Data Director

Connells Group; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading property services company in Milton Keynes is seeking an experienced Data Director to drive data strategy and governance. The role involves collaborating with stakeholders, managing data risks, and implementing AI and ML initiatives. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in data projects and technologies including Microsoft Fabric and SQL. This position offers an exciting opportunity to shape data-driven initiatives in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in delivering data-based projects at a senior level.
• Proven experience in Board Reporting.
• Experience of implementing Data Governance, system integration, and process optimisation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the data strategy ensuring alignment with business goals.
• Recruit, mentor, and manage data resources fostering a high-performance culture.
• Engage with key stakeholders to understand data needs and communicate progress.

Skills

Data governance

Stakeholder engagement

AI & Machine Learning

Data architecture

Data engineering

Tools

Microsoft Fabric

SQL

Python

PowerBI

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Data Director to join our Group Technology team in Milton Keynes.

The Data Director will play a pivotal role in delivering data for use by the business and shaping future data technology direction. You will collaborate with senior stakeholders across Connells Group to develop and implement the Connells Group data vision, manage data risks, leverage insights, and embed a 'data-first' culture within the business. This role requires a mix of data expertise, stakeholder influence, and transformational thinking.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Data Strategy: Develop and lead Connells Group data strategy, ensuring alignment with business goals including data insights, value growth, and commercialisation.
2. Leadership and Line Management: Recruit, mentor, and manage data resources as needed, fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture.
3. Collaboration and Strategic Alignment: Work closely with the Chief Information Officer to develop a unified work plan, ensuring alignment between business objectives and data initiatives.
4. Stakeholder Engagement & Communication: Engage with key stakeholders (internal and external) to understand data needs, articulate the value of data initiatives, and communicate the team's progress on key projects.
5. AI & Machine Learning: Embed scalable ML/AI capabilities into the data infrastructure to enhance applications and business processes. Promote adoption and support high-value initiatives such as predictive modelling, advanced analytics, and intelligent automation.
6. Data Governance & Compliance: Chair the Group-wide Data Governance Committee to enforce standards, mitigate risks, and ensure ethical data use.
7. Supplier Management: Liaise with third-party providers, mentor and develop internal teams' core skills, and mature processes related to the service.

Experience and Skills Required:

• Extensive experience in delivering data-based projects at a senior level.
• Proven experience in Board Reporting.
• Experience of implementing Data Governance, system integration, and process optimisation.
• Experience of delivering Data Architecture and Data Engineering within a cloud environment.
• Experience of delivering AI & ML initiatives.
• Exposure to Microsoft Fabric, cloud development, SQL, Python, PowerBI, or similar.

Desirable:

• Experience managing technical teams of up to 20 people in complex environments and managing against SLAs and business objectives.
• Exposure to event-driven architectures.
• Experience in Estate Agency, Financial Services, or related sectors.