Head of Data

Location: Hybrid Employment Type: Full-Time | Permanent Industry: Financial Services | Data Operations | Analytics | Tax Technology

WatersEdge Solutions is partnering with a global financial services business to recruit an experienced and commercially minded Head of Data. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for someone who has successfully scaled a data, analytics, or operational function and is passionate about building strong teams, improving data quality, and using technology to drive measurable business value.

Reporting into senior leadership, this role will lead a strategically important department responsible for analysing complex financial and client data, identifying recovery opportunities, and ensuring the quality and integrity of the datasets that underpin the business’s service delivery.

As Head of Data, you will take full ownership of the department’s strategy, operating model, people leadership, quality standards, governance, and use of technology. You will lead managers and team members across a high-volume, deadline-driven function, while partnering with Technology and AI teams to improve automation, scalability, and reporting capability.

This role is suited to a leader who combines strategic vision with strong operational judgement and who is comfortable working with complex data, senior stakeholders, and evolving business priorities.

• Lead the Data department end to end, ensuring timely and accurate delivery of all outputs

• Define and execute the department’s strategy, objectives, and operating model

• Lead, mentor, and develop managers and team members

• Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement

• Establish scalable structures, workflows, and service standards

• Ensure appropriate governance, controls, and processes are in place

• Report clearly on delivery, quality, risk, and performance metrics to senior leadership

• Drive high standards of data quality, accuracy, and consistency

• Design and embed robust quality assurance and control frameworks

• Implement effective preventative and corrective controls

• Monitor operational risk and strengthen data integrity

• Promote best practice in data governance and continuous improvement

• Distinguish root-cause process fixes from downstream quality checks

• Partner with Technology and AI teams to identify and prioritise automation opportunities

• Champion adoption of new tools, technologies, and working methods

• Support the development of data infrastructure, reporting, and analytical capability

• Evaluate technology investments based on measurable business impact

• Drive process redesign, technology adoption, and scalable ways of working

• Bachelor’s degree in a numerate, technical, or business discipline such as Data Science, Information Systems, Finance, Accounting, or Engineering

• 4+ years’ experience in data operations, analytics, or a similar function

• At least 2 years in a senior leadership role managing managers within a sizeable team

• Proven track record of scaling a data or operational function

• Experience redesigning processes, restructuring teams, and introducing automation

• Experience designing or implementing quality control frameworks

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills

• Strong leadership and people development capability

• Strong understanding of data quality, operational risk, and controls

• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills

• Ability to report clearly and confidently at COO or Exco level

• High levels of independence, accountability, and commercial awareness

• Relevant postgraduate qualification

• Experience in financial services, professional services, tax, or another data-intensive environment

• Power BI experience

• SQL, scripting, or coding exposure

• Excel automation skills, including VBA or Power Query

• Experience in AI, technology build, or product management

• Experience managing distributed or offshore teams

• Senior leadership opportunity with ownership of a strategically important function

• Direct exposure to executive leadership

• Opportunity