At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage Shell's reference data for Trading and Supply, ensuring accuracy and governance.
- Company: Join Shell, a leader in energy transition with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, competitive salary, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborate with experienced colleagues and grow through diverse career opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on data quality and governance in a dynamic trading environment.
- Qualifications: Strong background in reference data management and data governance.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
The Reference Data lead is responsible for owning and managing Shell’s data sources of reference data across Trading and Supply. This role requires a strong background in master data management and ensures that reference data is accurate, consistent, and governed, forming the backbone for analytics, automation, and ETRM and reporting. This includes counterparty data, calendars/holidays, units of measure (UoM), and settlement details. By defining data contracts, stewarding lineage, and embedding governance practices, this role enables interoperability across platforms, reduces duplication, and supports regulatory compliance. Acting as a trusted partner to Risk, Finance, Front Office, and IDT, the Reference Data lead drives adoption of a single source of truth and fosters a culture of data stewardship and ownership.
Key Responsibilities
- Reference Data Strategy: Develop and maintain a unified reference data strategy aligned with Trading and Supply priorities. Own golden sources for key reference data domains (counterparty, calendars/holidays, UoM, settlements). Define and enforce data contracts, lineage, and stewardship practices.
- Enable Consistency & Integration: Ensure all business units—especially ADA and ASPIRE projects—operate from a single, trusted source of reference data. Integrate reference data with TED and other platforms to enable interoperability and governance.
- Business Enablement & Adoption: Partner with business, Data governance team, Risk, Finance, Front Office, and IDT to ensure adoption and compliance with reference data standards. Support ADA and ASPIRE projects by providing accurate, accessible, & governed reference data for analytics and automation.
- Data Quality & Control: Establish and monitor data quality metrics for reference data domains. Drive continuous improvement to eliminate duplication and reduce reconciliation efforts.
- Governance & Oversight: Work with the Head of Data Governance to set up a Reference Data Council for oversight and alignment. Ensure reference data practices support regulatory compliance and auditability.
Key Benefits of the Role
- Improved data quality and trust across business processes.
- Faster onboarding of new data-driven initiatives.
- Simplified integration and reporting.
- Stronger data governance and stewardship.
What You Bring
- Strong understanding of reference data management in trading environments.
- Experience in data governance, lineage, and data contracts.
- Familiarity with enterprise data platforms, master data management, and governance tools (e.g., Unity Catalog, Collibra, Informatica).
- Ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive adoption of standards.
- Ability to translate and communicate complex requirements, with a strong understanding of how critical data underpins business processes.
- Exposure to regulatory requirements and audit processes.
- Exposure to Generative AI and Agentic AI tools and processes a plus.
What We Offer
- Progress as a person as we work on the energy transition together.
- Continuously grow the transferable skills you need to get ahead.
- Work at the forefront of technology, trends, and practices.
- Collaborate with experienced colleagues with unique expertise.
- Achieve your balance in a values-led culture that encourages you to be the best version of yourself.
- Benefit from flexible working hours, and the possibility of remote/mobile working.
- Perform at your best with a competitive starting salary and annual performance related salary increase – our pay and benefits packages are considered to be among the best in the world.
- Take advantage of paid parental leave, including for non-birthing parents.
- Join an organisation working to become one of the most diverse and inclusive in the world.
- We strongly encourage applicants of all genders, ages, ethnicities, cultures, abilities, sexual orientation, and life experiences to apply.
- Grow as you progress through diverse career opportunities in national and international teams.
- Gain access to a wide range of training and development programmes.
Shell is working to advance an inclusive, psychologically safe and accessible environment where people with disabilities can excel. If you require any accommodations or accessibility adjustments during the application or interview process, please let us know directly. We strive to ensure that our process and workplace is accessible to everyone and are dedicated to making reasonable adjustments to support your needs.
Reference Data Lead in London employer: Shell
At Shell, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly for the Reference Data Lead role, where you will play a pivotal part in shaping our data governance and stewardship practices. Our inclusive work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, providing ample opportunities for personal and professional growth while working at the forefront of energy transition technologies. With competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to diversity, Shell is dedicated to creating a supportive environment where every employee can thrive.
