Head of Data

Head of Data Services

Permanent | Hybrid

We're delighted to be supporting a prestigious Higher Education institution, in recruiting a Head of Data Services to lead and develop its enterprise-wide data capabilities.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced data leader to shape theirs data strategy, lead multidisciplinary technical teams and play a pivotal role in delivering major digital transformation programmes.

The Opportunity

Reporting into IT Services, you'll lead four specialist functions covering Business Intelligence, Planning Analytics, Systems Integration and Database Administration, ensuring data services support its strategic and operational objectives.

Combining strategic leadership with operational oversight, you'll be responsible for:

• Leading the development and delivery of the data strategy and roadmap, aligning data capabilities with organisational priorities.
• Providing leadership, direction and development to multidisciplinary technical teams, fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture.
• Overseeing enterprise data platforms, business intelligence, reporting, integration and data warehousing services, ensuring their reliability, security and continuous improvement.
• Driving data governance, quality and accessibility, helping the University maximise the value of its data assets.
• Building strong relationships with senior stakeholders, translating complex business requirements into effective data solutions.
• Leading the delivery of significant data initiatives, managing priorities, resources, risks and dependencies.
• Evaluating emerging technologies and opportunities, including cloud data platforms, predictive analytics and AI.

Current Transformation Priorities

You'll join at an important time, with several major programmes underway, including:

• A significant Finance Systems Transformation programme, migrating the platform to the cloud.
• The implementation of modern enterprise integration and API management capabilities using Talend.
• The development of a new finance data warehouse and exploration of future cloud and hybrid data platforms.
• A wider Data and Insights Programme focused on improving data quality, governance, integration and strategic reporting.

About You

We're looking for an established data leader who combines strong technical understanding with strategic vision and excellent people management skills.

You'll bring:

• Significant experience leading multidisciplinary data services teams within a large, complex organisation.
• Strong knowledge of enterprise data warehousing, business intelligence, analytics, systems integration and API management.
• Experience overseeing major transformation programmes while maintaining effective operational services.
• A proven ability to develop teams, establish standards and drive service improvement.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the confidence to engage senior technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience of supplier management, data governance and developing strategic technology roadmaps.

Experience within Higher Education would be advantageous, but is not essential.

Importantly, this is a strategic leadership position rather than a hands-on technical role. We're looking for someone who can set direction, lead specialist teams and translate data capabilities into meaningful organisational outcomes.