Data Strategy Manager in Milton Keynes

Data Strategy Manager in Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes Full-Time 68000 - 102000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the data strategy and drive transformation at VWFS.
  • Company: Join a forward-thinking team at Volkswagen Financial Services.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus, pension, and flexible working options.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of data and make a real impact in the financial services sector.
  • Qualifications: Experience in data management and strong communication skills are essential.
  • Other info: Access to professional development and a culture that values diversity and inclusion.

The predicted salary is between 68000 - 102000 £ per year.

Salary: Up to £85,000 pa dependent on experience.

Location: Milton Keynes, MK15 8HG.

Hybrid Working: Our current hybrid working policy requires a minimum of 60% of working time to be based in the Milton Keynes office. Flexibility is expected to meet the needs of the business and the role.

Hours / Contract Type: Full Time Permanent – 35 hours per week.

Closing Date: 13/02/2026.

Shape the future of data at VWFS. Drive strategy. Inspire culture. Deliver transformation. We’re searching for a Data Strategy Manager who’s ready to take the lead in shaping, executing and managing the organisation’s data strategy. This influential role sits at the heart of our transformation, ensuring data is managed and used to unlock value, accelerate innovation and support strategic decision making across the enterprise.

Working closely with the Head of Data and collaborating with functions across the business, you’ll guide our vision, steer data driven change, and champion a culture where everyone has the confidence and capability to use data well.

What you’ll be doing:

  • Operate across both Volkswagen Financial Services (UK) Ltd. and VW Bank GmbH, complying with all applicable FCA, ECB, PRA and EOHB regulatory requirements.
  • Lead the design and delivery of a comprehensive data strategy and multiyear roadmap.
  • Ensure strong alignment with business goals and secure stakeholder buy-in for investment, budget and headcount.
  • Drive data literacy across the organisation, shaping training and engagement programmes tailored to different data personas and fostering a culture of curiosity, capability and accountability.
  • Champion and strengthen data culture, assessing and enhancing skills and capabilities across the data team, analyst community and wider organisation through targeted learning pathways and external partnerships.
  • Oversee demand management processes, building robust business cases for strategic investment and identifying opportunities for data monetisation, supported by clear KPIs.
  • Manage a portfolio of data-driven change, including the data transformation programme and data delivery within strategic programmes and product teams.
  • Ensure alignment with organisational governance, project and programme management frameworks, and all relevant controls.
  • Oversee enterprise data risks, managing the Data team’s risk and control self-assessment and ensuring effective tracking and mitigation.
  • Lead key data forums and committees, acting as secretariat and deputising for the Head of Data as required, ensuring alignment with VWFS UK and VWG governance structures.

What You’ll Bring:

A full job description is available on request. You’re a seasoned data professional with the credibility and communication skills to influence at every level. You’ll combine strategic thinking with hands-on delivery experience and a passion for building strong data culture.

Essential Experience & Skills:

  • Proven project and programme management experience, delivering complex data or change initiatives using both waterfall and agile methodologies.
  • Broad understanding of modern data capabilities, including BI/performance reporting, analytics, data governance, information governance, data architecture, data platforms and data engineering.
  • Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to build trusted relationships that drive decision-making and influence outcomes.
  • Experience within Financial Services or a regulated environment.
  • Commercial acumen and strategic thinking with the ability to translate ideas into compelling propositions.
  • Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor communications for multiple stakeholder groups; convey specialist concepts in simple terms through a range of techniques and present effectively to board-level.
  • High proficiency with MS Office, particularly PowerPoint.

Desirable:

  • Experience leading data culture or data literacy initiatives.
  • Qualification in data management, business analytics, or similar.
  • Experience in Automotive Finance or consumer finance (B2C or B2B).
  • SAFe or equivalent agile certification.
  • Programme management certification (e.g., MSP).

What’s in it for you?

  • Bonus: Discretionary 10% on-target bonus (based on personal and Group company performance).
  • Pension: Employer pension contribution of 9% (based on employee contribution of 3%). VWFS will pay 6% if employee chooses a 2% employee contribution.
  • Car schemes: Choice of Employee Car Ownership (ECO) scheme for petrol/diesel and hybrid vehicles plus car insurance and fuel card. OR Company Car scheme for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) plus car insurance cover for you and a partner/eligible family member.
  • Other benefits: From day 1 we provide income protection, life assurance (4x salary), retail discount vouchers, access to Care Concierge, along with other salary sacrifice options including a will writing service and cycle to work (subject to scheme restrictions).
  • Following successful completion of probation, you will have access to private medical insurance for you (with the option to buy additional family cover), access to our loan car scheme for up to 2 cars for your partner or eligible family members (subject to scheme restrictions) and during our annual benefit window you can purchase critical illness cover and dental cover, so you can select the benefits that matter to you.
  • We invest in our people and are passionate about driving development. You’ll have access to LinkedIn Learning via our Degreed platform as well as a host of professional development programmes and opportunities to build your technical and soft skills so you can further develop your career. We also offer mentoring schemes and reciprocal partnerships recognizing that we can all learn from each other in the flow of work.

Why join VWFS UK?

You’ll have the opportunity to make a difference by helping us to achieve our mission. Our mission is straightforward; we want to be 'The Key to Mobility'. That means we make getting from A-to-B as easy and simple for as many people as possible. To truly meet the mobility needs of people in a changing world, our offering goes beyond traditional vehicle financing. We do this by providing a range of finance and aftersales products on Volkswagen Group vehicles, as well as developing innovative mobility products designed to solve real problems and support our customers. Data is recognised as one of the key dimensions of our corporate strategy and underpins many of the strategic outcomes that we plan to achieve.

No candidate will meet every single desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we’ve identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we’d love to learn more about you! VWFS is proud to be an inclusive employer and encourages applications from a diverse range of candidates. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion isn’t just a statement for us; we encourage and aspire for all our colleagues to be their 100% self. If you need any reasonable adjustments to assist you with the application and/or recruitment processes, please contact our Resourcing Team.

Data Strategy Manager in Milton Keynes employer: Volkswagen Financial Services (UK)

At Volkswagen Financial Services UK, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration. Located in Milton Keynes, our hybrid working model offers flexibility while ensuring you are at the heart of our data transformation journey. With a strong commitment to employee development, competitive benefits including a discretionary bonus, and a focus on diversity and inclusion, we empower our team members to thrive and make a meaningful impact in the financial services sector.
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Contact Detail:

Volkswagen Financial Services (UK) Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Data Strategy Manager in Milton Keynes

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the data field, especially those at VWFS. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you an interview.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by diving deep into VWFS's data culture. Understand their current projects and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just a fit, but the perfect fit!

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've driven data strategy or change in previous roles. Make it relatable and impactful – they want to see your passion for data!

✨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 serious about joining the VWFS team and contributing to their mission.

We think you need these skills to ace Data Strategy Manager in Milton Keynes

Project Management
Programme Management
Data Strategy Development
Stakeholder Management
Data Governance
Data Literacy Initiatives
Communication Skills
Analytical Skills
Agile Methodologies
Waterfall Methodologies
Data Architecture
Business Intelligence
Commercial Acumen
Change Management
Risk Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in data strategy and management. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.

Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; provide examples of how you've used them in previous roles. Whether it's project management or driving data culture, we want to see how you’ve made an impact.

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and get straight to the point about your achievements and how they relate to the role.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it’s super easy!

How to prepare for a job interview at Volkswagen Financial Services (UK)

✨Know Your Data Inside Out

As a Data Strategy Manager, you’ll need to demonstrate a solid understanding of data capabilities. Brush up on BI, analytics, and data governance concepts. Be ready to discuss how these elements can drive strategic decision-making in the financial services sector.

✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills

This role requires strong stakeholder management abilities. Prepare examples of how you've built trusted relationships and influenced outcomes in previous roles. Think about specific instances where your communication skills made a difference.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that assess your project and programme management experience. Be ready to discuss complex data initiatives you've led, including the methodologies used. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.

✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Data Culture

The company is looking for someone who can champion data culture. Share your experiences in leading data literacy initiatives or training programmes. Highlight how you’ve fostered a culture of curiosity and accountability in past roles.

Data Strategy Manager in Milton Keynes
Volkswagen Financial Services (UK)
Location: Milton Keynes

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