At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the University’s data strategy and establish the Oxford Data Office from the ground up.
- Company: Join the world’s leading university, renowned for innovation and excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy 38 days of annual leave, generous family leave, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Unique opportunity to influence senior leaders and build a new capability.
- Why this job: Shape the future of data at a prestigious institution and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in data governance, analytics, and leading multidisciplinary teams.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Location: Dartington House, Oxford, OX1 2JD
Salary: Competitive salary benchmarked externally
Contract: Full time, Permanent
Are you an experienced and visionary Chief Data Officer ready to shape the future of data at one of the world’s leading universities? This is a rare opportunity to establish and lead the Oxford Data Office within Digital and Information Services, creating the foundations for data to become a trusted, connected, accessible, and high-value institutional resource that supports evidence-based decision-making across research, teaching, and operations.
About Us
Spanning the historic streets of the “city of dreaming spires”, the University of Oxford has been ranked the world’s leading university for ten consecutive years. A place where centuries of tradition meet world-changing innovation, we offer you the chance to shape the future while working in an inspiring environment that promotes excellence. Here, you’ll contribute to an organisation which delivers ground-breaking research that tackles global challenges - from advancing sustainability to pioneering healthcare solutions - and join a diverse, inclusive community that champions your wellbeing, development, and aspirations. Apply now to become part of our extraordinary legacy.
The Oxford Data Office is being established to provide strategic leadership for how data is governed, connected, understood, and applied across the University. This post will play the central role in setting up that capability, defining its direction, and building its institutional impact from the ground up. The role sits within Digital and Information Services, a division that enables teaching, research, administration, and collaboration through digital services, infrastructure, governance, and transformation.
What We Offer
- 38 days of annual leave (inclusive of public holidays) to support your wellbeing, with the option to purchase up to 10 extra days and additional leave after long service.
- One of the most generous family leave schemes in UK higher education, offering up to 26 weeks of full-pay maternity and adoption leave, plus 12 weeks of full-pay paternity/partner leave.
- A commitment to hybrid and flexible working to suit your lifestyle.
- Affordable and sustainable commuting options, including a cycle loan scheme, discounted bus travel, and season ticket loans.
- Access to a vibrant community through our social, cultural, and sports clubs.
About the Role
This is a pivotal senior leadership role within Digital and Information Services, reporting to the Chief Digital and Information Officer. As Chief Data Officer, you will lead the University’s data strategy, governance, enterprise data architecture, and analytics agenda, while also establishing the Oxford Data Office as a new institutional capability. You will help modernise how data is managed and used across Oxford, ensuring it is treated as a strategic asset that is reliable, connected, accessible, secure, and ethically used. You will provide strategic direction for data architecture, governance, quality, ownership, compliance, analytics, and reporting, working across divisions, departments, and professional services. This is a role with institution-wide reach and influence, requiring close collaboration with senior leaders and stakeholders to establish standards, design an effective operating model, build capability, and align data initiatives with Oxford’s academic, operational, and digital transformation priorities. You will also lead and develop a small senior team, including the Head of Data Governance and Architecture and the Data Enablement Lead, while fostering a broader culture of data literacy, stewardship, responsible data use, and evidence-based decision-making across the University.
About You
You will bring substantial experience of leading high-performing multidisciplinary teams across data, governance, architecture, analytics, or related functions, with a strong focus on clarity, development, delivery, and impact. You will have a strong track record of shaping and embedding enterprise-wide data strategy, governance frameworks, and quality management practices within complex organisations. You will be an accomplished strategic thinker, able to develop credible business cases, prioritise investment, and manage resources effectively in a complex and devolved environment. You will have a strong understanding of modern data platforms, enterprise data architecture, and the practical steps needed to integrate data across complex systems and organisational boundaries. You will be able to communicate complex data concepts with clarity and confidence, translating technical issues into institutional value and building strong relationships with senior technical and non-technical stakeholders across a diverse institution. You will be confident managing resources, budgets, and large-scale programmes of work, balancing strategic ambition with pragmatic delivery in a complex environment. This is a unique opportunity to shape the University’s data future at a formative stage: building a new capability, influencing at senior levels, and creating lasting foundations for how Oxford uses data to support excellence in teaching, research, and professional services.
Sponsorship and Right to Work
This role meets the criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa. The University will meet the cost of the Skilled Worker visa and NHS surcharge for applicants who require sponsorship.
Chief Data Officer employer: Corehr
The University of Oxford is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead the Oxford Data Office and shape the future of data at one of the world's leading institutions. With a commitment to employee wellbeing, generous leave policies, and a vibrant community, you will thrive in a culture that champions innovation and inclusivity while contributing to groundbreaking research that addresses global challenges. Join us in an inspiring environment where your expertise will have a lasting impact on teaching, research, and operations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Data Officer
✨Get Involved in Data Science Meetups
Tap into local data science meetups or workshops to connect with fellow enthusiasts and professionals. These events are goldmines for networking, and sometimes even lead directly to job openings at companies like Corehr!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Start building a public portfolio showcasing your data science projects on platforms like GitHub or personal websites. Highlight unique analyses or models you've developed. This not only demonstrates your skills but also gets your name out there for roles like Chief Data Officer at Corehr.
✨Leverage Professional Networks
Join professional bodies related to data science, like the Data Science Society or similar organisations. Getting involved can lead to mentorship opportunities and insider knowledge about full-time positions at companies like Corehr.
✨Apply Directly through Our Website
When you find a suitable opening like Chief Data Officer at Corehr, make sure to apply directly through our website. It gives you an edge and shows you're keen to join our team. Plus, who doesn’t love a direct application? It’s easier than navigating through job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Data Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Projects:In the world of data science, your projects can speak volumes about your skills. Make sure to showcase a few key projects in your CV or portfolio, especially those that highlight your ability to work with data sets, build models, or use relevant tools like Python, R, or SQL. Don’t forget to include links to any GitHub repositories if applicable!
Quantify Your Achievements:Employers love numbers! When drafting your CV, highlight your achievements with quantifiable results. For instance, mention how your data analysis led to a certain percentage increase in efficiency or revenue at a previous job or project. These details can really make your application pop!
Craft a Tailored Cover Letter:For a full-time role at Corehr, your cover letter should reflect your passion for data science and your excitement about the specific projects or values of the company. Dive into why you’re a good fit, how your skills align with their needs, and any unique perspectives you can bring to the team.
Stand Out with Relevant Courses and Certifications:Although experience talks, relevant courses or certifications can be your ticket to impressing hiring managers at Corehr. Mention any standout courses you've completed that equipped you with essential skills, such as machine learning certifications or data visualisation courses. This shows your commitment to continuously developing your skills in the field!
How to prepare for a job interview at Corehr
✨Brush Up on Your Statistics
For a data science role, we need to seriously sharpen our statistics skills. Get ready to tackle technical questions on probability distributions, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis. These are often the bread and butter of data science interviews, so don't just skim over them!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Prepare a killer portfolio showcasing your data science projects. We should include details about the datasets used, the tools and techniques applied, and the impact of your findings. If we can walk them through a particularly challenging project or a cool visualisation that had real-world implications, it’ll really make us stand out!
✨Get Comfortable with Python and R
Most data science positions require us to be proficient in programming languages like Python and R. We should practice common libraries like pandas, NumPy, and scikit-learn, and be ready for live coding exercises or algorithm questions. Showing off our coding chops can really impress the interviewers at Corehr!
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to encounter real-world case studies during the interview. We might be asked how we’d approach a data problem or analyse a dataset to extract insights. It's essential to think out loud and demonstrate our problem-solving process so that the interviewer can see our logical thinking in action.
