Head of Data
Head of Data
Forward‑looking data is reshaping how modern businesses access capital. This role defines how that transformation happens at scale.
We're hiring a senior leader to own data strategy, infrastructure, and advanced analytics - building the foundations that power next‑generation underwriting, operational insights, and data‑driven growth.
This is a high‑impact leadership position with real influence. You'll shape the data vision, guide senior stakeholders, and lead how data is engineered, governed, and activated across the organisation.
What You'll Own
Data Strategy & Leadership
- Define and execute the enterprise‑wide data vision.
- Build, mentor, and scale a high‑performing data organisation across engineering, analytics, and data science.
- Set the standards, principles, and governance that enable autonomous, data‑driven decision‑making.
Modern Underwriting & Predictive Modelling
- Partner with Risk and Engineering to develop innovative credit decisioning models using operational and alternative data sources (e‑commerce sales, bank transactions, inventory signals).
- Scale underwriting infrastructure to support both internal lending and external underwriting‑as‑a‑service.
Data Infrastructure & Platform Ownership
- Design and evolve the automated data platform, ensuring scalable, high‑quality ingestion and transformation of large data volumes.
- Optimise infrastructure for performance, cost efficiency, and reliability.
Data Quality, Trust & Governance
- Establish enterprise standards for data quality, compliance, security, and integrity.
- Build a single source of truth for key business entities and ensure product and engineering teams operate on trusted datasets.
Cross‑Functional Impact & Insights
- Partner with Product, Risk, Sales, and leadership teams to deliver actionable analytics, portfolio health monitoring, and revenue‑unlocking insights.
- Evaluate commercial value of new data sources and drive data‑led growth initiatives.
What You Bring
Leadership & Technical Expertise
- 8-10+ years in senior data leadership roles, ideally in fast‑moving or startup environments.
- Expert proficiency in SQL, Python, and modern cloud data architectures (AWS/GCP/Azure).
- Strong understanding of machine learning models, data pipelines, and API‑driven integrations.
- Experience building automated self‑service analytics tools and operating within agile delivery.
Strategic & Commercial Strength
- Deep understanding of how data drives profitability, operational performance, and risk decisions.
- Ability to balance long‑term vision with hands‑on execution.
- Strong commercial judgement when assessing new data sources, infrastructure investments, and modelling opportunities.
- Experience in fintech or lending is welcome, but not essential - excellence in data leadership is.
Personal Qualities
- Thrives in high‑growth, rapidly evolving environments.
- Clear communicator who can influence senior stakeholders.
- Confident leading complex technical conversations and simplifying them for business impact.
Why This Role
- High‑impact scope with real ownership of the data vision.
- The chance to build a world‑class data ecosystem from the ground up.
- Influence at senior levels across product, risk, and commercial teams.
- Exposure to modern credit modelling, alternative data, and underwriting innovation.
- A role where your decisions directly shape how businesses access capital.
If you're ready to lead the data backbone that powers scalable, data‑driven underwriting - this role is for you.
FAQs
Congratulations, we understand that taking the time to apply is a big step. When you apply, your details go directly to the consultant who is sourcing talent. Due to demand, we may not get back to all applicants that have applied. However, we always keep your resume and details on file so when we see similar roles or see skillsets that drive growth in organizations, we will always reach out to discuss opportunities.
Yes. Even if this role isn’t a perfect match, applying allows us to understand your expertise and ambitions, ensuring you're on our radar for the right opportunity when it arises.
We also work in several ways, firstly we advertise our roles available on our site, however, often due to confidentiality we may not post all. We also work with clients who are more focused on skills and understanding what is required to future-proof their business.
That's why we recommend registering your resume so you can be considered for roles that have yet to be created.
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