Data Business Partner

Halfords operates a hybrid working policy – this position will be based 3 days per week at our support centre in Redditch, West Midlands.

As a Data Business Partner, you'll take near-complete ownership of data provision for a defined area of the business, sitting close enough to your stakeholders to understand their challenges before they've fully articulated them, and bringing the data, AI, and automation solutions to address them. You’ll be the senior data authority for your pillar, embedded in the business, leading a multidisciplinary squad of BI, engineering, science, and analytics colleagues, and accountable end to end for the data outcomes your area delivers. This is a role that demands both technical credibility and executive presence.

You'll need to be comfortable in a senior forum, influencing with confidence and authority, and equally comfortable working across the data team to ensure tools, platforms, and approaches are being used coherently across pillars. You'll develop the data roadmap for your function, manage dependencies, and ensure what you're delivering sequences properly with the wider transformation plan, not waiting to be told what's needed, but identifying it yourself and making the case. If you've come from a product management, strategic technology, or senior data background and you're motivated by real ownership and genuine influence, this is a strong opportunity. The business areas you'll partner with are still developing their understanding of what data can do for them, which means there's significant scope to shape the agenda rather than respond to it.

Key responsibilities

• Act as the data authority for your assigned business pillar, taking end-to-end accountability for the data provision, outcomes, and roadmap within that area.
• Embed yourself within your business area to proactively identify opportunities for data, AI, and automation before stakeholders have articulated the need.
• Lead a multidisciplinary squad of BI, engineering, data science, and analytics colleagues, coordinating delivery and ensuring the right resource is focused on the right priorities.
• Develop and own the data roadmap for your pillar, managing dependencies, sequencing delivery against wider transformation plans, and maintaining a clear view of risk.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, operating with the gravitas and authority to set direction, challenge assumptions, and drive alignment.
• Champion a cross-functional approach across the Data Business Partner team, ensuring consistency in how tools, platforms, and data capabilities are applied across the business.
• Contribute to business cases and investment decisions, clearly articulating the commercial value of data initiatives in language that resonates at exec level.

About you

• Senior stakeholder presence and the confidence to operate as the expert in the room, setting direction rather than waiting for it.
• Strong knowledge of data platforms and the technical landscape, with sufficient knowledge to engage and influence credibly both in architectural discussions and at board level with our Executive team.
• Experience managing at portfolio level, including roadmap development, dependency management, and sequencing delivery within a broader transformation context.
• A track record in a strategic, relationship-led technology role, whether in product management, data, or a senior technology partnering capacity.
• Strong cross-functional instincts, able to work collaboratively across a data team to drive consistency and avoid duplication across pillars.
• Commercially minded, with the ability to translate data capability into tangible business outcomes and make the case for investment clearly and convincingly.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and energised by the opportunity to shape an agenda rather than inherit one.

Benefits

• A fair and competitive salary evaluated against market data, car allowance, annual discretionary bonus scheme, pension, life assurance, 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and enhanced family leave.
• Commitment and dedication to your ongoing personal and professional development.
• Hybrid working with a blend of working in our Support Centre and from home.
• Access to a wealth of employee discounts across the Halfords suite of products and services.
• Resources and ongoing support to enhance your wellbeing at work and active Colleague Networks supporting inclusion initiatives across Halfords.
• We’re an equal opportunities employer and proud to welcome applications from all backgrounds and embrace diversity within our one Halfords Family.