At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of a strategic data vision for impactful government services.
- Company: Join Scrumconnect, a people-first digital consultancy transforming public services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for continuous learning.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with strong career growth and mentorship opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by shaping data strategies that impact millions.
- Qualifications: Experience in data engineering, analytics, or data science within complex organisations.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
At Scrumconnect, we are a people‑first digital consultancy that partners with government and private sector organisations to design, build, and deliver user‑centred digital services. We bring together multidisciplinary teams of consultants, designers, engineers, researchers, and data specialists to solve complex challenges and create meaningful outcomes for millions of users. We are passionate about delivering high‑quality digital solutions that improve public services, drive innovation, and create lasting impact. Our culture is built on collaboration, continuous learning, inclusivity, and excellence.
About the role
Scrumconnect is seeking an experienced Data Lead to lead the development and execution of a strategic data vision for a large‑scale government programme supporting services used by millions of citizens. This role will be responsible for assessing the current data landscape, defining the future‑state architecture and operating model, and creating a roadmap that enables data‑driven decision making, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance. The successful candidate will provide both strategic leadership and technical direction while helping shape and scale the data capability required to deliver long‑term transformation. Working closely with senior stakeholders, delivery teams, architects, and data specialists, you will ensure that data platforms, governance frameworks, and analytical capabilities align with organisational objectives and government standards.
Key responsibilities
- Lead the development and execution of the overall data strategy.
- Assess and document current ('as‑is') data capabilities, platforms, processes, and governance arrangements.
- Define the target ('to‑be') data architecture, operating model, and roadmap.
- Establish and maintain data governance frameworks, standards, policies, and best practices.
- Ensure alignment with wider government data strategies and organisational objectives.
- Promote a culture of data‑driven decision making across programmes and stakeholders.
Technical leadership & architecture
- Provide technical leadership across data engineering, analytics, and data science initiatives.
- Define and evolve data architecture, engineering standards, tools, and methodologies.
- Design scalable, secure, and resilient cloud‑based data solutions.
- Oversee the implementation of data platforms, ETL/ELT pipelines, and analytical solutions.
- Ensure data services meet both functional and non‑functional requirements, including security, performance, and scalability.
- Drive continuous improvement of data engineering and analytical capabilities.
- Define the optimal team structure, skills, and capabilities required to deliver the data strategy.
- Lead multidisciplinary teams including data engineers, analysts, data scientists, and architects.
- Mentor and support team members to foster technical excellence and professional growth.
- Collaborate with delivery partners and stakeholders to identify and onboard specialist expertise when required.
- Ensure successful delivery of strategic data initiatives within agreed timelines and budgets.
Data quality, compliance & security
- Implement robust data quality, lineage, metadata, and governance practices.
- Ensure compliance with GDPR, security policies, government standards, and regulatory requirements.
- Establish monitoring and reporting mechanisms to maintain data integrity and reliability.
- Support audits, risk assessments, and compliance activities.
- Champion secure‑by‑design and privacy‑by‑design principles across all data initiatives.
Stakeholder engagement
- Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders across business and technical teams.
- Translate complex technical concepts into clear business outcomes and recommendations.
- Present strategic plans, progress updates, and key insights to executive audiences.
- Facilitate workshops and decision‑making sessions to drive alignment and delivery.
Significant experience
- Leading data engineering, analytics, or data science functions within complex organisations.
- Developing and delivering enterprise‑wide data strategies.
- Establishing data governance frameworks and operating models.
Technical expertise
- Strong experience with AWS cloud services and modern data platforms.
- Expertise in designing and implementing scalable data architectures and engineering solutions.
- Experience with ETL/ELT frameworks, data integration, and pipeline automation.
- Strong understanding of data modelling, data warehousing, and transformation methodologies.
- Experience supporting data science and machine learning initiatives from experimentation through production deployment.
- Strong understanding of data security, governance, and operational best practices.
Public sector experience
- Delivering data initiatives within government or highly regulated environments.
- Strong understanding of GDPR, information governance, data protection legislation, and public sector compliance requirements.
- Familiarity with Government Digital Service (GDS) standards and ways of working.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Ability to influence senior leaders and drive strategic decision‑making.
- Building, leading, and mentoring high‑performing data teams.
- Strong facilitation, collaboration, and workshop leadership capabilities.
Technical environment
- Experience with some or all of the following technologies is desirable:
- AWS Amazon S3
- AWS Glue
- AWS Lambda
- Amazon Redshift
- AWS Lake Formation
- SQL
- Python
- ETL/ELT frameworks
- Data Warehousing solutions
- Data Modelling methodologies
Performance & digital analytics
- Google Analytics
- Google BigQuery
- Google Looker Studio
- Experience within benefits, welfare, citizen services, or wider public sector domains.
- Previous experience delivering services through public sector frameworks.
- Security clearance (BPSS, SC, or DV) or willingness to undergo clearance.
- Experience working within Agile multidisciplinary delivery teams.
- Experience defining and scaling enterprise data capabilities and operating models.
Data Lead employer: Scrumconnect Limited
At Scrumconnect, we pride ourselves on being a people-first digital consultancy that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture. As a Data Lead in London, you will have the opportunity to lead transformative data initiatives that impact millions of citizens while benefiting from continuous learning and professional growth. Our commitment to excellence and innovation, combined with our focus on employee well-being, makes Scrumconnect an exceptional employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the public sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend meetups, webinars, or even casual coffee chats. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or a personal website showcasing your projects and achievements. This is your chance to demonstrate your expertise in data architecture and engineering, making you stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to data strategy and governance. Think about how you can translate your technical knowledge into business outcomes, as this will impress those senior stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals like you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves.
We think you need these skills to ace Data Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with data strategies and governance frameworks. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Scrumconnect!
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t hold back on detailing your technical expertise, especially with AWS and data architecture. We’re looking for someone who can lead our data initiatives, so let us know how you’ve done this in the past!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key achievements and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Scrumconnect Limited
✨Know Your Data Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the current data landscape and can articulate your understanding of data governance frameworks. Be prepared to discuss how you would assess existing capabilities and define future architectures, as this will show your strategic thinking.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Brush up on your technical expertise, especially with AWS services and data engineering tools. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've designed scalable data solutions or implemented ETL/ELT pipelines in past roles. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Prepare to discuss how you’ve built relationships with senior stakeholders in previous positions. Think of examples where you translated complex data concepts into actionable business outcomes, as this will highlight your communication skills and ability to influence decision-making.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Be ready to talk about how you’ve driven continuous improvement in data capabilities. Share instances where you’ve mentored team members or led initiatives that enhanced data quality and compliance, showcasing your leadership and commitment to excellence.
