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- Tasks: Lead the development and implementation of taxonomies for data-driven decision making.
- Company: Join a pivotal role in the UK Government's Migration & Borders System.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension contributions, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on digital change and improve data connectivity.
- Qualifications: Experience in taxonomy development and familiarity with semantic technologies required.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with diverse teams and excellent career advancement opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 62000 - 68320 £ per year.
As Head of Taxonomy, you will play a critical role in structuring, organising and governing information to ensure it is easily discoverable, consistent, and aligned with the Migration & Borders (M&B) System Outcomes. You will develop, implement, and advance the strategic approach to a Taxonomy service for M&B System, developing taxonomies and establishing the service offering to support data driven decision making across the department.
We are recruiting for the Head of Taxonomy for Migration and Borders (M&B) in the Data Excellence Capability (DEC), as part of the M&B System Leadership Directorate. This role is pivotal in setting how M&B approaches taxonomy, one of the most complex and highest profile parts of the UK Government.
This is a strategic and stretching role. The successful candidate will lead delivering taxonomies and embedding taxonomy best practice in projects across the M&B System, including resolving inconsistencies in terminology, reframing classification structures, identifying and rationalising overlapping hierarchies inherited from legacy systems or siloed business units and aligning/mapping classification standards between internal and external bodies to enable coherent data sharing and reporting.
You will have a demonstrable passion for digital change and adoption, with the following skills or proven experience in:
- Experience in taxonomy development, with the ability to embed changes effectively across a large data architecture. We welcome evidence from professional roles, projects, or academic work.
- Familiarity with taxonomy management tools (e.g., Synaptica, GraphWise, Graphologi) and knowledge in semantic standards (e.g., Simple Knowledge Organisation System, Web Ontology Language and Resource Description Framework or similar).
- Understanding of ontologies and semantic technologies (such as knowledge graphs or semantic layers) and their application to improve data connectivity and meaning.
- Experience working with language technologies, including natural language processing (NLP), large language models (LLMs), machine learning, or generative AI, or the ability to collaborate effectively on projects involving these technologies.
- Effective communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to explain complex topics clearly and inclusively to diverse audiences, including non-specialists and non-technical colleagues. Adapt communication style to meet diverse needs.
- Proven project and relationship management skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across diverse teams and systems to deliver change in a large and complex organisation.
Information Architect - Head of Taxonomy employer: UK Home Office
Contact Detail:
UK Home Office Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Information Architect - Head of Taxonomy
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. We recommend practising common interview questions and even role-playing with a friend. The more prepared you are, the more confident you'll feel when it’s your turn to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio or a presentation that highlights your experience in taxonomy development and data architecture. We want to see how you can bring value to the team, so don’t hold back!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Information Architect - Head of Taxonomy
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in taxonomy development and digital change. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Head of Taxonomy, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects or academic work!
Showcase Your Passion: We love candidates who are genuinely excited about digital transformation! Share examples of how you've contributed to similar initiatives in the past. This will help us see your enthusiasm for the role and the impact you can make.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to explain complex topics, especially if you're discussing taxonomy management tools or semantic technologies. Remember, we want to understand your expertise without getting lost in jargon!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at UK Home Office
✨Know Your Taxonomy Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in taxonomy development and management tools. Brush up on your knowledge of semantic standards and be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past roles or projects. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the concepts, but that you can also implement them effectively.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Prepare to explain complex topics in a way that’s easy for non-specialists to understand. Think about examples where you’ve had to adapt your communication style for different audiences. This will demonstrate your ability to engage stakeholders and ensure everyone is on the same page.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Digital Change
Be ready to share specific instances where you’ve driven digital change or adoption in your previous roles. Highlight your enthusiasm for emerging technologies like NLP or machine learning, and how you see them fitting into the future of taxonomy within the M&B System.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask you to solve hypothetical problems related to taxonomy and data architecture. Practice articulating your thought process and decision-making strategies. This will help you showcase your project management skills and your ability to navigate complex organisational challenges.
