Director/Senior Director, Data Strategy

Location: London

Relation Therapeutics is an end-to-end biotech company developing transformational medicines with technology at its core. Our ambition is to understand human biology in unprecedented ways and discover therapies that will treat some of life's most devastating diseases. We leverage single‑cell and multi‑omics measurements directly from patient tissue, functional assays, and machine‑learning to drive disease understanding — from cause to cure.

Opportunity

As the Head of Data Strategy, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing the company’s data strategy, ensuring that Relation can leverage the full value of its data assets.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute Relation’s data strategy in partnership with key stakeholders, ensuring that the data is a compounding asset that supports all aspects of drug discovery, research and development.
• Create and maintain data catalogues, define data standards and ontologies, and ensure proper metadata and data lineage tracking.
• Work closely with the VP Engineering to guide the development of a robust data infrastructure in a rapidly scaling TechBio.
• Collaborate closely with interdisciplinary teams, such as machine learning engineers, bioinformaticians, and scientists, to ensure data is ready for use in research and drug discovery.
• Procure and integrate external datasets (e.g., UK Biobank, public databases) and manage data partnerships to enrich the data ecosystem.
• Implement data governance policies that ensure responsible, secure, and compliant data usage, aligning with evolving regulatory requirements.
• Lead data curation efforts, ensuring the quality and integrity of data assets across multiple domains including omics, imaging, and clinical data.
• Build and manage a high‑performing data strategy, governance and acquisition team, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• A graduate degree in Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Computational Biology, or a related field (PhD preferred).
• Demonstrated success in leading data strategy, including planning and execution in a matrix environment.
• Extensive experience with data strategy, management and acquisition in the life sciences, preferably including working with large biobanks and public databases (7+ years).
• Familiarity with data management, storage and processing tools and cloud‑based data management platforms.
• Experience in coding for data pipelines and modern coding practices.
• Experience of acquisition, curation, and quality assurance efforts in research or drug discovery or a regulated setting.
• Deep understanding of data types and ontologies, including omics, imaging, and clinical data.
• Proven experience with data governance frameworks and ensuring compliance with data protection regulations.
• Ability to lead cross‑functional initiatives and manage stakeholder relationships across scientific and technical disciplines.
• Experience working with machine learning teams and understanding data needs for model development.
• Experience with large‑scale data integration efforts, biobanks like UK Biobank or databases such as dbGaP.
• Knowledge of FAIR data principles and experience implementing data governance strategies in compliance with industry standards.

Additional Qualities

• Collaborative team player with a strong desire to drive impact.
• Excellent communicator and comfortable presenting complex data strategies to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Detail‑oriented, curious, and passionate about using data to drive scientific innovation.
• Comfortable and thrives in fast‑paced, dynamic environments.
• Driven by impact, motivated and curious.
• Humble and hungry to learn with a strong sense of accountability.
• Passionate about making a difference in patients’ lives.

Relation is a committed equal opportunities employer.