Head of Data Practice

England-Wiltshire-Swindon

Full Time Executive-level / Director Clearance required GBP 68K

UK Research and Innovation

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Posted 6 hours ago

Head of Data Practice - (24000146)

Description

Head of Data Practice

UK Research and Innovation

Salary: £68,525
Hours: Full time/Part Time (Minimum of 0.8 FTE)
Contract Type: Open Ended.
Location: Polaris House, Swindon (Hybrid working available)

Closing date: Sunday 9th February 2025

Purpose

We are seeking a Head of Data Practice to lead new activities within the UKRI data centre of expertise created by the UKRI Chief Data Officer. The centre works with data owners and data stewards across UKRI to optimise the use of operational data, identifying efficient methods to organize, describe, govern and access data while maintaining security and confidentiality measures. The goal is to build effective data practices across UKRI, address long-standing data quality concerns with UKRI data, and thereby ensure UKRI can maximise the value from its data. The Head of Data Practice will be able to explain to stakeholders the impact that changes are making to data quality (completeness and accuracy) and the benefits these bring to UKRI.

UKRI has chosen to assemble a matrix-managed team to address this challenge, with resources shared from across UKRI. A major function of the new role is to be able to effectively establish the processes to identify, prioritise and assign work to team members, matching the tasks to the diverse skills available. You may need to negotiate with the constituent Councils and functions of UKRI to ensure that sufficient resources continue to be available for peaks of work and more significant projects. With exceptional technical expertise you will quickly be familiar with the detail of UKRI data management requirements, the relevant data platforms and data analysis procedures used by UKRI. You should possess exceptional troubleshooting abilities, as well as have an ability to bring together subject matter experts across the business to identify changes that will bring most benefit to UKRI. Good inter-personal skills in maintaining positive relationships across UKRI are essential.

You will help data owners fulfil their accountabilities, including the seamless and secure flow of information within and outside the organization, guaranteeing timely access and delivery of data. By implementing effective data management practices and having a detailed understanding of data quality across UKRI, you will contribute to the overall success of our organization and be a key driver in optimizing our data systems, unlocking valuable insights, and supporting data-driven decision-making processes.

You will contribute to encouraging valuing data as a business asset and work with the key stakeholders to mature data literacy and capability as UKRI examines ways to modernise and embed a culture of data excellence across UKRI. You will inform and influence the wider UKRI Data Strategy by instigating change and best practice across the organisation. The post holder will take a lead in establishing a vibrant UKRI data and information community of practice that will catalyse cultural change throughout the organisation to embrace agile data delivery, reporting and data-led decision taking as our data maturity improves and trust in UKRI data is strengthened.

Key Relationships: Will work with all UKRI councils and functions, as all rely on high quality data. Key interactions will be with the Data Delivery Group, Data Services products and services, Chief Data Officer, Data Owners, Data Stewards, and Data Champions

Budget responsibility: - None. Will provide influence, expertise, and direction on the best place to spend money on data related processes, tooling, and technology.

Main outputs and activities

Is accountable for compliance with and the continuous improvement of the UKRI data governance framework.
Has overall vision and oversight of enterprise data management activity
Monitors data quality and provides recommendations facilitating its improvement.
Identifies, documents and reports on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) supporting the delivery against the Data Management Policy and associated framework.
Builds and maintain good working relationships across data teams and other key stakeholders across UKRI to achieve shared goals.
Raises the profile of UKRI’s data competence with Government Stakeholders, building our reputation for high quality data management to assist delivery and decision making.
Is aware of the contemporary technology landscape within UKRI and bring leading data change and process optimisation practices to an organisation to drive sustainable improvements in business performance.
Supports the Data Council (which convenes all data owners on a quarterly basis)
Chairs the Data Working Group that assembles a wider UKRI group of experts to prioritise and discuss solutions to data management issues.
Reviews approaches, guidelines and processes relating to data governance, metadata, data quality, reference and master data, data lifecycle, change management and project framework compliance.
Aligns activity to the data strategy and monitors the implementation of the data management aspects of the Data Strategy across the organisation.
Supports the identification, application and overall maturing of data ownership in UKRI.
Advises on and monitors delivery of Data Owner responsibilities.
Aligns with and advises the Data Protection Officer and data security function on data management and governance activities, processes, and strategy.

Shortlisting criteria

Proven and established experience as a data professional, having delivered data quality improvements from both business process and cultural changes in a complex operational environment.
Familiarity with modern database and information system technologies, data management approaches and cloud computing.
Experience in continuous improvement and root cause analysis resulting in improved services.
Experience leading and motivating high performing teams.
Hands on experience with data governance and management tooling with the Talend toolset an advantage.
Familiarity with data maturity assessments and using these to track changes across the organisation.
Previous exposure to the research or academic sectors is a benefit.

Interview criteria

Excellent understanding of data administration and management functions (collection, analysis, distribution etc.)
An analytical mindset with problem-solving skills.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
Strong interpersonal skills utilised to negotiate, build and maintain effective working relationships with technical and non-technical, internal and external stakeholders.
Self-driven and highly competent individual to influence our organization towards favourable growth, and to support and enhance our data goals and objectives in making UKRI a 1st Class organisation.
Innovative and forward-thinker who can take their ideas and manage those ideas through from inception to implementation.
Good planning and organizational skills, able to manage multiple competing priorities.

Assessed at both shortlisting and interview

Experience using data profiling and process automation to manage and support data governance and data quality improvements. Analytical and problem-solving skills to identify patterns and trends in data, as well as to address data-related challenges and issues.
Confident using the relevant statutory frameworks such as the GDPR and other data privacy regulations to drive good data management practice.

Qualifications

About UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI launched in April 2018, UKRI is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

Our organisation brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England, which is responsible for supporting research and knowledge exchange at higher education institutions in England, and the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK. Together we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit Benefits of working for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.