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.Required Experience:

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 (e.g. 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