Head of Data Platform in London

The Head of Data Platform has end‑to‑end view and ownership of the existing data estate and is responsible for delivering strategic portfolio changes.

Arch is embarking on a large data transformation and requires an experienced Delivery Lead who has a proven track record of delivering large data programmes.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the delivery of strategic data programmes, ensuring adherence to defined scope, budget, and quality standards.
• Work closely with data governance, business, and key stakeholders to drive the programme and roadmap of change.
• Monitor delivery progress, identifying and mitigating risks and issues as they arise.
• Prepare and present updates and reports to senior management and stakeholders, ensuring transparency and alignment with organizational objectives.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies and best practices throughout the project lifecycle.
• Oversee appropriate resourcing, identifying key requirements needed from cross‑functional teams and external vendors, sourcing and managing vendor partners.
• Ensure deliveries align with the strategic vision and roadmap, and ensure compliance between business strategies, enterprise transformation activities and technology directions.
• Responsible for effective and timely development of new and/or enhanced systems and technologies.
• Monitor all aspects of the software development lifecycle and production support service levels, ensuring high‑level technical support is provided for data‑related technologies.
• Work closely with customers, other IT managers, and management to identify and maximize opportunities to use technology to improve business processes, particularly in data management.
• Prepare business cases, including financial analyses of potential new technologies, systems or applications, and evaluate based on company strategic needs and resource availability.
• Oversee business analysis, development work and quality assurance of projects for assigned systems or technologies.
• Collaborate effectively at all levels to prepare strategic plans and ensure system requests tie into objectives of the company strategy map and budgets.
• Contribute to the development of IT development standards, policies, processes and procedures to ensure consistent compatibility and integration throughout the company.
• Continuously review the technology needs of supported business functions or processes relative to new technological developments and trends.
• Participate in vendor or strategic partner evaluations and monitor the relationship on an ongoing basis.
• Prepare and manage the department budget, including P & L forecasting, operational and capital expenditures, contract negotiations and invoice processing.
• Lead and manage a team to accomplish objectives through effective recruitment and selection, training and development, performance management and rewards and recognition.
• Role Requirements
• Extensive knowledge of modern database technologies such as Snowflake, Oracle, SQL Server and Postgre SQL.
• Broad knowledge of software development techniques, processes, methods and best practices.
• Proficiency with various programming languages.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and guide teams toward successful project delivery.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of engaging effectively with stakeholders.
• Proactive and solution‑oriented problem‑solving ability.
• Excellent organizational skills with a focus on detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Knowledge of application test automation products, processes and best practices.
• Proven experience and strong understanding of Agile development and conventional methods and their application to company technology needs.
• Strong strategic decision‑making and long‑term planning abilities to manage resources and develop efficient and effective solutions to diverse and complex business problems.
• Good general business acumen.
• Experience with insurance or reinsurance systems and data.
• Knowledge of technologies such as Python and Power BI.

Qualifications & Experience

• Proven track record of delivering data programmes in the insurance space.
• Typically a bachelor’s degree and 10 to 15 years of related experience in software development and architecture design, including project management and business analysis.
• Significant management experience.
• Prior experience in financial services, specifically insurance, would be highly beneficial.
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