Data Manager

New Opportunity: Data Management Lead

Start: ASAP

Duration: 6 Months Initially

IR35 Determination: Inside

Hybrid Working Arrangement: West Midlands

You will be part of a brand-new team that will help the authority to establish and lead the Data Management capability, creating frameworks, standards and ways of working that are needed to treat data as a strategic asset.

Responsibilities:

• Define and publish the Council’s Data Management Policy, Standards and Operating Model (covering data quality, metadata/lineage, master/reference data, data lifecycle and retention)
• Stand up and chair a Council-wide Data Stewardship network; support Heads of Service to nominate Data Owners and Stewards and agree RACI (federated model aligned to DDaT)
• Select and configure pragmatic toolsets with ICT/BI (e.g., catalogue/metadata, quality rules, reference data registers) within Microsoft 365/Azure and existing reporting platforms
• Embed controls and evidence for ethical, lawful and secure data use (GDPR, DPIA support with IG, retention schedules with Records Management); maintain registers for standards, quality rules and critical datasets
• Create and monitor KPIs for data quality and stewardship adherence; publish improvement backlogs and quarterly progress reports to the DDaT/Data Governance Boards

Requirements:

• Public Sector experience ideally Local Government Essential
• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in Data/Information Management, Information Systems, Computer Science or related field
• Proven experience leading data management practices across lifecycle (quality, metadata/lineage, Master Data Management/reference, retention/disposal)
• Ability to interpret, analyse and synthesise complex datasets, metadata structures, data lineage diagrams and information governance requirements, presenting insights in clear, accessible language for non-technical audiences
• Strong knowledge of DAMA-aligned data governance and practical KPIs

If this is a role that you are interested in, you have public sector experience and are able to commit to Hybrid working in the Midlands then please apply with an up-to-date CV.