Searchlight Consulting
Head of Data
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Data Lead
Location: Hybrid (London / South East)
Salary: £90-95K plus package, including car allowance, health care, pension
Reporting to: CIO / Technology Director
The Opportunity
Our client is a large, multi-site UK organisation embarking on an ambitious technology and data transformation journey. As investment in data, analytics and AI accelerates, they are seeking an experienced Data Lead to build and lead a modern, business-focused data capability.
This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for shaping data strategy, establishing governance and data quality standards, developing reporting and analytics capabilities, and ensuring data becomes a trusted asset that drives operational performance, commercial decision-making and future growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Define and deliver the organisation's Data Strategy and roadmap.
- Establish enterprise-wide data governance, ownership and quality frameworks.
- Engage with business functions to establish and embed a data culture to enable data quality improvements.
- Lead the development of a scalable data platform, reporting environment and "single source of truth".
- Drive improvements in business intelligence, analytics and self-service reporting capabilities.
- Own master data management processes across key business domains.
- Partner with stakeholders across Finance, Operations, Commercial and Supply Chain functions to improve business performance through data.
- Support AI, automation and advanced analytics initiatives by building strong data foundations.
- Lead and develop internal data teams while managing external partners and technology vendors.
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Essential Experience
- Experience as a Data Manager, Head of Data, Data Governance Manager, Analytics Manager or similar leadership role.
- Proven experience developing and implementing enterprise-wide data strategies.
- Strong knowledge of data governance, master data management and data quality frameworks.
- Experience managing modern data platforms, data lakes, reporting and analytics environments.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with experience influencing senior business leaders.
- Experience in managing and delivering change associated with ERPs and Microsoft Analytics solutions.
- Experience leading data teams and third-party partners.
- Ability to combine strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.
- Experience within multi-site, operationally complex organisations.
- Exposure to distribution, logistics, supply chain, retail or manufacturing environments.
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Desirable
- Experience supporting acquisition-led businesses and transformation programmes.
- Knowledge of ERP-related data landscapes and master data governance.
- Experience with forecasting, inventory optimisation and operational analytics.
- Exposure to AI, automation and advanced analytics initiatives.
Why Apply?
This is a rare opportunity to shape and modernise an enterprise data capability from the ground up, working closely with senior leadership to improve decision-making, strengthen governance, unlock the value of data, and prepare the business for the next generation of analytics and AI-driven innovation.
This is a confidential appointment. Further information regarding the organisation will be shared with shortlisted candidates.
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