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Head of Data Operations and Governance, CANCER RESEARCH UK
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Head of Data Operations and Governance
About the Role
Department: COO (Chief Operating Office) Salary: £90,000 - £98,000 per annum plus benefits Contract: Permanent Hours: Full-time (flexible working arrangements available) Location: Stratford, London (office-based with high flexibility, typically 2 days per week in the office) Closing date: 7 July 2026 at 23:59
Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK does not offer visa sponsorship.
About Us
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. As professionals with purpose, we aim to push boundaries and accelerate progress. This exciting opportunity for a Head of Data Operations and Governance offers a chance to shape how we leverage data as a trusted, high-quality asset across the organisation.
The role will drive improvements in data quality, embed clear data ownership, and support better decision-making through accessible, reusable, and high-value data assets. This work will enhance our operational effectiveness, audience-centric interactions, and overall mission: to beat cancer.
This is an opportunity to learn and grow in an environment where you’ll connect with new people, develop creative problem-solving approaches, and collaborate with a team just as dedicated to changing lives.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Data Leadership
- Lead the development and implementation of a data quality framework to ensure accuracy, consistency, and relevance across critical datasets for operational and analytical use.
- Establish enterprise data standards and integration guidelines, reinforcing scalability and consistency within CRUK’s data and technology ecosystem—including MarTech platforms for audience engagement.
- Drive adoption of automation and AI-enabled approaches to detect, diagnose, and resolve data quality issues at scale.
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Data Governance & Ownership
- Define and embed a data ownership and stewardship model, ensuring accountability for data integrity, quality, and compliance.
- Develop and maintain a Business Information Model (BIM) to define core data entities, relationships, and usage, improving meta-data and data discovery.
Data Visibility & Operations
- Govern data discovery and observability capabilities, ensuring data assets are monitorable, understandable, and reusable across the organisation.
- Collaborate with the Data Privacy team to embed privacy-by-design principles into data systems and processes from the outset.
Team Leadership
- Design the team structure, roles, and operating model for Data Operations and Governance, ensuring a high-performing, mission-driven function.
Requirements
Experience & Skills
- Significant experience leading data governance, data quality, or data operations in complex organisations.
- Hands-on experience in designing and implementing data frameworks, catalogues, or Master Data Management (MDM) programs at scale.
- Expertise in establishing data ownership and stewardship models, including engaging senior stakeholders for accountability.
- Proven knowledge of UK GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018, and ability to apply privacy-by-design principles.
- Experience managing and developing multidisciplinary data teams, optimising organisational workflows.
- Strong ability to translate technical governance concepts into clear value propositions for non-technical audiences and executives.
- Problem-solving skills with a focus on root-cause analysis and sustainable remediation for data quality challenges.
- Collaborative leadership style, demonstrating influence over technical and non-technical stakeholders within a large, mission-driven organisation.
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Benefits
At Cancer Research UK, every role and individual makes a meaningful impact—whether through funding scientific research, implementing policy change, or driving organisational excellence. In return, we prioritise your well-being, career growth, and work-life balance.
- Generous retirement plan with a strong pension package.
- Flexible and inclusive benefits, including:
- Financial savings on travel, technology, and gym memberships.
- Extensive annual leave allowance.
- Support for personal development, with opportunities to upskill and evolve in your career.
- Strong emphasis on flexible working, reflecting our commitment to work-life harmony.
- Mission-driven culture, where every effort contributes to building a future where fewer people die from cancer.
application process
We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and operate an anonymised shortlisting process. While submitting a CV is mandatory for all applications (reviewed post-interview), we encourage candidates to complete the work history section of our online application form for an objective and efficient assessment.
For updates on our recruitment process, job openings, and our mission, explore our website or connect with us on:
We look forward to welcoming someone like you to Cancer Research UK.
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