Head of Governance & Architecture

Engagement Type: Fixed-term contract, Outside IR35

Reports To: Chief Technology Officer

About the Role

The business has built strong foundations for enterprise data: the function structure, a growing canonical data model, and a live platform estate. This engagement turns that design work into operating reality, establishing enterprise data as a core, permanently owned capability underpinning AI, analytics, billing, reporting and decision‑making.

Key Responsibilities

• A scalable, governed function – Establish accountable ownership of data with real authority. Make the operating model scalable enough to absorb new domains, systems and acquisitions. Leave the function able to evidence control on demand.
• Governance – Design and launch the governance framework: ownership, stewardship, lineage, quality standards and enforcing controls. Build the evidence base so the function can demonstrate control rather than assert it. Tie data quality to commercial outcomes such as billing accuracy and revenue assurance. Prove adoption in priority areas with named, bought in owners and delivered training.
• Architecture – Extend the canonical data model to remaining priority domains. Deepen mastering and target‑state definitions where gaps remain. Ensure the architecture scales through continued M&A integration. Capture the outgoing architecture lead's knowledge before departure. Provide senior direction on build‑out work, transitioning it to the incoming permanent lead. Produce a prioritised roadmap sequenced by business benefit.
• Platform FinOps – Establish the FinOps model for in‑life platform decisions, managing cost against value. For the core analytics platform, deliver this jointly with the team who own and operate it.
• Working with the Data Analytics team – Consult throughout the engagement via the Technical Design Authority's existing gates. Ensure governance and architecture support, rather than obstruct, the team as primary platform users.
• Investment case – Cost and justify the build‑out and permanent run cost, including the permanent operating model and run team, so the case funds the destination, not just the build.
• Recruitment and handover – Define and run recruitment for two permanent leadership roles, including onboarding. Structure handover so permanent leadership can operate independently by the end of the engagement. Deliver documented architecture and governance, a live evidence base, and a written statement of what is complete versus what must be maintained.

Deliverables

• A scalable, governed enterprise data function established as a permanent capability.
• A prioritised roadmap to fortify existing structures.
• A live governance framework with a demonstrable evidence base.
• Extended canonical model and operationalised definitions.
• A platform FinOps model.
• A defined working model with the Data Analytics team.
• A costed investment case.
• Two permanent leadership roles recruited and onboarded.
• A structured handover within the fixed term.

Out of Scope

• Function design, foundational architecture and platform selection, all already in place.
• Ongoing operation of the function and standing board representation, which sit with permanent leadership once appointed.

Candidate Profile

• Proven track record designing and launching enterprise data governance frameworks in a large, complex organisation.
• Strong enterprise data architecture background, ideally including canonical or mastering data models and lakehouse or medallion architectures.
• Experience building investment cases and securing funding for permanent data capabilities.
• Comfortable working through an existing design authority and governance structure.
• Experience defining and hiring into permanent leadership roles, with a clear focus on structured, time‑bound handover.
• Strong stakeholder management skills at CTO level.
• Background in regulated, billing‑sensitive or M&A‑active environments is an advantage.