Head of Data

VANRATH; Lisburn; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Senior leadership exposure

Shape data & systems strategy

Job summary

VANRATH is seeking a Head of Data to own the data strategy and systems roadmap within a growing organisation based in NI. This senior role will shape how data, systems and technology support future growth, working closely with senior stakeholders and external technology partners.

You will bridge business requirements and technology delivery, understand the wider systems landscape, and translate strategic objectives into practical solutions, leading a transformation agenda with significant

Qualifications

• 7-10+ years in a senior data/systems role within a commercial environment.
• Proven experience developing and delivering data and systems strategies.
• Strong knowledge of data modelling, systems integration, APIs, cloud databases and modern SaaS architectures.
• Experience with CRM, ERP and business-critical systems, ideally including Microsoft Dynamics 365.
• Strong stakeholder management with non-technical senior leadership.
• Experience managing third-party technology partners including procurement and SOWs.
• Good understanding of data governance, data quality, access controls and compliance.
• Experience leading or managing technology/data teams.
• Proficient with low-code platforms such as Power Platform.

Responsibilities

• Own and develop the organisation's overall Data & Systems strategy and roadmap across CRM, ERP, finance, manufacturing and operations.
• Collaborate with Finance, Commercial, Business Development, Operations to translate requirements into effective technology solutions.
• Provide strategic oversight of Dynamics 365 CRM upgrade, including target data model and reporting needs.
• Establish data governance frameworks ensuring data quality, ownership, access and compliance.
• Act as internal lead for external technology partners including vendor selection and SOW oversight.
• Lead and develop the Data & Systems team with clear direction and delivery goals.
• Coordinate with IT and other teams on infrastructure and integration requirements.
• Develop clear reporting on data and systems initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes through data, systems, automation and technology.
• Ensure data flows and integration points support ERP and systems transformation.

Skills

Data modelling

Systems integration

APIs

Cloud databases

SaaS architectures

CRM knowledge

Stakeholder management

Vendor management

Data governance

Team leadership

Low-code platforms

Power Platform

Dynamics 365

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics 365

Power Platform

Lovable

Job description

Head of Data

An established and growing organisation based in NI, this business is embarking on an exciting period of data transformation. As part of this journey, they are seeking an experienced Head of Data to take ownership of their data strategy, systems roadmap and key technology transformation initiatives.

This is a newly created senior position with significant visibility across the business. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping how data, systems and technology support future growth, working closely with senior stakeholders and external technology partners.

Salary / Benefits

• Competitive salary, dependent on experience
• Permanent, full-time position
• Hybrid working
• Senior leadership position with significant autonomy
• Opportunity to shape the organisation's data and systems strategy
• Lead a growing Data & Systems function
• High level of exposure to senior leadership and the Board

About your next employer

This is an established mid-market organisation undergoing an exciting period of transformation, with significant investment planned across its data, CRM, systems and technology infrastructure.

The business is looking for someone who can bridge the gap between business requirements and technology delivery, someone who can understand the wider systems landscape, challenge and manage third-party providers, and translate strategic objectives into practical solutions.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced data or systems professional to take genuine ownership of a transformation agenda and make a visible impact across the organisation.

About you

You will be an experienced Data, Systems, Business Analysis or Data Transformation professional, ideally with 7-10+ years' experience in a senior position.

You will have:

• Proven experience developing and delivering data and systems strategies within a commercial environment.
• Strong understanding of data modelling, systems integration, APIs, cloud databases and modern SaaS architectures.
• Experience working with CRM, ERP and business-critical systems, ideally including Microsoft Dynamics 365.
• Strong business analysis and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively with non-technical senior stakeholders.
• Experience managing third-party technology partners, including procurement, SOW definition, delivery oversight and quality assurance.
• A good understanding of data governance, data quality, access controls and compliance.
• Experience leading or managing technology/data teams.
• Sufficient technical fluency to understand and prototype solutions using low-code platforms such as Lovable or Power Platform.
• A pragmatic, commercially minded approach and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving, resource-conscious environment.

What you'll do

• Own and develop the organisation's overall Data & Systems strategy, creating a clear roadmap across CRM, ERP, finance, manufacturing and operational systems.
• Work closely with stakeholders across Finance, Commercial, Business Development, Operations and Maintenance to understand requirements and translate them into effective technology solutions.
• Provide strategic oversight of the Dynamics 365 CRM upgrade, including the target-state data model, reporting requirements and integration with wider business systems.
• Establish and maintain appropriate data governance frameworks, ensuring data quality, ownership, access and compliance are clearly defined.
• Act as the key internal contact for external technology partners, overseeing vendor selection, contracts, statements of work, delivery and quality assurance.
• Lead and develop the existing Data & Systems team, providing direction and ensuring effective delivery across the function.
• Work with IT and other internal teams to ensure infrastructure and integration requirements are properly considered.
• Develop clear reporting on data and systems initiatives
• Identify opportunities to improve business processes through better use of data, systems, automation and technology.
• Ensure that data flows and integration points are well designed as the organisation progresses towards future ERP and systems transformation.