Head of Data Operations & Governance

Head of Data Operations & Governance - Contract Location: London / Hybrid Contract: 6 months IR35: Inside IR35 Rate: Competitive

We're looking for an experienced Head of Data Operations & Governance to lead and develop an organisation-wide data governance capability within a major transformation environment. This is as much a change and transformation role as it is a data governance role . You'll work closely with senior stakeholders across the organisation to improve how data is owned, understood and managed, linking good data governance directly to business outcomes.

What you'll be doing

• Establish and embed data ownership and stewardship across critical datasets.
• Develop and implement data quality frameworks, standards and governance processes .
• Lead and develop an existing Data Operations & Governance team .
• Drive improvements across data cataloguing, discovery, lineage and observability .
• Support major transformation programmes and the adoption of AI and automation .
• Work closely with Data Architecture, Engineering, Privacy and senior business stakeholders.
• Translate complex data issues into clear business outcomes and drive organisation-wide engagement.

What we're looking for

• Strong Data Governance, Data Quality or Data Operations leadership experience.
• Experience implementing data ownership and stewardship models .
• Strong understanding of data quality frameworks and modern governance/cataloguing tooling.
• Experience leading and developing data teams.
• Enough technical understanding to work credibly with Data Architects and Engineers.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills.
• A strong change and transformation mindset , with the ability to bring people on the journey rather than simply implement governance processes.