Director of Data Operations and Governance in London

Our Future Health is an ambitious collaboration between the public, charity and private sectors, designed to help people live healthier lives for longer through better prevention, earlier detection and improved treatment of diseases. With over 2.7 million volunteers across the UK, we’re now the world’s largest health research programme of our kind, with a volunteer group that is more diverse than other similar health research programmes. Data is at the heart of our mission. We bring together health records, genetic and laboratory data, questionnaires and other participant-generated data to create an incredibly rich resource for health research. We use this data to support discovery research, recruitment into clinical trials, and health insights for participants. As we grow, both the volume and variety of data we manage will increase considerably.

We are looking for an experienced Director of Data Operations & Governance to lead how we operationally manage and govern data across Our Future Health. This is a Senior Leadership role reporting to the Chief Data Officer, with responsibility for the operational management and governance of data across Our Future Health. You will help ensure data moves efficiently and securely from source to user, while maintaining the quality, provenance and controls required of one of the world's largest health research programmes. This is fundamentally a data operations and delivery leadership role. You will develop the operating models, standards and ways of working that allow us to onboard and release data efficiently, improve its quality and ensure governance, security and compliance are considered from the outset.

You will join an established Data Management capability, initially managing a senior Data Management lead with five Data Managers within the wider team, alongside additional budgeted roles expected to report directly to you. You'll have the opportunity to shape the future structure and capability of the function as we grow.

What makes this exciting?

• Help define what good looks like at the forefront of health data. Few organisations are working with our combination of data volume, variety, sensitivity and potential research use. You'll help create the operational approach rather than simply inherit one.
• Work on complex data challenges at scale. Our data comes from the NHS, laboratories, technology partners and participants. You'll shape how that data moves from source through to being trusted and available for research.
• Shape a growing capability. You'll join an established team, but the future operating model isn't fixed. You'll help determine how the function evolves as our data landscape becomes increasingly complex.
• Work collaboratively across the organisation. You'll bring together colleagues across Data Engineering, Product, Science, Operations, Legal, Compliance and Security to establish practical standards, clarify responsibilities and improve how we manage data.
• Bring experience from another sector. Healthcare experience isn't essential. We're interested in people from complex, regulated and data-intensive environments who can bring useful experience of data operations at scale.

Responsibilities

Data Operations & Delivery

• Lead the end-to-end operational management of data, from supplier onboarding and acquisition through to clinic laboratory operations, data release, retention and withdrawal.
• Create clear responsibilities, milestones, dependencies and escalation routes across complex data flows, drawing on support from our delivery team.
• Develop scaling strategies for onboarding and using data at increasing volumes and variety, setting out the volume targets and working with the data engineering team on technical implementation.
• Oversee the operational aspects of data releases, including the cross-functional coordination required to make these successful.
• Develop effective reporting across operational performance, data volumes, quality, risks and issues.
• Oversee reliable, customer-focused managed data services, including the airlock service that researchers use to move data and tooling into and out of our trusted research environment.
• Help teams navigate and resolve complex operational issues so that data can be delivered efficiently.

Data Governance & Quality

• Embed governance, security, privacy and compliance requirements into data processes from the outset.
• Develop practical data standards and controls, helping teams across the organisation understand their responsibilities for data on topics such as quality and retention and overseeing implementation.
• Improve how we understand and manage data quality, integrity, provenance and lifecycle.
• Partner with colleagues in Data Protection, Security, Legal and Compliance to ensure data is managed ethically, securely and appropriately.

Partners & People

• Manage data-facing operational relationships and negotiations with the NHS, laboratories, technology partners and other data suppliers.
• Lead, support and develop a team of Data Managers and governance professionals.
• Shape the future structure and capability of the function as Our Future Health grows.
• Build trusted relationships with senior colleagues across Data, Technology, Product, Science, Operations, Legal, Compliance and Security.
• Bring people together around shared priorities and help establish clarity where responsibilities cross teams.

Requirements

We welcome applications from people who may not meet every requirement. If your experience covers most of the areas below and you're interested in the opportunity, we'd like to hear from you.

• Experience leading complex data operations, data management or data-enabled operational services at comparable or greater scale to Our Future Health.
• Experience taking responsibility for operational outcomes and delivering complex initiatives.
• Experience working within a regulated, controlled or security-conscious environment.
• A good understanding of data governance, data quality, lifecycle management, privacy and operational controls.
• Experience developing or improving operating models, standards, data quality or operational reporting.
• The ability to create clarity and work effectively with people across organisational boundaries.
• Experience working with senior stakeholders, suppliers and external partners.
• Experience leading, supporting and developing data or operational teams.
• Enough understanding of modern data platforms and engineering practices to work effectively with technical colleagues.
• Good judgement and the ability to introduce new ways of working while building effective relationships with the people involved.

You do not need to come from healthcare, and this is not a Data Engineering or Data Science leadership role. We are interested in people who have worked in large, complex and regulated environments and can bring experience of effective data operations and governance at scale.

Although not essential, these would be helpful:

• Experience with health, genetic, laboratory, research or other sensitive data.
• Experience working with the NHS or other large public-sector data providers.
• Experience within life sciences, pharmaceuticals, health technology or another regulated data-intensive sector such as financial services.
• Experience contributing to a substantial data or operational transformation.
• Exposure to medical device regulation or similarly rigorous regulatory frameworks.

Benefits

• Generous Pension Scheme – We invest in your future with employer contributions of up to 12%.
• 30 Days Holiday pro rata + Bank Holidays – Enjoy a generous holiday allowance with the flexibility to take bank holidays when it suits you.
• Enhanced Parental Leave – Supporting you during life’s biggest moments.
• Cycle to Work Scheme – Save 25-39% on a new bike and accessories through salary sacrifice.
• Home & Tech Savings – Get up to 8% off on IKEA and Currys products, spreading the cost over 12 months through salary sacrifice.
• EV Scheme – Save up to 40% on a brand new electric vehicle all-inclusive package through salary sacrifice.
• £1,000 Employee Referral Bonus – Know someone amazing? Get rewarded for bringing them on board!
• Wellbeing Support – Access to Mental Health First Aiders, plus 24/7 online GP services and an Employee Assistance Programme for you and your family.
• A Great Place to Work – We have a lovely Central London office in Holborn, and offer flexible and remote working arrangements.

Join us - let’s prevent disease together.

We recommend you apply as soon as possible as occasionally due to high volumes of applications, we need to close our postings early. At Our Future Health, we recognise the importance of having a diverse workforce and ensuring that all candidates, regardless of their background, have equitable access to our application process. We proactively encourage applicants who identify as having a disability, neurodiversity, or long-term health conditions to let us know if they require any reasonable adjustments as part of their application process.