Data & Analytics Lead in London

About the role: We’re looking for a Data & Analytics Lead to take ownership of our commercial data function. Commercial decisions increasingly depend on trusted, forward-looking data, and the bar on our data function has risen from “report what happened” to “define, predict, and steer.” We hold a high volume of data but need the definitions, governance, and ownership to turn it into insight the executive team trusts. This is a newly created role to close that gap. You’ll be the single owner of our data layer; its definitions, its quality, and the insight drawn from it. You’ll be leading a team of three (two data engineers and one senior analyst) and partnering directly with senior leadership. You’ll build deliberately, in sequence: a governed foundation and single source of truth first, then an exec-ready insight layer, then a credible AI and data strategy on top. You’ll be equally comfortable setting technical direction for engineers and translating data into clear narrative for executives.

What you will do:

• Own metric definitions, the semantic / metric layer, and a living data dictionary across the business, establishing a single source of truth.
• Set and enforce data governance: ownership, quality standards, and definition change control, so the business stops debating “whose number is right.”
• Direct the data engineering team on the pipelines and models that underpin the function.
• Turn data into narrative and forecast, not just dashboards — equipping the exec team with decision-ready insight on pipeline, revenue, retention, and forecasting.
• Own exec-facing reporting and the standards the analyst delivers against.
• Act as the trusted data partner to the VP and the wider leadership team.
• Define where AI and predictive analytics earn their keep (forecasting, scoring, copilots over governed data) and own the roadmap to deliver them.
• Lead, mentor, and grow a team of three; set direction and standards, and create a path for junior talent to develop.
• Sequence delivery deliberately; foundation, then insight, then AI, recognising that AI built on undefined data fails.

Experience we're looking for:

• Minimum of 3 years experience leading a data or analytics function.
• People leadership experience, has managed and developed analysts and/or data engineers.
• Strong analytics-engineering depth; semantic / metric layers, dbt or equivalent, and SQL with the credibility to give technical direction to engineers.
• Experience across this tech stack (or similar): PowerBI, PostgreSQL, OpenMetaData and AWS.
• A track record of defining metrics and building governance and a single source of truth from a messy starting point.
• Exec-grade communication: able to turn analysis into clear narrative and recommendation for a senior audience.
• Ability to produce and present high quality analysis to both technical and business stakeholders.

Nice-haves:

• SaaS, software, or subscription-business exposure (recurring revenue, retention / NRR, usage telemetry).
• Hands-on experience with modern BI and forecasting tooling, and a pragmatic view on applied AI / ML.
• Experience through a hardware-to-software shift or a wider commercial transformation.
• Python automation skills.

Behaviours and traits we're looking for:

• Product-minded: thinks about the why, not just the how.
• A natural curiosity to learn and a 'can do' mentality with a strong preference to suggest solutions rather than just identify problems.
• Dynamic and quick to respond to changes, works well under pressure, and with other teams.
• No Ego: A win for the team and for our customers.

About Disguise: Disguise is the industry-leading platform sitting at the heart of a new era of visual experiences. One powerful integrated system of software, hardware and services to help create the next dimension of real-time spectacle. We partner with the biggest entertainment brands and companies in the world to deliver the A-list of live music events, live TV broadcasts, immersive experiences, installations, theatre, film and TV production, corporate communications and brand product launches. Working with Disney, Snapchat, Netflix, ESPN, the Burj Khalifa, and Adele, Disguise is the number one partner delivering the next dimension of entertainment.

Don’t Disguise your differences. Innovation comes from everyone. We strive to create a workplace that reflects our diverse audience. We celebrate our people for their full authentic selves, and embrace uniqueness. Inclusion and Equity matter at Disguise. We create together and we create everywhere.

Our values: Honest. We are real with ourselves and our clients and share our ideas with openness and transparency. Evolutionary. We innovate using our user’s ever-changing needs so our technology remains ahead-of-the-game. Fearless. We take the best path, not the easiest, and innovate where it’s right, not where it’s simplest. Resilience. We don’t give up until we find the right solution, even if it means going outside our remit. Belong. We create an environment where everyone feels like they belong and is empowered to do their best work.

Our benefits: We have a suite of globally relevant competitive benefits packages as we want to make sure we retain the best talent out there. Our benefits for every perm hire, globally include: Unlimited Paid Time Off - with minimum time you must take set at 20% above statutory. Hybrid working between home and our offices (dependent on role and location). Mental health and wellbeing support - subscription to the Calm app, mental health first-aid buddies, employee assistance programmes. Gig allowance - £400 (or local equivalent) to spend on tickets every year to immerse yourself in our industries. Belonging policies - including (but not limited to) support for Parental, Fertility, Miscarriage, Menopause and Transitioning. Training, coaching & mentoring.