Strategic Data & Operations Lead in Edinburgh
Strategic Data & Operations Lead

Strategic Data & Operations Lead in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Full-Time 50000 - 65000 £ / year (est.) Home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead data strategy and systems for a global tech giant, turning complex data into actionable insights.
  • Company: Join SmartPA, a transformative company reshaping the admin support landscape.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salaries, remote work, 33 days holiday, and growth opportunities.
  • Other info: Be part of a vibrant culture with endless learning and career advancement opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by driving data-driven decisions in a fast-paced environment.
  • Qualifications: Expertise in Google Sheets, Looker Studio, and SQL; strong problem-solving skills.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.

At SmartPA, we are the engine of our clients' success. This particular role is assigned to one of our ‘dedicated’ clients, meaning you will be representing our brand whilst working very closely with a global tech giant. We are looking for a Data & Systems Lead who possesses a bias for action and a relentless drive to build something great. You are a resourceful and creative problem-solver who thrives on ambiguity and the challenge of turning complex data into a competitive advantage. You will be the bridge between technical execution and business impact, ensuring that every piece of data - from a single spreadsheet cell to a complex dashboard build - is accurate, ethical, and strategically aligned with both SmartPA’s and the tech giant's mission.

What Your Day Will Look Like

  • Stakeholder Partnership: Act as a collaborative partner to cross-functional teams. You will present recommendations clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, including executive leadership, ensuring your insights are acted upon.
  • Forensic Data Stewardship: Manage content and data entry with a methodical approach. You identify and correct inaccuracies at the source, maintaining a "perfectionist’s eye" for detail to ensure the source of truth is beyond reproach.
  • Systems Architecture: Design and maintain low-code applications (AppSheet) and automated Google Sheets ecosystems. You ensure data flows through functions and validation rules with zero friction.
  • Information Design & Visual Storytelling: Build intuitive dashboards and "data imagery" in Looker Studio. You have a meticulous eye for the finer details of data presentation - ensuring titles are punchy, axes are correctly labelled, and legends are clear - so the end-user understands the "story" of the data at a glance.
  • AI Acceleration: Spend a percentage of your time identifying how Generative AI tools (e.g., Gemini) can transform data roles, research complex problems, and automate administrative heavy lifting.
  • Culture & Trust: Champion a data-driven culture by feeding user engagement insights back into models, while maintaining a commitment to user trust and granular privacy controls.

About You

You are a strategic problem solver and a skilled communicator. You are intellectually curious, self-aware, and constantly seeking excellence through opportunities to learn and improve. You are responsive and resilient to challenging, ambiguous, and sometimes changing objectives; you thrive in a fast-paced environment and have a relentless drive to build something great. You possess a "Privacy by Design" mindset, understanding the ethical implications of data usage and the importance of providing users with granular controls over their information. Most importantly, you are a proactive self-starter who can work independently while remaining a highly collaborative partner to engineering and product management teams.

Experience

Your experience is key, but your attitude is what sets you apart.

  • Essential:
  • Platform Expertise: Expert-level Google Sheets (advanced functions, pivot tables, data validation) and Looker Studio for creating executive-level dashboards.
  • Data Visualisation & Precision: A high level of "chart literacy." You take pride in the meticulous details of data presentation, ensuring every chart is legible, accurately labelled, and accessible to non-technical users.
  • Execution at Pace: A proven ability to prioritise and work on multiple projects simultaneously to meet competing deadlines.
  • Data Foundational Skills: Proficiency in SQL to extract and manipulate complex datasets from various sources.
  • Meticulous Detail: Proven experience in content management, data entry, or administrative roles where you were responsible for absolute data integrity.
  • Strategic Mindset: Strong business acumen and the ability to connect data-driven insights to business impact, effectively translating business needs into data problems.
  • Desirable:
    • AI Fluency: Hands-on experience using Generative AI or Large Language Models (LLMs) to research, write code, or accelerate your workflow.
    • Technical Foundations: Experience with a programming language to support and automate data cleaning or perform statistical modelling.
    • Low-Code Automation: Experience building custom business apps via AppSheet or using Google Apps Script to interconnect G-Suite products.

    Work Remotely

    Schedule: Monday - Friday. Your working hours will be 2:00pm to 10:30pm, aligned to cover the 9:00am to 5:30pm (EST) business day.

    Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

    What's in it for you?

    At SmartPA we believe in rewarding talent and supporting your growth.

    • Competitive Salaries
    • Department based incentives
    • Remote Work
    • 33 Days Holiday: Because rest fuels greatness
    • Growth Opportunities: Develop your skills, advance your career and grow with a company reshaping the industry
    • Employee Assistance Programme

    About us

    At SmartPA, we don’t just provide support – we transform it. Our vision is to deliver a world-class, human-centred, tech-enabled PA and admin service that delivers measurable results, today and into the future. Trusted by global leaders in industries like tech, automotive, retail and legal, we’re the engine behind smarter, more efficient operations. With a vibrant, client-focused culture and a team driven by creativity, no two days at SmartPA are ever the same! As we continue to grow rapidly, this is your opportunity to join us on the journey to becoming the most optimised administrative organisation in the world. If you’re ready to challenge the status quo and create meaningful impact, we want to hear from you!

    Strategic Data & Operations Lead in Edinburgh employer: SmartPA

    At SmartPA, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions talent and fosters a vibrant, client-focused culture. With competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and ample growth opportunities, we empower our employees to develop their skills and advance their careers while working closely with a global tech giant. Join us in a dynamic environment where creativity thrives, and every day presents new challenges and meaningful impact.
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    Contact Detail:

    SmartPA Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Strategic Data & Operations Lead in Edinburgh

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those who work at SmartPA or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Prepare for interviews by practising your storytelling skills. Think about how your past experiences align with the role of Strategic Data & Operations Lead. We want to hear how you've tackled challenges and made an impact!

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Show off your data skills! Bring examples of dashboards or projects you've worked on to the interview. This will not only demonstrate your expertise but also your passion for turning data into actionable insights.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the SmartPA team and being part of our mission.

    We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Data & Operations Lead in Edinburgh

    Google Sheets
    Looker Studio
    Data Visualisation
    SQL
    Data Integrity
    Problem-Solving
    Communication Skills
    Project Management
    Low-Code Development
    Generative AI
    Data Stewardship
    Attention to Detail
    Business Acumen
    Adaptability

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how excited you are about the opportunity to work with us and the global tech giant. Share why this position speaks to you and how you can contribute to our mission.

    Be Specific: Use concrete examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your skills. Whether it's your expertise in Google Sheets or your knack for data visualisation, we love seeing how you've tackled challenges before. Specifics help us picture you in the role!

    Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to align with the job description. Highlight the skills and experiences that match what we're looking for, especially around data stewardship and strategic problem-solving. This shows us you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested.

    Keep It Professional Yet Personal: While we appreciate a friendly tone, remember to maintain professionalism in your writing. Balance your personality with clarity and precision. We want to get to know you, but we also need to see that you can communicate effectively in a business context.

    How to prepare for a job interview at SmartPA

    ✨Know Your Data Inside Out

    Before the interview, dive deep into your data skills. Brush up on Google Sheets and Looker Studio, and be ready to discuss how you've used these tools to create impactful dashboards. Prepare examples that showcase your meticulous attention to detail and how you’ve turned complex data into actionable insights.

    ✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

    Be prepared to share specific instances where you've tackled ambiguous challenges. Think of examples where your resourcefulness shone through, especially in fast-paced environments. Highlight how you’ve collaborated with cross-functional teams to drive results and how your strategic mindset has led to successful outcomes.

    ✨Communicate Clearly and Persuasively

    Practice presenting your ideas clearly, as you'll need to convey complex data concepts to diverse audiences. Use simple language and relatable examples to ensure your insights are understood. Consider preparing a mini-presentation on a past project to demonstrate your communication skills during the interview.

    ✨Emphasise Your Ethical Approach to Data

    Given the importance of data integrity and user trust, be ready to discuss your 'Privacy by Design' mindset. Share how you ensure ethical data usage and maintain privacy controls. This will show that you not only understand the technical aspects but also the ethical implications of your work.

    Strategic Data & Operations Lead in Edinburgh
    SmartPA
    Location: Edinburgh

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