Data and Analytics Lead

Your new company
You will be working for a market leading professional services organisation, who work with a range of clients, many of which are household names in their industries. With offices in the UK and across the globe, they have a global presence and are well respected for investing in long-term client relationships to achieve award-winning results. With a clear focus to key strategic objectives, they have increased revenue considerably in the last two years and project further growth and expansion. With a heavy emphasis on professional development and wellbeing, this organisation focusses on hiring people with personality and ambition, to meet their own and client goals.
Your new role
This is a new role, reporting to the Director of IT, which will have responsibility for devising and implementing a new data strategy for the firm. Initially, this will be a standalone role which will lead a virtual data team across various functional areas, and in time, will likely grow and a team will be recruited to directly support this area. This organisation is in the midst of a major technology transformation programme which began in 2020, and they have a number of large projects coming up over the next two years. In addition to supporting that work, they are looking for someone who can devise a data strategy, and help support the strategic priorities within it. Finally, this role will play a key role in how generative AI is approached and used, which is currently evolving as the technology does.
A key part of this role will be to review the accuracy and quality of the data they hold across the organisation, the integration between systems, the tools used to interrogate that data and what needs to be put in place to enable their vision. That is, to find opportunities to leverage data, to help make better decisions internally, and ultimately deliver better services to clients.
Duties and responsibilities:

Devise and implement the data strategy, to find opportunities to make better use of data internally, and to better support the delivery of existing and new services to clients.
· Define and oversee a firm wide Data Governance framework, and put plans and processes in place to clean up data and then maintain a high standard of accuracy and quality. · Work with system owners to ensure they're getting the best from their systems, and that they support the broader objectives around data. · Support the growth and development of the generative AI strategy, both by helping to identify and develop opportunities in this space, and by ensuring the quality and governance of data can support it. · Leadership of the virtual data team. · In time, management of the Data & Analytics team. · Act as a thought leader for data, both internally and externally. · Demonstrate leadership to help the organisation become more engaged with data and understand its importance at the point of capture and the potential outputs. · Develop and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders across the firm, at all levels, including fee earners and other business support staff. · Establish close working relationships with the wider IT team, in particular the 'Heads of', and the Solution and Infrastructure Architects. · Develop a personal profile in the external industry IT marketplace, to represent the firm as forward thinking and innovative in all aspects of data and technology. · Ensure your team are well-trained, well-organised, well-supported and properly supervised and motivated. Responsible for their performance management, training and development. · Manage staff appraisals and input into annual salary reviews. · Develop, coach and mentor direct reports within your function. · Be inclusive, collaborative and ensure a team ethic which promotes openness without judgement.
What you'll need to succeed
Knowledge, skills and experience
· Previous experience of working in a similar role, ideally in a professional services environment · Proven track record leading the establishment of an enterprise-wide capability for Metadata, Data Quality, Master/Reference Data and Data Model management. · Experience of end-to-end delivery of a data strategy, including securing investment, managing design and technology decisions, and overseeing implementation and embedding solutions. · Experience of developing a Data Governance Framework and Data Quality Management service.
Skills:
· Articulate communication/presentation skills, including the ability to influence senior management, and generate interest and buy-in for your product · Able to build effective relationships and network across the firm and externally with suppliers and sector contacts. · Proven data literacy - The ability to describe business use cases/outcomes, data sources and management concepts, and analytical approaches/options. The ability to translate among the languages used by executive, business, IT and other stakeholders. · Possesses a high degree of technical fluency and is able to demonstrate and communicate the practical application of this competence. · Strong vendor management skills. · Excellent project management skills. · Ability to work effectively in an environment where there are a number of competing pressures. · Self-motivated, willingness to take on challenges and adaptability to change and manage changing priorities. · Strong leadership and people management skills with demonstrable experience of training staff and leading by example. · Able to effectively negotiate with and influence colleagues. · Able to demonstrate excellent client/customer facing skills, with a good understanding of general business needs and service delivery. · Excellent problem diagnosis and analytical skills; with an ability to resolve issues effectively. · Able to work under pressure to tight deadlines or targets and can adapt to differing demands; prioritising tasks, where appropriate. · Methodical approach to work, with a strong focus on accuracy and quality. · Understands the need for documentation and well-defined procedures. · Can demonstrate confidence and resilience to overcome obstacles to deliver what is required. · Is proactive, demonstrates initiative and able to work well with minimal supervision. · Outstanding analytical and problem-solving abilities.
What you'll get in return
In return you will not only receive a competitive annual salary, but also the opportunity to devise and implement the firms data strategy and play an integral role in the direction the organisation takes with regards to it's use of data. This would be perfect for someone with technical hands on experience looking for an opportunity to step up into a leadership position, in which they can get more experience and exposure to the strategic direction of the business. The organisation also has a flexible approach to work, and discussions can be had about frequency of office attendance compared to home working. You will also get the opportunity to engage with some industry leading organisations that engage with the firm, becoming a thought leader within the sector.

What you need to do now

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