Chief Data Officer

Planet Pharma; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global life-sciences organization is seeking a Chief Data Officer (CDO) to drive enterprise-wide data strategy, architecture, and transformation. This senior position requires expertise in pharma data leadership and a strong understanding of Azure and Medallion Architecture. The CDO will oversee a specialized team and be responsible for innovative data solutions and transformation initiatives, ensuring robust enterprise data models and scalable cloud environments. The role can be home-based from the UK or Poland.

Qualifications

• Proven background in enterprise-level data transformation.
• Experience handling legacy data, migrations, and modernisation projects.
• Ability to articulate and deliver a compelling vision for data transformation.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the organisation’s enterprise-wide data strategy.
• Lead data transformation initiatives across architecture, governance, quality, and operations.
• Guide the ingestion, curation, standardisation, and consumption of data.

Skills

Pharma data leadership

Microsoft Azure expertise

Data engineering

Medallion Architecture knowledge

Cloud-native tools familiarity

Tools

Snowflake

Job description

Chief Data Officer – UK or Poland (Home‑Based)

Executive Leadership | Data Strategy | Enterprise Transformation

A leading global life‑sciences organisation is seeking an accomplished Chief Data Officer (CDO) to drive enterprise‑wide data strategy, architecture, and transformation. This is a senior, VP‑level position with responsibility for shaping and delivering the company’s data vision while leading a high‑performing team of Senior/Executive Directors across the UK and US.

About the Role

The CDO will report directly to the Chief Information Officer and will lead a specialist team of 4–5 senior data leaders. This is a strategic‑technical hybrid role requiring both high‑level vision and hands‑on capability. Candidates must be able to define enterprise data direction while also diving into architecture, tooling, design, and delivery where necessary.

This position is home‑based and can be performed from the UK or Poland.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute the organisation’s enterprise‑wide data strategy
• Lead data transformation initiatives across architecture, governance, quality, and operations
• Oversee creation of data lakes, warehouses, lakehouses, and modern data platforms
• Drive the transition to Azure‑based cloud environments and modern engineering practices
• Build an enterprise data model capable of standardising sponsor data received in various formats
• Develop and implement Medallion Architecture (Bronze/Silver/Gold layers)
• Guide the ingestion, curation, standardisation, and consumption of data
• Deliver scalable data solutions that support multi‑tenancy and SaaS offerings
• Lead innovation and champion data‑driven improvements across the organisation
• Manage a senior team responsible for data engineering, architecture, governance, and strategy

What We’re Looking For

Industry Experience (mandatory)

• Pharma, biotech, healthcare, or broader life‑sciences data leadership
• Candidates outside these industries will not be considered.

Technical & Strategic Expertise

• Proven background in enterprise‑level data transformation
• Experience handling legacy data, migrations, and modernisation projects
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Azure, data engineering, and cloud‑native tools
• Deep understanding of Medallion Architecture (Bronze/Silver/Gold)
• Experience building data lakes, lakehouses, and large‑scale data ecosystems
• Ability to design multi‑tenant SaaS data solutions and data‑slicing approaches
• Strong familiarity with Snowflake or similar technologies
• Ability to define and implement enterprise data models
• Strong understanding of data integration challenges, including data lineage and sponsor integrations

Leadership & Delivery

• Ability to articulate and deliver a compelling vision for data transformation
• Demonstrable track record of innovation in data strategy and architecture
• Experience leading senior technical leaders (Directors/Exec Directors)

Interview Structure

• Stage 1: VP, Global Head of Clinical Technology & Strategy
• Stage 2: Head of Product Management & Engineering
• Final Stage: Chief Information Officer

Examples of Areas Candidates Will Be Assessed On

Candidates should be prepared to discuss:

• How they would build an enterprise data ecosystem from scratch
• Approach to addressing data lineage/data length issues with large sponsor integrations
• Real examples of innovations they have delivered and their business impact
• How to implement Medallion Architecture and manage heterogeneous sponsor data inputs