Head of Data and Automation in Reading

Department: IT

Reports to: Associate Director of IT and Change

Salary: (£70- £80k + car allowance depending on experience)

Location: Reading or Manchester (hybrid working available, with regular office presence required)

The Opportunity

As Head of Data and Automation, you will play a critical role in enabling Leep’s transition to a data-driven, highly automated organisation. Working closely with the Associate Director of IT and Change, senior leadership team, key business stakeholders and external partners, you will deliver a cohesive data and automation strategy aligned to Leep’s Medium‑Term Plan (MTP). This strategy is key to supporting the rapid business growth Leep is experiencing, while controlling operational cost and complexity. This is a hands‑on role, focused on translating data and automation activities into tangible business value. Driving and establishing strong data foundations, you will build a scalable data platform with our partners, embedding data and automation – ultimately leading towards AI capabilities – across key functions. You will lead the evolution from fragmented, manual and spreadsheet‑driven processes, towards integrated, automated and insight‑led ways of working.

Key Responsibilities

• Own, evolve and deliver Leep’s data and automation strategy, aligned to the Medium‑Term Plan (MTP), enabling scalable growth and operational efficiency.
• Lead the delivery of a scalable data platform, such as Databricks, Microsoft Fabric or equivalent platforms, establishing a single source of truth to support reporting, analytics and operational insight.
• Drive the transition from manual, spreadsheet‑driven processes to integrated, automated and system‑led workflows across all core business functions.
• Identify, prioritise and deliver automation opportunities across all business functions, reducing manual effort and improving accuracy and control.
• Embed AI‑supported capabilities where appropriate, ensuring practical, governed and value‑driven adoption across the business.
• Establish and maintain robust data architecture, governance, quality and ownership frameworks, ensuring data is trusted, accessible and compliant with regulatory requirements.
• Enable the development of self‑service reporting and advanced analytics capability, supporting faster, insight‑led decision‑making across the organisation.
• Partner with business stakeholders ensuring each maintains and prioritises data and automation initiatives, delivering against operational priorities and regulatory obligations.
• Lead the delivery of data and automation components within major transformation programmes, including ERP, CRM, metering, billing and operational systems.
• Support acquisition integration activity through data alignment, migration and process standardisation, enabling efficient transition and scalable operations.
• Track, measure and communicate efficiency gains, cost savings and performance improvements, demonstrating clear ROI from data and automation investment.
• Lead and develop a high‑performing data and automation team, while remaining hands‑on, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and right‑first‑time delivery.
• Act as a subject‑matter expert and trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, translating business problems into data and automation solutions.
• Drive cross‑functional collaboration to embed data ownership, automation capability and consistent ways of working across the business.
• Champion a culture of innovation, continuous improvement and pragmatic delivery, ensuring initiatives are outcome‑driven and commercially grounded.

Success Measures

• A clear, cohesive data and automation strategy is delivered in line with Leep’s Medium‑Term Plan.
• A scalable data platform and trusted single source of truth are established to improve reporting, analytics and operational insight.
• Manual and spreadsheet‑driven processes are reduced through practical automation and system‑led workflows.
• Data governance, ownership and quality standards are embedded across key business functions.
• Efficiency gains, cost savings, risk reduction and performance improvements are tracked and communicated clearly.
• Stakeholders have improved access to reliable insight that supports faster, evidence‑led decision‑making.

About You

• Proven experience defining and delivering data, automation and/or analytics strategies.
• Strong hands‑on technical background in data engineering, analytics, automation or AI.
• Demonstrable experience building or evolving data platforms, reporting capability and automation frameworks.
• Track record of identifying and delivering automation and process improvement opportunities.
• Strong understanding of data governance, quality and architecture principles.
• Practical experience building and applying advanced analytics and/or AI in a business context.
• Commercially minded, with the ability to prioritise initiatives based on business value, cost and measurable outcomes.
• Experience working in high‑growth, complex, recurring‑income or regulated environments would be advantageous.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage, influence and challenge senior leaders, translating between technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Ability to work cross‑functionally to embed data ownership, automation capability and new ways of working.
• Experience supporting system implementations, integrations or acquisitions from a data and process perspective is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to build, lead and develop high‑performing teams.
• Highly proactive and outcome‑focused, with a strong bias toward action, delivery and tangible results.

Your Development and Benefits

At Leep, we believe in stable growth and putting our people first. Our 5‑year strategic growth plan gives us stability today and prepares us for the future, while nurturing a strong collaborative and supportive culture. Our benefits include:

• Salary which aligns to your experience and skillset
• 25 days paid holiday + bank holidays
• An additional day off to celebrate your birthday
• Annual discretionary bonus
• Car allowance
• Commission scheme (eligible after probation)
• Company pension plan
• Health insurance
• Health Cash plan through Westfield Health.
• Option to purchase additional holiday days through our Holiday Buying Scheme
• Engagement committee with events throughout the year, including Christmas Party, Summer Party and individual team socials
• Paid professional memberships relevant to your role and access to professional development opportunities

Our Values

At the forefront of everything we do: Safety, Customer Promise, Accountability, Reliability, Respect, Flexibility

Equal Opportunities

Leep Utilities is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. If you require any appropriate accommodations during the application or interview process, please let us know.