Head of Data & Intelligence

Hackney Borough Council; Greater London; Remote; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Hackney Council seeks an exceptional data leader to transform how data, intelligence and performance information shape decisions and improve public services for residents. You will lead the enterprise data and intelligence strategy, covering data platforms, analytics, engineering, architecture, quality and ethics, with responsible AI and automation at the core.

This is a strategic, delivery-focused role in a politically accountable environment.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience in a large, complex and politically sensitive organisation.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams across data engineering, analytics, insight, architecture or performance.
• Evidence of using data and intelligence to influence major decisions and deliver measurable improvements for residents or customers.
• Experience of designing effective corporate performance frameworks and benefits-realisation arrangements.
• Successful leadership of complex data platforms, products, migrations or transformation programmes.
• An ability to engage and influence elected Members, senior leaders, services and external stakeholders.
• A strong understanding of data governance, ethics, quality, privacy, security and responsible innovation.
• Evidence of using data, AI or automation to improve productivity, reduce costs or deliver greater public value.
• A commitment to developing people, professional capability and inclusive, high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery of Hackney's enterprise data and intelligence strategy and a coherent corporate performance framework.
• Oversee data platforms, analytics, data engineering and migration, data architecture and data quality to inform evidence-based decisions.
• Champion responsible use of AI and automation with governance and transparency.
• Communicate clearly with senior officers, elected Members and services to turn insight into action.
• Create a culture of curiosity, capability-building and evidence-based decision-making across the Council.

Skills

Executive leadership

Enterprise data strategy

Multidisciplinary teams

Stakeholder engagement

Data governance

AI & automation

Performance analysis

Public sector insight

Job description

Hackney Council is looking for an exceptional data leader to transform how data, intelligence and performance information shape decisions, improve public services and deliver better outcomes for residents.

This is a significant corporate leadership role with the opportunity to establish an integrated Data and Intelligence function and influence strategy, investment, performance and transformation across the whole Council.

You will lead the development and delivery of Hackney's enterprise data and intelligence strategy. Your portfolio will include data platforms and management, analytics and insight, data engineering and migration, data architecture, data quality and standards, corporate performance, data ethics, and the responsible application of artificial intelligence and automation.

This is not simply a technical data role. We need a strategic and delivery-focused leader who can turn complex information into clear organisational intelligence, challenge assumptions and ensure that insight leads to action.

You will work with senior leaders, elected Members and services to identify the questions that matter most. You will ensure they have access to timely, trusted and accessible evidence about resident needs, inequalities, demand, performance, cost and risk. Your leadership will help the Council make better decisions, target resources effectively, identify emerging pressures and demonstrate whether investment and transformation are achieving their intended benefits.

A key priority will be developing a coherent corporate performance framework that connects the Council's ambitions with meaningful measures, clear accountability and timely intervention. You will help the organisation move beyond reporting activity towards understanding outcomes, causes, risks and the action required to improve performance.

You will also lead the responsible use of AI, automation and advanced analytics. This means identifying opportunities that can improve services and organisational efficiency while ensuring appropriate governance, transparency, human oversight and protection against bias, exclusion and unintended consequences.

We are looking for a visible, inclusive and influential leader who can bring together multidisciplinary professional teams and strengthen the Council-wide data and analytics community. You will build capability, improve data literacy and create a culture of curiosity, professional challenge and evidence-based decision-making.

Operating in a complex and politically accountable environment, you will build trusted relationships with senior officers, elected Members, partners, communities, suppliers and professional networks. You will need to communicate complex technical and analytical issues clearly, navigate competing priorities and secure commitment to significant organisational change.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Significant senior leadership experience in a large, complex and politically sensitive organisation.
• A strong record of developing and implementing enterprise data, insight or performance strategies.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams across data engineering, analytics, insight, architecture or performance.
• Evidence of using data and intelligence to influence major decisions and deliver measurable improvements for residents or customers.
• Experience of designing effective corporate performance frameworks and benefits-realisation arrangements.
• Successful leadership of complex data platforms, products, migrations or transformation programmes.
• An ability to engage and influence elected Members, senior leaders, services and external stakeholders.
• A strong understanding of data governance, ethics, quality, privacy, security and responsible innovation.
• Evidence of using data, AI or automation to improve productivity, reduce costs or deliver greater public value.
• A commitment to developing people, professional capability and inclusive, high-performing teams.

This is an opportunity to shape a critical corporate function and ensure that trusted evidence becomes central to how Hackney understands its communities, improves performance and makes decisions.

Success in the First 12 Months

• Establish a clear data and intelligence strategy and target operating model, aligned with the outcome of the Council's wider SES review and organisational priorities.
• Strengthen data governance, ownership, quality and accessibility, enabling trusted and responsible use of data across the Council.
• Improve the availability of timely, accessible and actionable intelligence to support strategic decision-making, service improvement and better outcomes for residents.
• Expand the use of analytics, automation and insight to identify inequalities, understand demand, measure impact and uncover opportunities for greater efficiency.

As a Council, our most outstanding asset is our staff, who are highly dedicated to serving our residents and committed to our goals as an organisation.

We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud. In order to achieve this, we are seeking individuals who embody our "PROUD" values: Purpose and Respect, where we foster belonging through active inclusion, kindness, and open dialogue; Ownership, where we champion proactive collaboration and accountability for our shared success; and Unity and Diversity, where we work as one Council to break down silos and champion anti-racist behavior.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.

The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: [e-mail]

Closing date for applications: 11 October 2026 (22.59)

Interview date: TBC

Please note – we reserve the right to close applications early if we receive a high number of applications.