Head of Data, AI & Compliance

Urbanbubble Ltd; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

urbanbubble Ltd is seeking a Head of Data, AI & Compliance to shape how we use data, technology and insight to drive better decisions and performance. You will lead a multidisciplinary team, oversee our data warehouse, BI capability, AI adoption, and governance frameworks for compliance and operational excellence.

You will partner with the Senior Management Team, Board and clients to translate complex data into meaningful insights, balancing strategic leadership with hands-on delivery in design,

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading data, analytics, BI or reporting functions.
• Experience delivering data, AI or digital transformation strategies.
• Strong leadership experience managing multidisciplinary teams.
• Advanced knowledge of SQL, Power BI, Microsoft Fabric and modern data platforms.
• Experience presenting to executive teams, boards and clients.
• Strong understanding of data governance, GDPR and compliance frameworks.
• Commercially minded with the ability to balance innovation, risk and business priorities.
• Comfortable moving between strategic leadership and hands-on technical problem solving.
• Experience within Build to Rent, property management or another regulated sector.
• Microsoft Data, Power BI or Azure certifications.
• Audit, risk or compliance qualifications.
• Experience implementing AI solutions, forecasting models or automation tools.

Responsibilities

• Define and deliver urbanbubble's data, AI and compliance strategy.
• Lead, develop and inspire a multidisciplinary team.
• Set standards for reporting, data quality, governance and audit.
• Manage budgets and identify opportunities for future investment.
• Ensure business-critical reporting, processes and datasets are resilient and well governed.
• Own our data architecture, reporting platforms, data warehouse and Power BI / Fabric environment.
• Drive data governance, quality standards and reporting accuracy across the business.
• Oversee key client, investor and board reporting.
• Expand self-service reporting capabilities and improve data accessibility.
• Lead the adoption of AI and automation across urbanbubble.
• Identify opportunities to improve reporting, forecasting and operational efficiency.
• Ensure AI usage is governed, secure and aligned with company policy.
• Support development of predictive insights and data-driven decision making.

Skills

Data leadership

Team leadership

SQL

Power BI

Microsoft Fabric

Data governance

Stakeholder communication

GDPR/compliance

AI adoption

Tools

Azure

Power BI

Microsoft Fabric

Job description

As our Head of Data, AI & Compliance, you'll shape how we use data, technology and insight to drive better decisions, stronger performance and exceptional experiences across our communities. Leading a talented team, you'll oversee our data warehouse, reporting and BI capability, AI adoption, and the frameworks that help us measure compliance and operational excellence.

You'll be a trusted partner to our Senior Management Team, Board, clients and external stakeholders, helping turn complex data into meaningful insight and ensuring we continue to raise the bar. This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll balance big-picture thinking with practical delivery, setting the strategy, standards and direction while also getting involved in the design, development and review of technical solutions yourself.

Above all, you'll help us use data and technology in a way that supports our people, strengthens our communities and enables urbanbubble to keep growing with confidence.

Strategic Leadership

• Define and deliver urbanbubble's data, AI and compliance strategy.
• Lead, develop and inspire a multidisciplinary team.
• Set standards for reporting, data quality, governance and audit.
• Manage budgets and identify opportunities for future investment.
• Ensure business-critical reporting, processes and datasets are resilient and well governed.
• Own our data architecture, reporting platforms, data warehouse and Power BI / Microsoft Fabric environment.
• Drive data governance, quality standards and reporting accuracy across the business.
• Oversee key client, investor and board reporting.
• Expand self-service reporting capabilities and improve data accessibility.
• Lead the adoption of AI and automation across urbanbubble.
• Identify opportunities to improve reporting, forecasting and operational efficiency.
• Ensure AI usage is governed, secure and aligned with company policy.
• Support the development of predictive insights and data-driven decision making.

Compliance & Audit

• Own and develop our compliance measurement and assurance framework.
• Lead operational audit activity across the portfolio.
• Provide meaningful compliance reporting and risk insight to leadership teams.
• Ensure audit findings are tracked, resolved and embedded into continuous improvement.

Stakeholder Management

• Present insight, performance and recommendations to senior leaders, clients and board-level audiences.
• Act as the senior point of contact for data, reporting, AI and compliance matters.
• Support major system reviews, data migrations and business improvement initiatives.

What we're looking for

• Significant experience leading data, analytics, BI or reporting functions.
• Experience delivering data, AI or digital transformation strategies.
• Strong leadership experience managing multidisciplinary teams.
• Advanced knowledge of SQL, Power BI, Microsoft Fabric and modern data platforms.
• Experience presenting to executive teams, boards and clients.
• Strong understanding of data governance, GDPR and compliance frameworks.
• Commercially minded, with the ability to balance innovation, risk and business priorities.
• Comfortable moving between strategic leadership and hands-on technical problem solving.
• Experience within Build to Rent, property management or another regulated sector.
• Microsoft Data, Power BI or Azure certifications.
• Audit, risk or compliance qualifications.
• Experience implementing AI solutions, forecasting models or automation tools.

Who you are

You’ll be:

• A strategic thinker with a hands-on approach.
• Passionate about data, technology and innovation.
• An excellent communicator who can engage technical and non-technical audiences.
• Confident influencing stakeholders at all levels.
• Curious, commercially aware and solutions-focused.
• Committed to developing high-performing teams and driving continuous improvement.

Why urbanbubble?

This is a rare opportunity to shape a business-critical function at a time of significant growth and innovation. You’ll lead the future of data, AI and compliance across urbanbubble, helping us make better decisions, improve performance and deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients, residents and colleagues.

If you’re excited by the opportunity to make a lasting impact and lead meaningful change, we’d love to hear from you.

The role is based in Manchester at our offices in the Northern Quarter and we offer hybrid working!

urbanbubble requires people who are professional, hard-working, innovative, passionate, who are effective in their roles and who truly engage with the customer. We are an equal opportunity employer, and invite applicants to contact us to identify any additional support you may need during the recruitment process.