Data Lead

London | 12-Month Contract | 2-3 Days Onsite | Inside IR35 | Up to £650 per day

Data Lead | Financial Services Transformation Programme

We are seeking an experienced Data Lead to join a major financial services transformation programme and take ownership of a critical data workstream.

This is a senior leadership role for an individual who can operate above their nominal title, bringing structure, accountability and direction to complex data initiatives. You will be responsible for driving outcomes across business and technology teams, managing senior stakeholders, and ensuring successful delivery within an evolving and often ambiguous environment.

Whether your background is in Data Architecture, Product Ownership, Delivery Management, or Data Transformation, the key requirement is the ability to lead from the front, influence senior stakeholders, and be recognised as the person driving the workstream forward.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a strategic data workstream from inception through delivery.
• Establish governance, structure and delivery frameworks in complex environments.
• Take ownership of business outcomes and programme objectives.
• Manage senior business, technology, data and risk stakeholders.
• Drive alignment, decision-making and execution across multiple teams.
• Provide oversight and challenge to engineering and delivery functions where required.
• Ensure delivery remains focused on strategic business objectives.
• Support large-scale data modernisation and legacy platform migration initiatives.
• Act as the senior point of accountability for the workstream, ensuring risks, dependencies and issues are effectively managed.

Required Experience

• Proven experience leading enterprise-scale data programmes or transformation workstreams.
• Demonstrable ability to operate independently and drive successful outcomes.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience engaging with senior business, technology and risk stakeholders.
• Background in Data Architecture, Data Product, Data Delivery, Data Transformation, Programme Delivery, or a related discipline.
• Experience working within large, complex organisations.
• Strong understanding of data transformation programmes and operating models.
• Ability to create clarity and direction in environments with evolving priorities.

Technical Experience

Technical expertise is viewed as a credibility requirement rather than a strict screening criterion.

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Working knowledge of Databricks.
• Familiarity with dbt.
• Ability to engage credibly with Data Engineering teams.
• Experience supporting cloud-based data platform modernisation programmes.
• Exposure to legacy technology migration or data estate exit programmes.
• Understanding of modern data platform concepts and data transformation practices.

Preferred Experience

• Financial Services, Banking, or other highly regulated environments.
• Large-scale transformation programmes.
• Cloud data platform initiatives.
• Experience working alongside architecture, engineering and product teams.
• Availability to start at short notice.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong leadership presence and executive-level communication skills.
• Ability to influence, challenge and drive decision-making.
• Commercially focused and outcome-oriented mindset.
• Strong stakeholder management across business and technology functions.
• Excellent organisational and problem-solving capabilities.
• Comfortable operating with autonomy in fast-paced transformation environments.
• Ability to build credibility quickly with both technical and non-technical audiences.

Contract Details

• Day Rate: Up to £650 per day
• Contract Type: Inside IR35
• Duration: 12-month contract
• Location: London
• Working Pattern: 2-3 days onsite per week
• Start Date: ASAP

Apply

If you have a proven track record of leading complex data initiatives, driving successful transformation outcomes, and influencing senior stakeholders within large enterprise environments, please submit your CV for immediate consideration.