Head of Enterprise Data & Platforms - Global role - UK based

A global professional services network is hiring a Head of Enterprise Data & Platforms to define and lead its enterprise data strategy, architecture, and Microsoft-based platform ecosystem. This is a Director-level role focused on building AI-ready data foundations and influencing technology adoption across a federated international network.

Client Details

Our client is a top-tier global professional services network operating across 100+ countries with a strong presence in both the UK and US. The organisation is structured as a federated partnership, combining global coordination with local autonomy.

Technology is a key strategic priority, with significant investment now committed to modernising data platforms, standardising architecture, and enabling AI-driven insights. This role plays a central role in defining standards, driving collaboration, and enabling shared platforms across member firms.

The hiring leader is a high-performing, pragmatic CIO/CISO with a consulting background, known for high standards, commercial thinking, and developing strong teams.

Description

This is a newly created, Director-level role with global accountability for enterprise data, shared platforms, and infrastructure.

The role will act as the technical authority across the organisation, responsible for shaping strategy, defining standards, and influencing adoption across a complex, federated environment.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the enterprise data strategy, including development of common data models across the network
• Design and govern modern data architectures, including high-volume and near real-time data ingestion
• Establish reference architectures and standards across data, integration, and Microsoft platforms
• Lead the Microsoft ecosystem strategy, including Azure, Power Platform, M365, and emerging data services
• Ensure platforms are scalable, secure, resilient, and AI-ready, supporting initiatives such as Copilot and advanced analytics
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, influencing decision-making across multiple jurisdictions
• Provide technical oversight of shared infrastructure and managed service providers
• Build and lead a lean, high-calibre global team across infrastructure, data, and vendor management
• Drive alignment across member firms through communities of practice and strong stakeholder engagement

Context

• Highly federated global model with autonomous member firms
• Lean team - responsible for data, infrastructure & managing the MSP
• Strong reliance on influence rather than formal authority
• Significant focus on data as the foundation for AI and global platforms
• Existing Microsoft-centric technology estate

Profile

The successful Head of Enterprise Data & Platforms will combine deep technical credibility with strong commercial and stakeholder leadership capability.

• Proven experience leading enterprise data and platform architecture at global scale
• Strong track record delivering data platform transformation end-to-end
• Deep expertise across the Microsoft technology stack (Azure, data platforms, Power Platform)
• Experience operating within complex, federated or multi-entity organisations
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders without formal authority
• Background in consulting or advisory environments is advantageous

Skills

• Strong enterprise architecture capability
• Commercially minded, able to balance technical decisions with business impact
• Credible and pragmatic, with the ability to operate at both strategic and technical levels
• High standards, delivery-focused, and comfortable working in lean team structures
• Strong communicator across both technical and executive audiences
• Low ego grafter who takes accountability and gets it done

Job Offer

Competitive base salary and 6% pension

No bonus or car allowance

Learning culture

High performing team

Opportunity to build a compelling global data strategy and platform in a high profile organisation

UK time zone working

Limited travel

1 day per week in London