Head of Data

This role is paramount for defining the cross-organisational data purpose and delivering a compelling vision and long-term strategy for data within the organisation. You will guide and assure the business to realise this strategy in line with future scientific, technical, and business capability requirements, and the aspirations of the wider sector’s data strategy.

Define the organisation's Data purpose, vision, strategy, and associated policy, process, and practices. Lead the creation (and assure the implementation and ongoing relevance) of the organisation’s data framework in partnership with the Chief Information Officer (CIO), and with direction from the Executive Leadership.

Establish, lead, and futureproof the Data system(s) requirement, ensuring an agile, future-focused delivery model with a clear long-term strategic vision that recognises the complex and uncertain nature of data.

Manage assurance of the organisation's data holdings in line with regulatory, statutory, departmental, and contractual requirements.

Design the data governance function for the organisation, providing governance, policy, assurance, access to data management specialist training, and in-depth technical support to upskill the entire organisation over time and in line with current best practice, leveraging cross-departmental skills.

 Essential Criteria

• Senior leadership, governance, and/or assurance experience within the data domain.
• Proven ability in influencing and developing relationships across all grades, both internally and externally.
• Experience of working within ambiguity to offer innovative solutions.
• Experience of creating a culture that is trusting, collaborative, innovative, diverse, and inclusive.
• Proven experience in defining and communicating a clear vision that aligns with organisational goals, inspiring teams and stakeholders to take action.
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategic vision into actionable goals and initiatives for a department or team.
• Experience in fostering teamwork within a department and cross-functional collaboration with other departments or external partners.
• A degree in science, mathematics, computer science, data science, information systems or a related field.