Head of Data

Location: Midlands-based (Stratford-upon-Avon preferred)Working Pattern: 1 day per month - 3 month contract Contract: Inside IR35 Day Rate: Flexible to a max of £700

We are supporting a Midlands-based organisation in securing an Interim Head of Software & Data Engineering to provide strategic oversight and leadership across both software engineering and data capabilities.

This is a light-touch advisory engagement (1 day per month), focused on leadership, direction-setting, and challenge at a senior level rather than day-to-day management.

You will act as a senior technical and leadership advisor, supporting the organisation's engineering function across .NET software engineering and data platforms, helping to drive standards, improve delivery, and provide constructive challenge to existing leadership and engineering teams.

The role has a strong emphasis on data capability, while maintaining oversight across broader engineering.

• Provide strategic oversight across software and data engineering functions
• Act as a critical friend, challenging engineering decisions, strategy, and delivery approaches
• Support the evolution of engineering capability, processes, and standards
• Offer guidance on data platform strategy (Databricks, Azure data stack)
• Ensure alignment between engineering outputs and business objectives
• Mentor and support senior engineers and engineering leadership where required

• Technology stack: .NET, SQL Server (legacy), Azure, Databricks
• Team size: Approximately 30 engineers across multiple squads
• Distributed team with an offshore function in Bucharest (locally managed)

• Proven experience at Head of Engineering / Head of Data / Engineering Leadership level
• Strong background in data engineering or data platforms (preferred)
• Experience across software engineering environments (ideally .NET)
• Ability to challenge and influence senior engineers and stakeholders
• Strong understanding of engineering best practice, delivery, and team structures
• Experience operating in consultative or advisory capacity

• Midlands-based candidate preferred (Stratford-upon-Avon ideal)
• Teams largely remote; occasional on-site workshops (1-2 per month)
• Very occasional travel to London