Head of Data Science & Performance

Bold innovation and leadership. Informed decision-making. Impacting the future.

Head of Data Science & Performance

£85,000 - £90,000 (+ Benefits)

Reports to: Director of Data, Insight & Performance

Department: Marketing, Fundraising & Engagement

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time 35 hours per week

Location: Stratford, London. Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office).

Visa sponsorship: Cancer Research UK can consider visa sponsorship for this vacancy. If this applies to you, please ensure that this is clearly marked on your application.

Closing date: 14 March 2025 23:55

This vacancy may close earlier if a high volume of applications is received or once a suitable candidate is found, therefore we strongly recommend that you apply early to avoid disappointment. If you require more time to apply as part of a reasonable adjustment, please contact recruitment@cancer.org.uk as soon as possible.

Recruitment process: One telephone interview followed by two competency-based interviews (the final stage will be face-to-face in our London office)

Interview date: From the week commencing 17 March 2025

How do I apply? We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won’t be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to fully complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly, and objectively.

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

We are professionals with purpose, beating cancer every day. But we need to go much further and much faster. That’s why we’re looking for someone talented, someone who wants to develop their skills, someone like you.

Cancer Research UK has a vision to bring about a world where everybody can lead longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer. However, to achieve our mission and grow our funding, we must build even greater momentum and urgency around our cause, and engage and inspire millions of people in deeper, more meaningful ways to join our mission. Therefore, we have created a long-term Engage Strategy and designed a bold transformation programme which aims to better harness data and digital marketing technology to deliver more relevant, trusted, and frictionless experiences for our audiences (and in turn drive growth).

As a Head of Data Science & Performance, you will play an essential role in helping us achieve this mission to place data and audiences at the core of our decision-making process. You will lead our Data Science, Analytics, and Reporting teams through a large data and technology transformation program within our Marketing, Fundraising and Engagement (MFE) directorate. This will involve providing technical support and leadership across a multidisciplinary team to leverage industry best practices for insights, analytics, and reporting. You will spearhead the transition from legacy systems to a robust, scalable, and future-fit tech stack, and develop a highly engaged and talented team of data professionals. Furthermore, you will be at the forefront of our data-driven journey, playing an influential role in creating and nurturing a strong data culture across MFE and the wider organisation.

If you are an experienced Head who has led data analysis and modelling functions in large, complex B2C marketing-led organisations with a digital-first approach, we’d love for you to join our mission.

What will I be doing?

• Supporting and leading the Data, Insight & Performance teams to leverage industry best practices in data and technology for insights, analytics, and reporting across the Marketing, Fundraising & Events (MFE) directorate.

• Supporting the Data, Insight & Performance teams in transitioning from legacy systems onto a robust, scalable, and future-fit tech stack.

• Collaborating closely with the Head of Data Strategy and Delivery, Consumer Insight & Experience, and Audience Strategy & Innovation teams to:

  • Create an agnostic, integrated view of performance centred on the supporter/consumer.

  • Validate opportunities for growth, development, and improvement.

• Proving leadership and expert guidance on data modelling initiatives while championing and validating demand across MFE.

  • This will involve supporting technical/operational capabilities for scaling and embedding into end-to-end BAU activities.

• Leading MFE on a journey towards increased automation reporting, ensuring strong data consistency and curation to facilitate self-serve reporting.

• Supporting the Digital Reporting team in enhancing the effectiveness of owned, paid, and earned media.

• Managing the Analytics team, ensuring repeat requests are identified and codified for automation, and resources focus on impactful value-add insights and deep dive projects.

• Providing senior technical expertise and guidance across data and modelling initiatives, ensuring adherence to industry best practices and compliance frameworks.

• Identifying and driving process improvements utilising new tools and techniques.

• Keeping abreast of new industry trends and developments, supporting team training, development, and trial adoption (including GenAI).

• Supporting the Data, Insight & Performance Director to enable a step change in data-led ways of working and culture across MFE

What skills will I need?

• Senior leadership experience at Head level, with a background leading data analysis and modelling functions in large, complex B2C marketing-led organisations with a digital-first approach.

• Expertise in technical coding language and data visualisation tools (e.g. SQL, Python, Snowflake, PowerBI, Databricks, GA) and experience implementing best practices, guidance, and standards.

• Experience using statistical analysis to understand and drive value from consumer behaviour (including setting up supervised & unsupervised learning models, data cleaning, data analytics, feature creation, model selection, performance metrics, and visualisations).

• Solid grounding in the principles and application of MLOps (e.g., Snowpark, MLFlow, Github) with experience in productionising and managing models.

• A successful track record of leading and developing high performing data insight teams (including managing, coaching, recruiting, and developing talent).

• Strong skills in managing, influencing, and communicating with stakeholders at all levels (including senior leadership). This includes:

  • Demonstrated credibility in partnering and collaborating cross-functionally, to implement data strategy in large, complex, matrixed organisations.

  • A proven track record of leading and influencing teams in dynamic, changing environments.

  • The ability to build efficient and scalable organisational structures, processes, and methodologies for data teams.

  • The ability to clearly and simply convey expertise and insight, engaging and empowering others to build their knowledge.

• An outward-looking and strategic approach, capable of bringing external trends and developments into the organisation to drive innovation and growth.

Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.

Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination  

Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism   

Human: Act to have a positive impact on people  

Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively

We’re looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.

If you’re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience we’d still love to hear from you.

What will I gain?

We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.

You can explore our benefits by visiting our careers web page.

Additional Information

For more information about working with us please visit our website or contact us at recruitment@cancer.org.uk.  

For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.

We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen. Please contact recruitment@cancer.org.uk or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possible. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.