Location: Hybrid (working from home and office)

Industry: Technology and Digital Transformation

Our client has experienced significant growth and is now scaling up its investment in technology to enhance customer engagement and operational efficiency. As part of this digital transformation, we are recruiting aHead of Datato lead the organization’s data strategy, governance, and analytics initiatives. This role is critical in ensuring the organization maximizes its data assets to support overall business goals and long-term growth.

Role Overview

As theHead of Data, you will be responsible for defining the data architecture, ensuring data integrity, and developing advanced analytics solutions to drive business insights and operational improvements. You will lead data management and analytics teams, work closely with various departments, and ensure data-driven decision-making is underpinned by accurate, timely, and well-organized information. Additionally, you will enforce data security and compliance policies, ensuring the responsible use of data across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Data Strategy & Governance: Develop and implement a comprehensive data strategy aligned with business goals and digital transformation. Establish robust data governance policies for data quality, integrity, privacy, and security.
• Advanced Analytics & Solutions: Lead the development of advanced analytics platforms, championing the use of data science, machine learning, and AI to drive innovation, efficiency, and informed decision-making across the company.
• Data Architecture: Oversee the design of the data architecture, ensuring it supports the organization’s current and future needs. Make decisions on data storage, processing technologies, and integration with existing systems.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with senior management, business leaders, and technical teams to identify data opportunities and provide actionable insights by transforming raw data into meaningful business metrics.
• Data Infrastructure: Design and maintain scalable data infrastructure to support efficient storage, processing, and retrieval of large-scale data sets. Implement tools for data analysis, reporting, and visualization.
• Compliance & Security: Ensure compliance with data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR) and industry standards, implementing strong data security measures to protect sensitive information.
• Leadership & Team Development: Lead and develop a high-performing data team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications & Experience

• Data Expertise: Strong background in data architecture, governance, and analytics, with a proven ability to deliver strategic data solutions that drive business value. Specific expertise in Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Data Lake, and Azure Databricks for large-scale data processing and analytics.
• Technical Proficiency: Extensive experience with cloud-based data platforms, particularly Microsoft Azure, including:
• Azure SQL Database and Azure Data Factory for ETL processes.
• Azure Data Lake Storage for scalable data storage.
• Azure Stream Analytics for real-time data processing.
• Azure Purview for data governance and compliance.
• Azure Machine Learning for predictive model building and deployment.
• Leadership: Demonstrated experience in leading and mentoring data teams, driving change, and aligning data strategies with business goals.
• Analytical & Strategic Thinking: Strong problem-solving abilities with a focus on utilizing Azure tools to drive business performance. Skilled in leveraging Power BI integrated with Azure for interactive reporting and visual analytics.
• Communication & Influence: Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into insights that non-technical stakeholders can understand.
• Certifications: Relevant certifications in Azure Data Engineering or Azure Solutions Architecture are highly desirable. Certifications in data management and analytics (e.g., DAMA, CDMP) are a plus.
• Global Experience: Experience in managing data strategies on a global scale, with knowledge of regional data regulations. Proficiency in using Azure Data Governance tools like Azure Purview to ensure compliance.
• Mobility: Willingness to travel to various business locations as needed.

What Our Client Offer

• Competitive salary with eligibility for the company bonus scheme (annual and quarterly payments).
• Medicash Scheme: Access to medical expense coverage, including 24-hour online GP services and discounted gym memberships.
• Pension scheme with contributions based on total earnings, not just salary.
• 24 days holiday + 8 Bank Holidays (with increasing entitlement based on long service).
• 3x annual salary life insurance (DIS).
• Ongoing support for development and training.
• Employee assistance program (EAP) with access to mental health first aiders.
• Employee discount scheme, providing discounts for supermarkets, high street shops, holidays, and more.
• Employee referral scheme.
• Hybrid working pattern, combining remote and office-based work.