At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead data initiatives to drive meaningful change for vulnerable communities.
- Company: Join Knowsley Council, an award-winning local authority committed to fair employment.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, competitive salary, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Shape strategic decisions and improve services for those in need.
- Qualifications: Experience in data leadership and strong partnership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 42000 £ per year.
We are looking for driven and passionate people to work with us to deliver real benefits for our residents and businesses and become part of the Knowsley Journey.
Location: Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Municipal Buildings, Hybrid Working
Contract: Temporary
Working Pattern: Full Time
Hours: 36 hours per week. Consideration will be given for part time working.
DBS Check: Yes
Closing Date: 10/08/2026 at 23:59
Reference: CVP 0660
Fixed term post until 31 March 2029
Knowsley Council is an award-winning Local Authority, named Local Authority of the Year in the Municipal Journal Awards 2024. We are an Accredited employer under the Liverpool City Region Fair Employment Charter, demonstrating that we are committed to the principle of fair employment and we are dedicated to providing a healthy, fair, inclusive and just workplace.
Use Data to Drive Meaningful Change
Knowsley's Changing Futures programme is transforming the way services work together to support people experiencing multiple disadvantage, including homelessness, mental ill-health, substance misuse, domestic abuse and contact with the criminal justice system.
We are seeking an ambitious and innovative Data Lead to develop and lead a multi-agency data and intelligence function that helps drive better outcomes for residents and supports lasting system change. This is a unique opportunity to work across organisational boundaries, bringing together data, insight, evaluation and lived experience to help shape strategic decision-making and improve services for some of the borough's most vulnerable people.
About the Role
Reporting to the Strategic Lead for Changing Futures, you will provide leadership and expertise in the development of intelligence, evaluation and performance frameworks that support both local delivery and national programme requirements.
- Lead the development and implementation of a multi-agency data and intelligence framework for the Changing Futures programme.
- Build strong partnerships across local authority services, health, housing, criminal justice and voluntary sector organisations to support effective data sharing and collaborative working.
- Resolve information governance, legal, technical and cultural barriers to data sharing.
- Provide expert advice and strategic insight to senior leaders, programme boards and partner organisations.
- Develop advanced analytical products, performance dashboards, evaluation frameworks and impact reports.
- Lead the measurement of outcomes, return on investment and system change indicators.
- Champion data-informed decision making and continuous improvement across the partnership.
- Facilitate multi-agency data groups and forums, encouraging collaboration and shared learning.
- Work with national Changing Futures networks to contribute to learning, benchmarking and best practice development.
About You
We're looking for a skilled data and intelligence professional who can combine technical expertise with strategic thinking and strong partnership working.
- Significant experience leading data, intelligence, performance or evaluation functions within a complex environment.
- Experience working across organisational boundaries and influencing a wide range of stakeholders.
- A strong understanding of information governance, GDPR and data-sharing arrangements.
- Advanced analytical and reporting skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, actionable insight.
- Experience designing performance frameworks, evaluation approaches and impact measurement methodologies.
- Strong project management and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with experience advising senior leaders and boards.
- A commitment to using evidence and insight to improve services, reduce inequalities and drive better outcomes.
- Experience of working within public sector partnerships, health, criminal justice, housing, social policy or social inclusion programmes would be particularly valuable.
Why Join Us?
At Knowsley, we are ambitious for our communities and passionate about improving lives. Joining the Changing Futures programme means becoming part of an innovative partnership that is tackling some of the most complex social challenges through collaboration, learning and evidence-led change. You'll have the opportunity to influence strategic decisions, shape future services and contribute to local and national improvement.
At Knowsley Council we will consider requests for flexible working. For most roles, the following types of flexibility are usually possible: flexible hours, working from home, compressed hours, part-time. There is a requirement for you to attend your work base at least 2 days per week.
We welcome applications from residents and beyond, regardless of background, belief, or identity, recognising the value that diversity brings to our organisation. We particularly welcome applications from individuals from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and candidates with disabilities as we acknowledge their underrepresentation in our workforce.
Please note sponsorship is not available for this role. We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the specified date should we receive sufficient applicants.
At Knowsley we value our applicants and want them to feel well-informed and welcomed. If you have any questions about this specific job role or what it is like to work at Knowsley, please contact:
Adrian Carlton / Adrian Carlton@knowsley.gov.uk / 0151 443 2435
Francine McKeown / Francine McKeown@Knowlsey.gov.uk / 0151 443 2426
Interview Date: 7 September 2026
Data Lead Officer - Changing Futures in Knowsley employer: Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council
Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the community. With a strong focus on employee development and a supportive work culture, we offer hybrid working arrangements that promote work-life balance. Join our team to not only advance your career in social work but also to contribute to the well-being of children and families in Huyton.
Contact Details:
Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Lead Officer - Changing Futures in Knowsley
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We think you need these skills to ace Data Lead Officer - Changing Futures in Knowsley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Data Projects:When applying for a temporary data science role at Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council, make sure to showcase any relevant projects you've worked on. Whether it's a personal project, an academic undertaking, or contributions to an open-source initiative, detailing these experiences can really set you apart and demonstrate your practical skills.
Emphasise Your Analytical Skills:In your CV and cover letter, focus on the specific analytical skills that are key to data science. Mention any experience with statistical tools, programming languages like Python or R, and data visualisation software. Don't forget to include any certifications that may bolster your expertise!
Show Your Flexibility:Since this is a temporary role, it's important to convey your adaptability and willingness to learn. In your cover letter to Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council, emphasise how quickly you can get up to speed with new tools or projects. Highlight any previous experiences where you've had to adjust to new environments or challenges.
Craft a Unique Data-Driven Cover Letter:Instead of the usual generic cover letter, spice it up with some data! Maybe you’ve improved a process by 20% in a past role or cleaned a dataset with over a million entries. Use these stats to your advantage to grab Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council’s attention and show the tangible impact of your work.
How to prepare for a job interview at Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
For a data science gig, it's crucial to demonstrate your analytical abilities. Be ready to discuss previous projects and the methodologies you used. Think about how you can quantify your impact—did your analysis improve efficiency or save costs? These are the stories that will stick with interviewers at Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council.
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
You might face technical questions on tools relevant to data science, like Python, R, or SQL. Prepare to solve a problem live—perhaps they'll ask you to write a simple query or code snippet. It’s cool to talk about them, but we need to show we can do it in practice, especially in a temporary role where quick results matter.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, emphasise your ability to learn quickly and adapt to new tools or workflows. Share examples of how you've thrived in fast-paced environments before, and how you can hit the ground running at Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council.
✨Prepare a Portfolio of Your Work
Bring your portfolio to the table—showcase projects where you've leveraged data science techniques to solve problems. Whether it’s a GitHub repository or a set of case studies, having tangible examples of your work will help you stand out and show what you bring to the team at Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council.
