Head of Data Operations & Governance

Head of Data Operations & Governance - Contract

Location: London / Hybrid
Contract: 6 months
IR35: Inside IR35
Rate: Competitive

We're looking for an experienced Head of Data Operations & Governance to lead and develop an organisation-wide data governance capability within a major transformation environment.
This is as much a change and transformation role as it is a data governance role. You'll work closely with senior stakeholders across the organisation to improve how data is owned, understood and managed, linking good data governance directly to business outcomes.

What you'll be doing

• Establish and embed data ownership and stewardship across critical datasets.
• Develop and implement data quality frameworks, standards and governance processes.
• Lead and develop an existing Data Operations & Governance team.
• Drive improvements across data cataloguing, discovery, lineage and observability.
• Support major transformation programmes and the adoption of AI and automation.
• Work closely with Data Architecture, Engineering, Privacy and senior business stakeholders.
• Translate complex data issues into clear business outcomes and drive organisation-wide engagement.

What we're looking for

• Strong Data Governance, Data Quality or Data Operations leadership experience.
• Experience implementing data ownership and stewardship models.
• Strong understanding of data quality frameworks and modern governance/cataloguing tooling.
• Experience leading and developing data teams.
• Enough technical understanding to work credibly with Data Architects and Engineers.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills.
• A strong change and transformation mindset, with the ability to bring people on the journey rather than simply implement governance processes.