Principal Data Strategist

Principal Data Strategist

Manchester Full-Time 72000 - 108000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
T

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Collaborate with clients to create impactful data strategies and solutions.
  • Company: Join Thoughtworks, a leading tech consultancy revolutionising the industry.
  • Benefits: Flexible career development, supportive culture, and opportunities for continuous learning.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference by helping businesses harness the power of data.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in data strategy, consulting, and stakeholder management.
  • Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on innovation and collaboration.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.

Overview

Principal Data Strategist — Manchester, United Kingdom

Note: This job description has been refined for clarity and formatting.

Responsibilities

  • You will collaborate closely with clients to understand their business ecosystem and goals, and leverage this understanding to co-create data and technology strategies aligned with their objectives.
  • You will help define a clear vision for the client enterprise to become data-driven and aligned with the overall business strategy.
  • You will also consult on complex data programs, providing technical leadership and guidance as a data subject matter expert.
  • You will lead and interact with clients across various domains, addressing a spectrum of challenging problems, and collaborate with sales to turn them into viable solutions.
  • You will leverage your expertise to act as a translator between business, data and IT, and communicate data strategy to senior client stakeholders, including C-level.
  • You will own the creation of end-to-end viable data solutions keeping in mind long-term impacts and overseeing program inceptions for new product development.
  • You will be responsible for formulating data governance strategies addressing security, privacy and compliance requirements.
  • You will enable capability building in data strategy and governance, growing the next generation of data strategists.
  • You will create differentiated assets in data strategy and governance to take to market.
  • You will represent Thoughtworks in various online and offline forums, including events and conferences.

Qualifications

Technical Skills

  • You might have experience with streaming analytics.
  • You might have experience with cloud platforms such as Azure or GCP.
  • You might have experience with data warehousing and analytics platforms like Snowflake or Databricks.
  • You have extensive experience as a consultant, with a proven track record of creating data strategy and solutions that drive business value.
  • You have solid experience with data platforms and technologies.
  • You have experience in providing advisory and consultative guidance for clients and cross-delivery teams.
  • You have experience in engaging with C-level stakeholders to influence and enable the operationalization of an enterprise-wide data strategy.
  • You have demonstrated leadership abilities, with the capacity to lead technical teams and drive projects to successful completion.
  • You are flexible and adaptable to work on a variety of projects, leveraging technical expertise and leadership skills to maximize impact.
  • You have a track record of ensuring proper data governance policies, including data lineage, quality checks and classification.
  • You are familiar with AI and ML use cases and landscapes to influence the build of the right solutions to harness insights from data.
  • You have experience in building high-level solution frameworks, leveraging various paradigms such as data-as-a-product, federated governance, et al, where needed.
  • You have experience with data governance, data security and data privacy supporting business requirements.

Professional Skills

  • You must have extensive pre-sales experience and a proven ability to independently drive complex pursuits and create winning commercial proposals.
  • You understand the importance of stakeholder management and can easily liaise between clients and other key stakeholders throughout projects, ensuring buy-in and gaining trust along the way.
  • You are resilient in ambiguous situations and can adapt your role to approach challenges from multiple perspectives.
  • You don’t shy away from risks or conflicts, instead you take them on and skillfully manage them.
  • You coach, mentor and motivate others and you aspire to influence teammates to take positive action and accountability for their work.
  • You enjoy influencing others and always advocate for technical excellence while being open to change when needed.
  • Cultivating strong partnerships comes naturally to you; You understand the importance of relationship building and how it can bring new opportunities to our business.

Other things to know

Learning & Development

There is no one-size-fits-all career path at Thoughtworks: however you want to develop your career is entirely up to you. But we also balance autonomy with the strength of our cultivation culture. This means your career is supported by interactive tools, numerous development programs and teammates who want to help you grow. We see value in helping each other be our best and that extends to empowering our employees in their career journeys.

Job Details

Country: United Kingdom

City: Manchester

Date Posted: 01-15-2026

Industry: Information Technology

Employment Type: Employee

About Thoughtworks

Thoughtworks is a dynamic and inclusive community of bright and supportive colleagues who are revolutionizing tech. As a leading technology consultancy, we’re pushing boundaries through our purposeful and impactful work. For 30+ years, we’ve delivered extraordinary impact together with our clients by helping them solve complex business problems with technology as the differentiator. Bring your brilliant expertise and commitment for continuous learning to Thoughtworks. Together, let’s be extraordinary.

Principal Data Strategists at Thoughtworks are experienced consultants who work with clients to create winning data solutions that meet business goals. They play a pivotal role in developing modern data architecture approaches that directly address our clients\\\’ key business objectives. Their responsibilities span from conducting in-depth reviews of current data and technology strategy and coming up with targeted data strategy, guiding clients to unlock the full potential of data and providing high-level road-maps. This role entails a mix of advisory responsibilities in data strategy and governance, coupled with a solid delivery lead role and a breadth of data and AI ecosystem expertise.

Hybrid Model: This role offers flexibility with no mandatory daily office requirement. However, due to our commitment to client proximity, candidates should expect an on-site presence of 20-40% (at client or office locations), depending on project needs.

J-18808-Ljbffr

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Principal Data Strategist employer: Thoughtworks Inc.

At Thoughtworks, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture in Manchester that fosters collaboration and innovation. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through tailored development programmes and a supportive community that encourages continuous learning. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the tech industry while enjoying the unique advantages of working in a dynamic consultancy that values your expertise and aspirations.
T

Contact Detail:

Thoughtworks Inc. Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Data Strategist

✨Network Like a Pro

Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, webinars, or even local meetups. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.

✨Show Off Your Expertise

Don’t just talk about your skills; demonstrate them! Share insights on platforms like LinkedIn or write articles about data strategy. This not only showcases your knowledge but also positions you as a thought leader in the field.

✨Ace the Interview

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its challenges. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around data governance and strategy. Practice common questions and have your own ready to ask!

✨Apply Through Our Website

When you find a role that excites you, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Thoughtworks.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Data Strategist

Data Strategy Development
Technical Leadership
Stakeholder Management
Data Governance
Data Security
Data Privacy
AI and ML Knowledge
Solution Framework Building
Consultative Guidance
Project Management
Adaptability
Coaching and Mentoring
Relationship Building
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Principal Data Strategist role. Highlight your experience with data strategy and governance, and how it aligns with our mission at StudySmarter. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!

Showcase Your Expertise: Don’t hold back on sharing your technical skills and experiences! Whether it's your work with data platforms or your ability to engage with C-level stakeholders, we want to know how you've made an impact in previous roles. This is your chance to shine!

Be Authentic: Let your personality come through in your application. We’re looking for someone who fits into our dynamic and inclusive culture at StudySmarter. Share your passion for data and technology, and how you’ve navigated challenges in your career.

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’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our community at StudySmarter!

How to prepare for a job interview at Thoughtworks Inc.

✨Know Your Data Inside Out

As a Principal Data Strategist, you’ll need to demonstrate your expertise in data platforms and technologies. Brush up on the latest trends in AI and ML, and be ready to discuss how these can be leveraged to create impactful data solutions for clients.

✨Master Stakeholder Communication

You’ll be liaising with C-level stakeholders, so practice articulating complex data strategies in simple terms. Prepare examples of how you've successfully influenced decision-makers in past roles, showcasing your ability to bridge the gap between business and technical teams.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Expect questions about your leadership style and experience. Be prepared to share specific instances where you’ve led technical teams or projects to success, highlighting your ability to motivate and mentor others while navigating challenges.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Given the nature of the role, you might face scenario-based questions that test your problem-solving skills. Think through potential challenges you could encounter in a client engagement and how you would address them, particularly around data governance and compliance.

Principal Data Strategist
Thoughtworks Inc.
Location: Manchester

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

T
Similar positions in other companies
UK’s top job board for Gen Z
discover-jobs-cta
Discover now
>