Data Operations Manager

Ascend Media; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days' holiday (plus bank holidays)

Birthday/health day off

Cycle to work scheme

Staff publications discounts

Job summary

Ascend Media is seeking a Data Operations Manager to lead the day-to-day data operations for the Data & Insights team in London. You will coordinate data projects, manage datasets, and ensure quality and timely delivery across editorial and commercial stakeholders.

You will work closely with the Data & Insights Director to translate priorities into executable plans, maintain databases, and uphold data standards while driving continuous process improvements.

Qualifications

• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Experience coordinating teams and delivering operational projects.
• Attention to detail and quality-control mindset.
• Experience with structured data in Excel/Sheets.
• Experience with databases, CRM platforms, or similar systems.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day data operations and database management across the Data & Insights function.
• Ensure data accuracy, completeness, and adherence to standards through QA processes.
• Coordinate data validation, auditing, cleaning, and quality assurance activities.
• Translate priorities into clear plans, tasks, timelines, and responsibilities.
• Maintain documentation on database structures, data definitions, and procedures.
• Collaborate with editorial, data researchers, and stakeholders to deliver projects on time.
• Identify risks and issues, elevating them as needed to keep delivery on track.

Job description

Data Operations Manager

Location: London (hybrid, min. 3 days/week in our Farringdon office). We will also consider applications for a remote home-based contract for those who live more than 90 minutes away from the office.

Company: Ascend Media (Elite Traveler, Spear’s, The World of Fine Wine, World of Fine Spirits)

About us

Ascend Media is home to some of the world’s leading luxury media brands: Elite Traveler, Spear’s, The World of Fine Wine, and The World of Fine Spirits. We create world-class content, digital platforms, and immersive brand experiences that connect with ultra-high-net-worth audiences and luxury brands worldwide.

About the role

We’re looking for a highly organised and detail-oriented Data Operations Manager to join our Data & Insights team.

This role is responsible for the day-to-day operational delivery of data projects, ensuring that work is effectively planned, coordinated, executed, and delivered to a consistently high standard. Sitting at the intersection of data, editorial, and operations, the Data Operations Manager will coordinate team activity, maintain and improve databases and datasets, oversee data quality processes, and ensure projects progress smoothly from planning through to delivery.

Working closely with the Data & Insights Director, data researchers, editorial teams, and other stakeholders across the business, you will translate priorities and project requirements into clear execution plans, allocate and coordinate work, monitor progress, and ensure that data remains accurate, complete, structured, and well maintained.

Key responsibilities

Data operations and database management

• Oversee the day-to-day maintenance and management of databases and structured datasets across the Data & Insights function.
• Ensure data is accurate, complete, consistent, and maintained according to agreed standards.
• Coordinate regular data validation, auditing, cleaning, and quality assurance processes.
• Identify data gaps, inconsistencies, duplicates, and structural issues, and coordinate their resolution.
• Ensure database structures, fields, taxonomies, and documentation are maintained consistently.
• Support the continuous improvement of data management processes and operational standards.
• Maintain clear documentation covering database structures, processes, data definitions, and operating procedures.

Project delivery and team coordination

• Coordinate the execution of data and rankings projects from planning through to final delivery.
• Translate project priorities into clear tasks, timelines, responsibilities, and deliverables.
• Coordinate day-to-day team workloads and ensure priorities and expectations are clearly communicated.
• Create and maintain detailed project plans, workflows, trackers, and delivery schedules.
• Monitor progress across multiple projects and proactively follow up on outstanding actions and dependencies.
• Identify risks, delays, resource constraints, or process gaps and elevate them where appropriate.
• Ensure projects are delivered accurately, efficiently, and according to agreed timelines.

Data quality and quality assurance

• Own and coordinate quality assurance processes across data projects and ongoing database maintenance.
• Establish and maintain clear data quality checks and validation procedures.
• Review datasets and project outputs for accuracy, consistency, completeness, and adherence to defined requirements.
• Ensure quality checks are completed before data is published, transferred, or handed over to another team.
• Track recurring data quality issues and implement processes to reduce errors and improve consistency.
• Promote strong attention to detail and accountability for data quality across the team.

Cross-functional and editorial coordination

• Act as a key operational link between the Data & Insights team and editorial stakeholders.
• Coordinate timelines, requirements, dependencies, and handovers between teams.
• Follow up with stakeholders to ensure required information, decisions, and deliverables are provided on time.
• Translate meetings and discussions into clear briefs, specifications, action plans, and responsibilities.
• Ensure project requirements and changes are clearly documented and communicated to the relevant teams.
• Support smooth collaboration between data, editorial, commercial, and other relevant business functions.

Process management and continuous improvement

• Map, document, and maintain operational processes and standard operating procedures.
• Ensure agreed processes are consistently followed across projects and ongoing data operations.
• Identify inefficient, unclear, or repetitive processes and recommend practical improvements.
• Help introduce greater structure, consistency, and scalability across the Data & Insights function.
• Support the implementation and adoption of tools and workflows that improve team efficiency and data quality.

Skills and experience

Essential

• Strong organisational, operational, and project management skills.
• Experience coordinating teams, workloads, projects, or operational delivery.
• Strong attention to detail and a clear quality-control mindset.
• Experience working with structured data using Excel, Google Sheets, or similar tools.
• Experience working with databases, CRM platforms, content databases, or other structured data systems.
• Experience with data validation, database maintenance, data auditing, or quality assurance processes.
• Ability to translate complex discussions and requirements into structured plans, documentation, and actionable tasks.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines simultaneously.
• A proactive approach to identifying and resolving operational issues.

Desirable

• Experience working with rankings, research databases, awards, directories, or other data-driven products.
• Experience working with editorial teams or content production workflows.
• Familiarity with CRM systems, survey platforms, or data collection tools.
• Experience developing data quality frameworks or QA processes.
• Experience creating and maintaining SOPs, process maps, and operational documentation.
• Experience coordinating researchers, data teams, or other operational teams.

About you

You are someone who:

• Loves structure, clarity, and organisation.
• Naturally turns priorities into clear plans and actionable tasks.
• Enjoys coordinating people and keeping complex projects moving.
• Spot inconsistencies and data quality issues that others might miss.
• Takes ownership of ensuring databases and datasets remain accurate and well maintained.
• Enjoys turning messy discussions into clear workflows, documentation, and execution plans.
• Is comfortable following up, challenging inconsistencies, and ensuring agreed actions are completed.
• Thrives in a cross-functional environment with multiple parallel projects and priorities.
• Balances attention to detail with a strong focus on delivery and execution.

Company benefits

• 25 days' holiday (plus bank holidays)
• Additional days off for your birthday, health and well-being day and volunteering day
• Subscription to Group publications and all other online content
• Access to a discounted shopping program
• Cycle to work scheme
• Enhanced family leave pay offers
• Enhanced company sick pay after probation

Applications meeting the selection criteria will be reviewed as soon as possible.

Progressive Media Investments (Ascend Media) values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. Please inform the hiring manager if you require any reasonable adjustments so that you can fully participate in the recruitment process.

Please note, candidates must have, or be able to obtain, the right to live and work in the United Kingdom as we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.