enhance access, and protect the integrity of our data; championing a data-driven culture by building analytics capacity and capabilities across CII; and building and mentoring a team of data engineers and analysts.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership & Coordination: Drive and deliver CII’s data strategy and roadmap. Build the data team, ensuring we have the right capabilities to deliver business requirements. Partner with executive leadership to identify opportunities where data can drive business performance, growth and efficiency. Act as a trusted advisor to Executives and Leaders, providing clear, practical advice on the effective use of data.
• Data & Analytics Infrastructure: Closely collaborate with the Director of Digital Transformation to design and implement a scalable modern data infrastructure grounded in native MS technology (MS Fabric, Power Platforms, Power BI). Ensure data quality, reliability, and security is embedded across all systems. Drive best practices in data modelling: Medallion, ETL/ELT processes.
• Analytics & Reporting: Oversee analytics frameworks and dashboards that provide clear, actionable insights to both executive leadership and operational teams. Ensure the production of consistent, accurate, timely Management Information and performance reports that meet internal and external requirements presents data in a clear and accessible way for a range of audiences. Enable teams across CII to make data-informed decisions through self-service analytics & reporting tools. Provide support to Executive and Leaders to analyse data and translate complex findings into clear business insights that enable planning, monitoring, and informed decision-making.
• Building Data Capacity & Literacy: Work with IT and system owners to improve data flows and reporting processes. Champion data literacy across the organisation through targeted upskilling & training programmes and embedding best practices. Foster a collaborative environment where insights are shared, understood, and translated into measurable business impact. Drive continuous improvement in data quality, governance, and compliance with relevant regulations and internal standards.
• Data Governance & Compliance: Work in close alignment with the Data Protection Officer and Data Governance team to ensure that the data strategy, infrastructure, analytics and insights sit within robust policies for data governance, quality, privacy, and compliance (GDPR, CCPA, etc.). Establish a strong, collaborative, and proactive relationship with the Data Protection Officer and Data Governance Team ensuring their involvement in all data-related initiatives from the outset, balancing data innovation with legal and ethical compliance. Promote the consistent implementation of data policies and best practice across the Institute.
• Team Leadership & Culture: Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing data team. Foster a data-driven culture throughout the Institute. Promote collaboration between data, governance, finance, delivery, operations, and executive teams.

Key Requirements:

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively across functions and influence stakeholders at different levels.
• Demonstrated success in developing data strategies that enhance data management, data capability & literacy, analytics, organisational planning, and performance reporting.
• Proven ability to lead cultural change and promote data literacy within a non-technical audience.
• Proven experience optimising cloud-based data platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure).
• Proven experience in leading/mentoring high-performing data teams.
• Deep understanding of data architecture, engineering, and analytics practices.
• Strong command of SQL, Python, and modern data tooling (e.g., Snowflake, dbt, Airflow, Databricks, Looker, Power BI).
• Degree or equivalent professional experience in relevant field (i.e. Computer Science, Engineering, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related field).

Interview process: We understand that taking time to prepare for and to attend interviews is a big commitment and want the process to be as transparent as possible. You can expect the following process from us: A short, introductory phone call from our Talent Acquisition Advisor. A formal and technical interview with the hiring manager via Teams.

Application deadline: We will review applications on a rolling basis and the position will close once we have secured a shortlist.

Next steps: If you would like to explore this opportunity with us for the next step in your career, we look forward to receiving your application through the Apply feature at the top of this advert. If you have any queries or you would like to see the full JD, please get in touch on ukjobs@cii.co.uk.

We are an inclusive employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. We are committed to ensuring all candidates have equal access and opportunity, in line with the Equality Act 2010.

Please note: At the CII, we work with a carefully selected Preferred Supplier List (PSL) for recruitment. We do not accept speculative CVs and kindly request that agency recruiters do not contact our managers directly, to ensure a consistent and properly coordinated recruitment process. If you are interested in working with us in the future, please contact ukjobs@cii.co.uk. We review our PSL at set intervals and are happy to retain details for consideration when opportunities arise. Agencies who do not follow this process will be excluded from any future opportunities to work with us, including PSL reviews.

The Institute: The overarching purpose of the Chartered Insurance Institute (‘the Institute’) is to educate and support our members to deliver services to the highest professional standards and to advocate for the public good. By doing this the Institute builds and maintains public trust in the insurance, financial planning, and mortgage advice professions. Our vision is that CII and PFS professionals build a world which delivers ever greater financial resilience for individuals and societies more broadly.

The Benefits:

• Healthcare cash plan
• Modern office located in 30 Old Broad St (Tower 42 Estate)
• Life assurance