Head of Data Strategy

Location: UK - Hatfield, UK - London, UK - Manchester, UK - Milton Keynes, UK - Nottingham | Job-ID: 213406 | Contract type: Standard | Business Unit: Information Technology

Life on the team

You will oversee the development and implementation of a comprehensive data strategy, encompassing data governance, data management, data quality, and data analytics to ensure high-quality data outcomes, insights leading to action, maximizing data value, and treating data as an asset.

What you’ll do

As Head of Data Strategy, you will be responsible for defining and implementing our Data Strategy, including data governance, management, quality, master data management, and reporting/analytics/outcomes—aligned with our Technology Strategy.

• Own, define, and develop the Data Strategy in collaboration with the Technology Office and other teams, creating a vision for data management, governance, analytics, and data-driven decision-making.
• Develop a 3-year roadmap and enterprise architecture, and identify new services for the service catalogue.
• Work with the Technology Office to ensure Portfolio Management outcomes are met; drive new data-related initiatives aligned with strategic principles, managing these initiatives within the broader portfolio.
• Establish data standards, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance and data security.
• Define and secure agreement on investments, initiatives, and improvements, ensuring delivery within scope, time, and budget, following agreed methodologies and governance. This includes planning, architecture, building, testing, and deployment of solutions, as well as supporting the selection and implementation of supporting technologies.
• Sponsor and oversee the execution of these investments to ensure they deliver expected outcomes and benefits.
• Deliver a cohesive Group Data Model to ensure consistent master data, reference data, metadata, and optimized data pipelines across processes and systems.
• Collaborate with market analysts, vendors, and partners to identify technological opportunities, and provide thought leadership on Data Strategy and related topics.

What you’ll need

• Experience with GIS operating models and frameworks such as ITIL, SAFe, DevSecOps.
• At least 3 years in a strategy definition role.
• Knowledge of data management concepts: data modeling, architecture, integration, data warehouses, lakes, and data science tools.
• Proficiency in SQL, C#, Python, and AI is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of data delivery, data science, data quality, and security practices.

Leadership responsibilities:

• Manage team capabilities, contribute to profit and loss, and develop team members.
• Own relationships with senior stakeholders, translating technical concepts into business language.
• Drive effective communication, coaching, and high standards of ethics and compliance.
• Set priorities, organize work, manage processes, and demonstrate resilience and problem-solving skills.

About us

With over 20,000 employees globally, we lead in digital transformation by advising on IT strategy, implementing technology, and managing infrastructure across 70+ countries, helping organizations innovate and grow through technology.