Senior Data Strategist - Central Government - Inside IR35 - BPSS + SC Eligible

Senior Data Strategist - Central Government - £800+ Inside IR35

A central government department is seeking a Senior Data Strategist to lead the creation and implementation of its long-term data strategy. This role requires an experienced strategic leader who can work across multidisciplinary teams, engage senior stakeholders, and drive actionable data transformation within a complex, fast-paced government environment. You will shape a strategic data roadmap, define future operating and delivery models, embed governance frameworks, and address policy-level bottlenecks that limit data sharing across the organisation. The role requires strong strategic thinking, excellent communication skills, and experience implementing (not just writing) data strategies.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver an actionable data strategy aligned with organisational and ministerial priorities
• Lead strategic conversations with senior leadership to set long-term goals and embed priorities into the roadmap
• Design future operating models, delivery models, and data-related organisational structures.
• Build and implement data governance and assurance frameworks supporting trust, compliance, and high quality decision making
• Conduct evidence-based analysis (qualitative and quantitative) to inform policy and strategic direction
• Identify and address policy-level bottlenecks preventing effective cross-government data sharing
• Engage with senior stakeholders across Whitehall and external partners to drive collaboration
• Provide risk assessment and horizon scanning, particularly regarding the evolving AI landscape and how data must be structured to support responsible AI adoption
• Work closely with a small strategic team, contributing to long-term roadmap development and organisational alignment
• Support the organisation through periods of change while maintaining delivery focus and a positive strategic culture

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Strong experience driving, enabling, and implementing data strategies (not just authoring them)
• Understanding of policy level barriers to data sharing and how to shape strategic solutions
• Technical awareness of data delivery practices to ensure strategy is practical and implementable
• Deep understanding of how AI and emerging technologies influence data strategy design
• Background in data transformation, governance, and senior-level data leadership
• Experience working with the public sector or local government, ideally with proof of converting strategy into tangible outcomes
• Able to operate confidently in senior stakeholder environments and small, high-impact teams
• Comfortable working in a fast paced environment with critical deliverables
• BPSS required; SC-eligible (active SC clearance preferred)

Applications will be rejected if:

• The CV shows only strategy talk with no evidence of implementation.
• The candidate is not suited to fast-paced, high-delivery environments.

TL;DR

Job Title: Senior Data Strategist
Start Date: ASAP
Location: London (hybrid)
Contract Length: 6 months initially
Daily Rate: £800-£900
IR35 Status: Inside IR35
Clearance: BPSS + SC eligible