St. James's Place
Head of Data Delivery
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With our refreshed strategy, we’re building on our rich heritage and transforming our business to be more scalable and efficient, unlocking the capabilities needed for future success. This includes significantly investing in technology, streamlining the way we work and creating an environment where colleagues feel engaged, empowered and accountable; where they can show up, speak up and perform - because we believe in the difference our work makes.
At a glance:
- Location: Cirencester Office
- Workplace Type: Hybrid
- Employment Type: Permanent
- Seniority: Mid-Senior Level
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and inspiring Head of Data Delivery to lead the delivery of our data products, services, and transformation initiatives.
You will be responsible for creating and implementing the vision, operating model, governance framework, and delivery approach that enables the successful execution of data initiatives across the organisation.
This role requires a highly collaborative leader who can balance strategic thinking with operational execution, building high-performing teams while ensuring robust governance, effective prioritisation, and successful delivery across a complex and evolving data landscape.
What You'll Be Doing
Deliver Data Products and Services
- Lead the end-to-end delivery of data demand ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.
- Define and embed a scalable Data Delivery operating model that supports product-led, Agile, and hybrid delivery approaches.
- Ensure delivery teams are organised, empowered, and equipped to consistently deliver high-quality solutions.
- Drive the successful delivery of data demand that enables trusted, timely, and valuable insights.
- Ensure data solutions are scalable, reusable, secure, and aligned with architecture, engineering, and platform standards.
- Develop a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement across the delivery function.
Govern Data Delivery
- Establish and maintain robust governance frameworks covering demand management, prioritisation, impact assessment, planning, execution, reporting, and benefits realisation.
- Define and enforce delivery standards, controls, and best practices to ensure consistency and predictability across all initiatives.
- Provide clear visibility of progress, risks, dependencies, issues, and outcomes to senior stakeholders and leadership teams.
- Ensure alignment across Data Delivery, Data Platform, Data Engineering, Data Architecture, Data Governance, Data Quality, Data Acquisition, Data Insights, and broader business value streams.
- Maintain oversight of delivery activities to ensure compliance with regulatory, security, risk, and governance requirements.
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on delivery strategy, capability development, and operational effectiveness.
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Manage Delivery Performance
- Ensure delivery commitments are achieved against agreed timelines, quality standards, budgets, and business outcomes.
- Establish, monitor, and report on delivery targets, metrics, and performance indicators.
- Proactively manage risks, dependencies, resource constraints, and critical issues across the portfolio.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance delivery effectiveness, efficiency, quality, and stakeholder satisfaction.
- Promote data-driven decision-making through transparent reporting and performance management.
About You
We are looking for an experienced Head of Data Delivery who combines strong delivery expertise with exceptional people leadership skills. You will have a proven track record of building and leading high-performing teams, deliver complex data programmes, and driving meaningful business outcomes through effective data delivery practices.
You are a strategic thinker who can translate long-term objectives into practical delivery plans while maintaining focus on execution, governance, quality, and stakeholder engagement. You enjoy working across business and technology functions, building trusted relationships and influencing at senior levels.
You will bring a passion for data, transformation, and continuous improvement, alongside the ability to create an environment where teams can thrive, innovate, and consistently deliver value.
Essential Criteria
- Experience leading enterprise-scale data delivery, data engineering, platform, or transformation functions.
- Proven track record of defining and implementing delivery strategies, operating models, and governance frameworks.
- Strong understanding of modern data platforms, data engineering principles, data products, and cloud-based architectures.
- Experience delivering complex data transformation programmes and leading large delivery portfolios.
- Establishing delivery governance, controls, KPIs, and performance management frameworks.
- Exceptional communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills, including engagement at Executive and Board level.
- Strong commercial awareness and ability to align delivery outcomes with organisational objectives.
- Experience driving organisational change, capability development, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Thorough understanding of data governance, security, risk management, and regulatory compliance requirements.
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Desirable Criteria
- Experience within Financial Services or Wealth Management
- Experience leading large-scale data platform
- Familiarity with data governance, metadata management, data lineage, master data management, and data quality frameworks.
- Experience working within product-based operating models and value stream organisations.
What's in it for you?
Whatever stage of life you're in, our benefits are designed to provide the support, flexibility, and peace of mind you need to thrive both at work and beyond.
In addition to our discretionary annual bonus scheme, which reflects both individual and company performance, you'll benefit from a market-leading benefits package tailored to support your wellbeing, financial security, and family life.
Our benefits include:
- 28 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase up to 5 additional days.
- Private Medical Insurance – company-funded cover for you and your immediate family
- Generous Pension Scheme – a non-contributory employer contribution of 10%, increasing with length of service up to 15%, plus the opportunity to increase this through salary sacrifice
- Enhanced Parental Leave – up to 26 weeks' full pay to support growing families.
- Protection Benefits – company-funded critical illness cover, income protection, and life assurance
- EV salary sacrifice scheme through Tusker
Reasonable Adjustments
We're an equal opportunities employer and want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive for all. If you require reasonable adjustment(s) at any stage, please let us know by emailing us at careers@sjp.co.uk
Research tells us that applicants (especially those from underrepresented groups) can be put off from applying for a role if they do not meet all the criteria or have been on an extended career-break. If you think you would be a good match for this role and can demonstrate some transferable experience, please apply, regardless of whether you tick every box.
What's next?
If you're excited about this role and believe you have the skills and experience we're looking for, we'd love to hear from you! Please submit an application by clicking ‘apply’ below and our team will be in touch.
As a business regulated by the FCA, we would advise you to familiarise yourself with the conduct regulations and in particular consumer duty obligations prior to an interview with SJP.
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