Head of Data

ROLE OVERVIEW //

We are seeking a Head of Data to develop and lead our firm’s data strategy and to drive the strategic use of data across the business. Reporting to the Chief Information Officer (CIO), this role will be instrumental in leveraging data insights to support key business objectives, enhance decision-making, and improve operational efficiencies.

The Head of Data will ensure that data-driven initiatives align with our long-term business strategy. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in establishing a culture of data-driven decision-making, ensuring high-quality management information, and working closely with our Head of Innovation to develop a roadmap for AI, innovation and automation.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced data leader to shape and mature both how we capture data, its quality and how we use it.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES //

The key responsibilities of this role are set out below and there may be others which are not listed. You may be required on occasion to work outside our normal working hours of 9:30am to 5:30pm.

Data Strategy & Architecture

• Develop and execute a comprehensive data strategy (in collaboration with senior stakeholders) that aligns with the firm’s business goals (and its Data Principles), ensuring data - both structured and unstructured - is leveraged to drive commercial and operational value.
• Define the firm’s target data architecture, identifying master data sources and ensuring consistency of data definitions and taxonomy across business domains.
• Collaborate with the Head of Strategy and Architecture and the Head of Innovation, as well as key stakeholders across the firm to design and implement a modernised, cloud-based data landscape that supports analytics and AI-readiness.

Data Platforms & Products

• Oversee the firm’s data platform modernisation journey, ensuring scalable infrastructure and a single source for reporting and decision-making.
• Work with colleagues across the firm and with the Head of Business Systems to optimise the firm’s data platforms and ensure their seamless transition into ongoing support structures.
• Contribute to the development of strategic data products (e.g. client insights dashboards, matter analytics, KPI tools) in partnership with business teams, ensuring user adoption and alignment with governance standards.
• Contribute to the firm’s AI roadmap in collaboration with the Head of Innovation and senior stakeholders, including identifying priority use cases, infrastructure needs, and measurable outcomes.

Data Governance & Risk Management

• Lead the firm’s Data Governance function, establishing and chairing governance forums, defining roles (e.g. Data Owners, Stewards), and setting policies aligned with the firm’s Data Principles.
• Collaborate with the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) to conduct data risk assessments and ensure robust frameworks for data classification, access controls, encryption, and compliance with ISO 27001/Cyber Essentials Plus and client contractual agreements.
• Work with the CISO and the Legal Risk and Compliance team who are the firm’s authority on data compliance, including GDPR, SRA confidentiality standards, and records retention requirements
• Implement data lifecycle management policies including data retention, archival, and secure disposal, to ensure compliance and reduce operational risk. Oversee enterprise-wide data quality initiatives, defining data quality KPIs, supporting data cleansing and enrichment programmes, and ensuring effective Master Data Management (MDM).

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Work closely with senior leadership to identify and develop data-driven opportunities across the firm that align with strategic priorities, championing the value of data and its role in driving business transformation.
• Influence and guide current staff across departments who have responsibility for data input and those that manage data flows, improving accuracy and consistency at source.
• Co-ordinate a lean internal data governance function and leverage existing teams across the business.
• Act as a key liaison between technical and business teams, ensuring alignment between data capabilities and business needs.
• Facilitate cross-functional data forums to ensure business engagement and alignment throughout data initiatives.
• Drive change management and data literacy fostering a firm-wide understanding of the value and use of data.
• Define and enforce data and reporting standards, ensuring consistency and clarity across all data outputs.

Engagement & Vendor Management

• Represent the firm’s data function in engagements with external vendors, consultants, and peer networks
• Lead the negotiation and oversight of third-party data technology providers in collaboration with our Procurement team, ensuring solutions align with strategic, operational and financial objectives.

CANDIDATE PROFILE //

Candidates for this position must have:

Experience & Qualifications

• Extensive experience in data strategy development and execution, preferably within a legal, professional services, or corporate environment.
• Excellent understanding of data governance frameworks, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation.
• Proven knowledge of AI and automation initiatives with measurable business outcomes.
• Experience with SQL, data orchestration tools, and Power BI. Familiarity with cloud platforms such as Azure is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and communicate complex data concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to align data initiatives with business goals.
• Experience managing or influencing cross-functional teams and vendors to deliver change.

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional leadership and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to drive change and foster a data-driven culture.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical capabilities, with a focus on strategic thinking.
• Ability to balance technical expertise with business insight, ensuring data initiatives drive tangible value.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, capable of engaging both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proven delivery focus, with the ability to implement structured governance, define metrics, and track outcomes.
• Resilience and adaptability, with the ability to navigate a traditional environment and respond effectively to change.
• High level of professional integrity and confidentiality, with a strong commitment to ethical data practices.

We welcome applications irrespective of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, belief or marital status.