Head of Data

Role: Head of Data
Location: Milton Keynes (Hybrid - 2 Days On-site Weekly)
Salary: £50,000 - £60,000
Benefits: Bonus, Company Cars, Flexible Benefit Package

Network IT is recruiting for a Head of Data to join a leading automotive brand's UK IT function. In this senior role, you'll lead a high-performing data management team, drive technical delivery across enterprise data platforms, and ensure compliance, scalability, and performance within a global standards-based ecosystem.
Reporting to the Head of IT, you'll take ownership of operational excellence, stakeholder engagement, and vendor performance across a broad data estate including Azure Data Factory and Data Lake technologies. The role will combine hands-on technical understanding with strategic planning, people leadership, and commercial management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage a data-focused IT team, driving delivery excellence across operational support, change and innovation.
• Act as the key liaison between IT and business stakeholders, aligning data solutions with strategic business goals.
• Own delivery and integration of enterprise data pipelines and platforms, ensuring stability and scalability.
• Maintain rock-solid operational standards, aligned with ITIL, ISO27001, and internal security policies.
• Shape and influence data architecture, process standards, and reusable frameworks including AI and RPA capabilities.
• Oversee vendor management and service contracts, ensuring SLA performance and ongoing value delivery.
• Drive adoption of planning culture, managing delivery timelines, resource utilisation, and budgets (circa £2m+).
• Promote compliance, data governance, and continuous improvement across all data management activities.
• Provide leadership and coaching to direct reports and indirect teams, fostering a high-performance culture.

• 7+ years in IT consulting or technical leadership roles, ideally within complex enterprise environments.
• Strong experience in IT service management, strategy planning, and business process alignment.
• Hands-on knowledge of Azure Data Factory, Data Lake, and data pipeline architecture.
• Proven experience managing data security, access, and regulatory compliance.
• Familiarity with automation tools (AI, RPA) and Agile project delivery (eg Scrum, Kanban).
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and third-party vendors, with accountability for SLA and budget management.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication, and negotiation skills.
• First degree in an IT-related discipline.