Data Programme Manager

Job description

Job Title: Data Programme Manager

Location: Any Deloitte office location outside London (e.g. Birmingham, Leeds, Cardiff, Manchester), travel to London is on an adhoc basis

Duration: 12 months

Contract Start Date: ASAP

Day Rate: Competitive (inside IR35)

Deloitte

Working with the Deloitte Associate (Contractor) Programme means we can offer you the opportunity to work on a variation of industry and client related projects. Our aim is to retain the best talent and so when your project end date nears our team of Talent Community Advisors will be working with you to look at alternative projects within the firm that suit your experience should you wish to continue with Deloitte.

Role Purpose

We are looking for a highly experienced and robust Data Programme Manager to lead a strategic programme focused on building an "AI-ready data landscape". You will oversee the implementation of various data tools, driving extensive data cleansing activities, establish robust data governance to ensure our data assets are high-quality, accessible and fit for advanced Analytics and AI applications. This is a high-impact role that requires a blend of strong programme management, deep understanding of data principles and the ability to navigate complex technical and organisational challenges. You will be instrumental in shaping our data future, working closely with data scientists, engineers, business stakeholders and senior leadership.

Core Responsibilities:

• Programme Strategy & Planning: Consolidate individual project plans into a single, integrated programme plan, maintaining a clear view of timelines, dependencies, and critical paths to ensure cohesive delivery towards the AI-ready data landscape vision.
• Financial & Budget Management: Own the financial and budget management of the entire data programme, including consolidated forecasting, meticulous tracking of expenditure, variance management, and providing crucial inputs to investment and funding decisions.
• Senior Leadership Reporting: Lead programme-level reporting for senior leadership, providing a clear, consistent, and concise view of progress, key risks, decisions required, and upcoming milestones to ensure transparency and informed decision-making.
• Milestone & Action Tracking: Maintain and rigorously track programme-wide milestones and actions, ensuring diligent follow-through and timely escalation where delivery is at risk, proactively addressing potential roadblocks.
• Project Coordination & Support: Work closely with individual project leads and project managers across data tools implementation and data cleansing initiatives to coordinate planning, reporting, and delivery, providing essential structure, constructive challenge, and dedicated support as needed.
• RAID Management: Own and maintain a consolidated programme RAID log, ensuring risks, issues, assumptions, and dependencies are actively managed, mitigated, and escalated appropriately to minimise programme disruption.
• Governance & Standardisation: Act as the central point of coordination to ensure alignment and consistency across all projects within the programme in terms of delivery cadence, robust governance frameworks, and standardised reporting methodologies.
• Data Quality & Cleansing Oversight: Provide oversight and guidance on data cleansing strategies and execution, ensuring data quality objectives are met and data assets are prepared for AI and advanced analytics.
• Tool Implementation Leadership: Guide the implementation of new data tools and platforms, ensuring they align with the overall data strategy and contribute effectively to building the AI-ready data ecosystem.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with technical teams, business units, and senior stakeholders, ensuring clear communication and alignment on programme objectives and progress.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Proven track record as a Programme Manager, successfully delivering complex data-centric programmes within large, matrixed organisations.
• Demonstrable experience in managing data programmes involving data quality, data cleansing, data governance and the implementation of data tools/platforms.
• Strong understanding of data management principles, data lifecycle, and the requirements for building an "AI-ready" data landscape.
• Expertise in financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis for large programmes.
• Exceptional ability to consolidate complex project plans into a single, integrated programme view, managing dependencies and critical paths.
• Highly skilled in programme-level reporting and communication to senior leadership, distilling complex information into clear, actionable insights.
• Proficiency in establishing and maintaining robust programme governance, including RAID management and standardisation across projects.
• Strong leadership, influencing and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to coordinate and support multiple project teams.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating risks.

Desirable Skills & Experience:

• Certifications in programme management (e.g. MSP, PMP, PRINCE2 Practitioner)
• Experience with specific data technologies, cloud data platforms (e.g. AWS, Azure, GCP) or data governance tools.
• Understanding of machine learning and AI concepts and their data requirements.
• Experience in a professional services environment.

IR35

As a means of managing tax, commercial and reputational risks, Deloitte prohibits the use of Associates through Personal Service Companies (‘PSCs’). All Associates must contract under PAYE arrangements through a Deloitte approved ‘Employment Company’ (aka ‘umbrella company.’)