Analyst jobs in Remote

Head of Data

Home Based (UK) ¦ Full Time ¦ £70,000 - £80,000 DOE

Are you a data leader who combines technical expertise with a passion for turning data into meaningful business insight?

We are looking for an experienced Head of Data to lead our data and reporting function, ensuring operational teams have access to trusted, accurate, and actionable information. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the data strategy of a growing organisation and play a key role in driving business improvement through data, reporting, and AI-enabled solutions.

About the Role

Reporting into the central Group IT function, you will lead a small team of experienced analysts and oversee the delivery of strategic data initiatives across the business. Initially supporting a major provider of government-funded employment, skills, and education services across England, Scotland, and Wales, you will be responsible for creating a single source of truth for reporting and performance management.

You will work closely with senior leaders, operational teams, Information Security, and Data Protection stakeholders to ensure data is accessible, secure, and used effectively to improve performance and decision-making.

As the organisation continues to expand, this role will play a critical part in integrating businesses into a wider Group data platform while supporting the adoption of AI technologies and modern reporting practices.

Key Responsibilities

Data Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and deliver the organisation's data strategy.
• Lead, motivate, and develop a team of Data Analysts.
• Manage and deliver key data transformation projects.
• Drive the data workstream within the wider continuous improvement programme.

Reporting & Business Intelligence

• Establish trusted datasets and standardised business definitions.
• Deliver self-service reporting capabilities through Power BI and other reporting platforms.
• Develop governance processes for report ownership, maintenance, and adoption.
• Reduce reporting duplication and improve consistency across the business.

AI & Data Innovation

• Support the safe and effective use of AI tools.
• Ensure appropriate anonymisation of personal data before use within AI solutions.
• Work alongside Information Security and Data Protection teams to maintain compliance.

Contract Performance & Insight

• Deliver performance analysis against contractual targets and KPIs.
• Provide proactive insight into performance risks and opportunities.
• Ensure data accuracy and reconciliation across key contracts.

Data Engineering & Platforms

• Oversee Azure Data Factory pipelines and SQL environments.
• Manage external data integrations and data quality processes.
• Support migration and integration into the Group data platform.
• Contribute to the adoption of Apache Superset alongside Power BI.

Governance & Stakeholder Management

• Engage senior stakeholders to translate business requirements into deliverable solutions.
• Establish data ownership, quality standards, and governance frameworks.
• Ensure compliance with UK GDPR, Data Protection legislation, and ISO 27001 requirements.

About You

Essential Experience

• Significant experience leading data, BI, or analytics teams.
• Strong expertise in Azure Data Factory, SQL, and Power BI.
• Proven experience delivering self-service reporting solutions.
• Experience managing contract, operational, or service performance reporting.
• Strong knowledge of version control and CI/CD practices (Git, Azure DevOps, or GitHub).
• Experience engaging and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Working knowledge of UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Desirable Experience

• Public sector, education, skills, employability, or government-funded contract environments.
• Social value reporting and bid support.
• Azure Synapse, Microsoft Fabric, or Databricks.
• Apache Superset implementation or administration.
• Python for automation and data transformation.
• AI technologies including Microsoft Copilot or Azure AI.
• ISO 27001 controls and data governance frameworks.
• Relevant certifications such as PL-300, Microsoft Fabric, or DAMA CDMP.

What We're Looking For

You'll be:

• A strategic thinker with a hands-on approach.
• Passionate about making data accessible and useful.
• Comfortable influencing and challenging senior stakeholders.
• Focused on practical, scalable solutions.
• An inspiring people leader who develops high-performing teams.
• Excited by innovation, continuous improvement, and emerging technologies.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary of £70,000 - £80,000 DOE
• Home-based role with regular UK travel
• Opportunity to shape data strategy across a growing group of businesses
• Significant exposure to senior leadership and strategic projects
• A chance to lead the adoption of modern data and AI capabilities

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Here at People Plus, we make a positive difference to people’s lives – every single day.

We use our experience to support hundreds of thousands of people each year. Our committed teams work across Britain to deliver a range of public services, including employment support, skills training, prison education, starting a business, and support to help employers grow.

To put it simply, we:

• Support people to find and keep jobs
• Help people to set up their own businesses
• Deliver skills training to further people’s careers
• Work with employers to build a skilled and happy workforce
• Rehabilitate people with convictions
• Tackle the root causes of offending
• Support carers

We are extremely proud to be a Gold accredited Investors in People organisation. This demonstrates our commitment to creating the very best environment and culture for our colleagues to succeed and thrive.