Data Operations Manager in London

Join Kpler’s Maritime Data team as our next Data Operations Manager and help shape the future of maritime intelligence.

In this high-impact leadership role, you will lead and develop a talented team of data professionals while driving the technical capabilities, processes, and operational excellence behind some of Kpler’s most valuable maritime datasets.

Your focus will be on building a high-performing and well-enabled data team: strengthening technical capabilities, improving ways of working, introducing scalable processes and automation, and ensuring the team has the tools, knowledge, and support needed to deliver high-quality, trusted data efficiently.

Working closely with Data, Product, Engineering, and Commercial teams, you will help shape how data is collected, managed, validated, and delivered. You will combine strong people leadership with hands-on technical expertise to identify opportunities for improvement, solve complex data challenges, and build scalable solutions that support Kpler’s continued growth.

You will also work closely with senior domain experts and specialists covering key maritime data areas, enabling them to focus on their areas of expertise while ensuring the wider team operates effectively, consistently, and efficiently.

If you are passionate about developing people, improving data operations, and using technology to build scalable and efficient data solutions, this is an opportunity to make a visible impact in a fast-growing global company.

Internally, this role is known as Vessel Data Manager.

Your mission is to:

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of data professionals, fostering ownership, growth, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Build and strengthen the team’s technical capabilities through coaching, enablement, knowledge sharing, and development opportunities.
• Establish and continuously improve data management and operational processes, ensuring they are scalable, efficient, and fit for purpose.
• Provide technical leadership across data workflows, including SQL, Python, ETL processes, APIs, data ingestion, automation, and data validation.
• Identify opportunities to automate manual processes and improve the efficiency, scalability, and reliability of data operations.
• Design, develop, and maintain business logic, data validation frameworks, dashboards, and data workflows.
• Support the adoption and integration of new tools, technologies, and data sources, working closely with relevant technical stakeholders.
• Ensure strong data quality and operational standards through effective monitoring, validation, documentation, and continuous improvement.
• Work closely with senior domain experts and specialists to enable effective delivery across key maritime datasets.
• Collaborate with Product, Engineering, Data, and Commercial teams to understand requirements, resolve challenges, and improve how data is delivered to customers.
• Define and monitor KPIs and OKRs, using data and insights to identify opportunities for improvement and support strategic decision-making.
• Manage resources and priorities effectively, balancing operational delivery with longer-term capability and process improvements.

Experience & Background

Essential:

• Extensive experience in data management, data operations, analytics, or related technical data roles, including 3+ years of direct people management experience.
• Proven experience as a People Manager, with a track record of building, developing, coaching, and empowering technical or data-focused teams.
• Advanced, hands-on proficiency in SQL and Python.
• Proven experience designing, optimising, and maintaining ETL processes and data workflows
• Experience working with APIs and data ingestion.
• Strong understanding of data quality, data validation, and automated validation methodologies.
• Experience identifying and implementing automation and process improvements to increase efficiency and scalability.
• Practical familiarity with data visualisation tools such as Tableau, Looker, or similar platforms.
• Strong ability to translate operational or business challenges into practical technical and data solutions.
• Experience working cross-functionally with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Desirable:

• Experience in the maritime industry or working with maritime data, or a genuine interest in the maritime industry and the opportunity to develop knowledge in this space.
• Project management experience.
• Experience with Dataiku or similar data science and workflow automation platforms.
• Experience working in a data-intensive product or technology organisation.

Behavioural Competencies

• Strong people leadership skills, with a focus on coaching, development, empowerment, and team performance.
• Technical curiosity and confidence working hands-on with data and technology.
• Ownership mindset with accountability for data quality, operational excellence, and delivery.
• Structured and process-oriented approach, with the ability to prioritise effectively.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Analytical thinking and a continuous improvement mindset.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on problem solving.
• Ability to create an environment where technical experts and specialists can perform at their best.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Maritime Studies, or a related field.