Group Head of Data

SSE plc; Havant; Hybrid; GBP 101,000 - 151,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare discounts

Gym memberships

Cycle to Work

Job summary

SSE plc is seeking a Group Head of Data to lead the organisation’s data strategy and enterprise capabilities, establishing governance, architecture and data platforms. This executive role partners with CIOs and business unit leaders to drive trust, reuse and value from data across the group.

The role shapes information management interfaces, data products and AI-enabled solutions while strengthening operational resilience and decision‑making across SSE.

Qualifications

• Extensive senior leadership experience across data in a large organisation.
• Proven experience leading data strategy and governance with ownership, stewardship, metadata and quality.
• Strong operating knowledge of enterprise data architecture, cloud platforms, APIs and DataOps.
• Experience building or reshaping enterprise data functions and platforms.
• Ability to advise senior leaders and make complex data and risk choices clear.
• Commercial and regulatory judgement with experience in risk and licensing.

Responsibilities

• Own and execute SSE’s group-wide data strategy, operating model, priorities and investment direction.
• Establish and operate enterprise data governance and data management as connected capabilities.
• Set the direction for secure, resilient enterprise data technologies, platforms and services.
• Define enterprise data architecture, modelling, engineering, integration and API standards.
• Provide trusted data foundations and guardrails to enable reporting, analytics, data products and AI solutions.
• Lead and develop SSE’s data profession and build data fluency across teams.
• Partner with CIOs and senior leaders to address dependencies, risks and business value.

Skills

Data strategy leadership

Data governance

Enterprise data architecture

Stakeholder leadership

Job description

Base Location

You'll be expected to spend 50% of your working week in one of the following locations: Reading, Havant, London, Perth or Glasgow

Salary

£101,000 - £151,400 + car/car allowance + performance-related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.

Working Pattern

Permanent | Full Time | Flexible First options available

The role

The Group Head of Data is SSE’s Chief Data Officer, accountable for setting and delivering the group-wide data strategy and establishing the enterprise capabilities required to manage data as a strategic asset. The role holds the mandate for data governance, data management, data technologies and platforms, data architecture and engineering, and the data profession. It will also shape SSE’s direction, requirements and interfaces for information management, working collaboratively with the relevant accountable functions as the longer-term ownership of that capability is confirmed. Together, these responsibilities will create trusted, accessible and reusable data and information foundations that strengthen operational resilience, improve enterprise decision-making and enable SSE’s growth, digital products, analytics and AI. Working collaboratively with CIOs and Business Unit Data and AI leaders, the role will set enterprise direction, operate common capabilities and provide the support and frameworks for consistent execution, while Business Units retain accountability for their priorities and outcomes.

You will

• Own and execute SSE’s group-wide data strategy, operating model, priorities and investment direction, establishing clear mandates, decision rights and accountability across the enterprise and Business Units.
• Establish and operate enterprise data governance and data management as distinct but connected capabilities, covering data domains, ownership and stewardship, metadata, lineage, classification, quality, master and reference data, access, sharing and assurance; and collaboratively shape the requirements, standards and interfaces for information management with the relevant accountable functions.
• Set the direction for secure, resilient and cost-effective enterprise data technologies, platforms and services, including lifecycle, performance, investment and supplier decisions.
• Define enterprise data architecture, modelling, engineering, integration and API standards, and enable their consistent implementation through reusable patterns, automation, code and DataOps practices.
• Provide trusted data foundations, standards and guardrails that enable and support Business Units to deliver reporting, analytics, data products and AI-enabled solutions safely, consistently and at pace.
• Lead and develop SSE’s data profession, building leadership capability, skills, inclusive career pathways, communities and data fluency across enterprise and Business Unit teams.
• Partner collaboratively with CIOs, Business Unit Data and AI leaders and control and assurance functions to address cross-SSE dependencies, manage material data risks and demonstrate measurable improvement in trust, reuse, control and business value.

You have

• Extensive senior leadership experience across data and related technology disciplines in a large, complex organisation, with a proven track record of shaping enterprise strategy and translating it into operating capability and measurable outcomes.
• Proven experience leading data strategy, data governance and data management as distinct but connected disciplines, including operating capabilities for ownership, stewardship, metadata, lineage, quality, master and reference data, access, sharing and assurance, together with working knowledge of information management disciplines and their interfaces with data.
• Strong operating knowledge of enterprise data architecture, engineering, cloud data platforms, integration, APIs, DataOps, observability, automation, analytics, data products and the data foundations required for AI.
• Demonstrable experience building, developing or materially reshaping enterprise data functions, platforms and professional capability, while enabling and supporting Business Unit delivery through common standards, services and governance.
• The ability to build trusted relationships with and advise senior leaders, working collaboratively with CIOs and senior business leaders, providing constructive challenge and making complex data, technology and risk choices clear and accessible.
• Sound commercial, financial and regulatory judgement, with experience of investment prioritisation, suppliers, licensing, benefits realisation and collaborating across Cyber, Privacy, Legal, Risk and regulatory functions.

About SSE

SSE’s purpose is to provide energy needed today while building a better world of energy for tomorrow. We do this by developing, building, operating and investing in electricity infrastructure and businesses needed in the energy transition. Our Transforming for Growth investment plan sees us investing £33bn in critical electricity infrastructure across the five years to 2030.

Our IT division powers growth across all SSE business areas by making sure we have the systems, software and security needed to take the lead in a low carbon world. They provide expertise, advice and day-to-day support in emerging technologies, data and analytics, cyber security and more.

Flexible Benefits To Fit Your Life

Enjoy discounts on private healthcare and gym memberships. Wellbeing benefits like a free online GP and 24/7 counselling service. Interest-free loans on tech and transport season tickets, or a new bike with our Cycle to Work scheme. As well as generous family entitlements such as maternity and adoption pay, and paternity leave.

Work with an equal opportunity employer

SSE will make any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure that your application and experience with us is positive. Please contact [e-mail] to discuss how we can support you.

We're dedicated to fostering an open and inclusive workplace where people from all backgrounds can thrive. We create equal opportunities for everyone to succeed and especially welcome applications from those who may not be well represented in our workforce or industry.