Defence Data Quality Lead

Digi2al; Portsmouth; Hybrid; GBP 101,000 - 166,000; Full time

Job summary

Digi2al is seeking a Data Quality Manager to convert evidence from Data Discoveries into a governed programme of data quality improvements within our software delivery environment. You will focus on critical data, addressing risks across the Directorate data and tech landscape, ensuring availability, accuracy, completeness, consistency, validity, uniqueness, timeliness and integrity.

You will lead workshops, define remediation roadmaps, and embed Data Owner accountability while aligning with

Qualifications

• Experience operating within Defence data environments.
• Experience bridging technical software teams and governance bodies in agile settings.
• Strong knowledge of data quality dimensions and automated measurement.
• Process mapping, data-flow analysis, data maturity assessments, and root-cause analysis.
• Proven track record defining stewardship structures and Data Owner accountability.
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills, with webinars/training design.

Responsibilities

• Lead translation of Data Discoveries into remediation roadmaps across software platforms and data environments.
• Evaluate pain points and risks with metrics for availability, accuracy, completeness and integrity.
• Ensure compliance with Royal Navy data governance policy and Defence data quality framework.
• Facilitate workshops, stakeholder interviews, process analyses and system reviews.
• Embed Data Owner accountability and assign stewardship across data assets.
• Audit metadata and data lineage for governance compliance.
• Educate software teams and clients on data quality standards.

Skills

Defence data environments

Agile working

Data quality dimensions

Process mapping

Data flow analysis

Root-cause analysis

Data Owner accountability

Stakeholder management

Facilitation

Job description

This Project drives the Royal Navy’s capability by delivering digital solutions that increase operational efficiency, effectiveness, and availability. Operating across Official and Secret domains, from shore to sea.Data & Navy Applications (DNA) provides end-to-end support for bespoke and procured applications.

Data Quality Manager

The Data Quality Manager shall convert evidence gathered through Data Governance Office Data Discoveries into a prioritised, governed and measurable programme of data quality improvement within our software delivery environment.

The role shall focus on critical data, recurring operational pain points and risks identified across Directorate data and technology landscapes, including issues affecting availability, accuracy, completeness, consistency, validity, uniqueness, timeliness and integrity.

The scope covers discovery findings from stakeholder interviews, workshops, data maturity assessments, process and data-flow analysis, system reviews and existing issue logs. Delivery shall align with Royal Navy data governance policy, the Defence data quality framework, Data Owner accountability and established governance routes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the translation of Data Discoveries into structured, quantifiable remediation roadmaps across software platforms, data pipelines, and client data environments.
• Evaluate operational pain points and risks across technology landscapes, establishing metrics to measure and enhance availability, accuracy, completeness, consistency, validity, uniqueness, timeliness, and integrity.
• Ensure all data quality frameworks, registers, and remediation activities strictly adhere to Royal Navy data governance policy, the Defence data quality framework, and governance channels.
• Facilitate workshops, stakeholder interviews, process and data-flow analyses, and system reviews to extract detailed requirements and context for quality issues.
• Embed Data Owner accountability and assign stewardship roles across all data assets, business systems, and data products to support robust risk management.
• Audit existing metadata and data lineage for compliance with governing policies, identifying gaps and establishing structured remediation paths.
• Educate software engineering, product management, and client teams on data quality standards, methodologies, and best practices.

Specific Deliverables

The Data Quality Manager will be accountable for delivering the following explicit outcomes:

1. Thorough review of all Data Discoveries to collate, synthesize, and catalogue operational pain points and system-wide data issues.
2. Direct follow-up sessions with technical and business stakeholders to gather detailed technical specifications required to effectively triage quality issues.
3. Development and ongoing management of a comprehensive Data Quality Register for all identified issues, structured using Navy Gov DQ policy criteria.
4. Produce an overarching Data Quality Improvement Plan containing tailored Directorate Data Quality Action Plans for all known discovery issues. These plans must directly target individual business systems, data products, or data assets, clearly attributing ownership and stewardship for risk management purposes.
5. Creation and delivery of training materials, guidance documentation, and webinars focused on "how to improve DQ" for internal teams and client groups.
6. A formal compliance assessment evaluating current metadata quality and lineage against DGOV Policy standards, alongside an actionable remediation plan.

Must haves:

• Proven experience operating within Defence data environments
• Experience working within an agile software house, technology consultancy, or systems integration environment, bridging the gap between technical software teams and governance bodies.
• Strong practical knowledge of core data quality dimensions (availability, accuracy, completeness, consistency, validity, uniqueness, timeliness, integrity) and methods for automated/systemic measurement.
• Demonstrated proficiency in process mapping, data-flow analysis, data maturity assessments, system reviews, and root-cause analysis.
• Proven track record of defining stewardship structures, establishing Data Owner accountability, and driving consensus across complex multi-stakeholder landscapes.
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills, with experience designing educational materials and delivering webinars to technical and non-technical audiences.

Nice to haves:

• Specific knowledge of Royal Navy data governance policies and the Defence data quality framework (or directly transferable UK Public Sector/Defence governance experience).
  

Start date: Early November

IR35: Outside IR35

Initial contract length: 6 months (with possible extension)

Location: Portsmouth

Minimum security level: SC with no caveats

Nationality specification: Sole British Citizen (due to Client security requirement)

Number of days per week on site: 2-3 days p/w on site, with flex if needed