Data Lead - Financial Services | London, UK

Are you a highly experienced Finance Data professional looking to shape the future of data management within a leading global organisation? We are seeking a Data Lead to take ownership of critical data initiatives, drive strategic projects, and build a robust data foundation for our finance function. This is a pivotal, newly created role designed for someone ready to make a significant impact.

About the Role

Sitting within our Finance Data Centre of Excellence, this position is at the heart of our Financial Control team. You will report to the Head of Finance Systems & Data Governance and be instrumental in evolving our data capabilities. While initially a lean team, you will have the opportunity to define its future direction, leveraging resources across the business. This role is crucial for us, and we are looking for someone to drive it forward with autonomy and vision.

A key focus will be leading the data aspects of a high-profile, multi-year Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system replacement project. You will be responsible for the data transition, participating in both the design and execution phases, and establishing yourself as the go-to expert for finance data management across the organisation.

Your day-to-day will involve:

• Creating and overseeing Finance's Data Strategy, encompassing data discovery, transformation, cleansing, migration, handling, controls, cutover, risk management, reconciliation, destruction, and governance.
• Designing and maintaining the Finance Data Architecture, ensuring adherence to master data management principles.
• Collaborating with firmwide data management specialists and senior data leadership to stay current with changing laws and regulations, providing essential guidance to Finance teams.
• Acting as an escalation point for data quality, security, and interaction issues, driving their effective resolution.

Who We Are Looking For

This role is for an influential and strategic individual with a deep understanding of both finance and data. You will be a great fit if you have:

• Extensive experience within a finance function with an expert understanding of how Finance Data impacts critical business decisions.
• Proven leadership experience, including managing and providing direction to a team.
• Exceptional communication skills are paramount. You must be able to articulate complex data concepts clearly to diverse stakeholders and translate technical details for finance professionals. This is a key success factor for the role.
• Expertise in data management fundamentals, including data quality management processes, data profiling, analysis, cleansing routines, and root-cause analysis.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to lead multiple workstreams and counterparties to deliver projects and reporting to deadlines.
• A strong understanding of business requirements definitions and management, data quality software, performance management, and risk management.
• A finance qualification (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA) is desirable, though candidates who are qualified through equivalent work experience will be fully considered.

What We Offer

We believe in supporting our people at every stage of their career and personal life. Our comprehensive benefits package includes empowered flexibility, private medical cover, 24/7 access to a qualified virtual GP, and six volunteering days a year. We operate a hybrid working model, requiring 3 days per week in the office. You will have the flexibility to be based out of any of our regional offices across the UK, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, and more.

The Interview Process

Our selection process typically involves two stages:

• Technical Interview: Focused on your experience, CV, and how you would approach specific scenarios relevant to the role.
• Behavioural Interview: Exploring your past roles, cultural fit, and adaptability to different situations.