Head of Data Services / Data Practice Lead

JR United Kingdom; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned recruitment firm in Bournemouth is seeking a Head of Data Services to shape and deliver their data strategy. The role involves developing market positions and leading cross-functional teams while engaging directly with clients. Candidates should have a strong educational background in relevant fields and proven experience in data consulting or leadership roles. This role offers the chance to impact strategic direction and innovation within the organization.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in defining and delivering data strategies.
• Experience in consulting or product management.
• Hands-on involvement in pre-sales and proposal development.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own the vision for data services.
• Collaborate with sales to craft customer-centric narratives.
• Mentor cross-functional teams to deliver high-value data solutions.

Skills

Leadership in data strategy

Client-facing experience

Communication skills

Commercial acumen

Education

Degree in Computer Science, Data, Business, or related

Tools

Microsoft Fabric

Databricks

Snowflake

AWS

Job description

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Head of Data Services / Data Practice Lead, bournemouth

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Client:

Stanton House

Location:

bournemouth, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Views:

2

Posted:

26.08.2025

Expiry Date:

10.10.2025

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Job Description:

Head of Data Services / Data Practice Lead

We are seeking an experienced Data Services Lead to take ownership of shaping, driving, and delivering the vision, strategy, and go-to-market approach for our data services and solutions. This is a strategic yet hands-on role, designed for someone who can set direction, engage with customers, and enable delivery teams to execute high-impact data solutions.

This individual will play a pivotal role in positioning our data capabilities in the market, building strong partnerships, and ensuring that offerings evolve in line with emerging technologies and client needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and own a forward-looking vision and strategy for data services, including accelerators, reference architectures, and methodologies.
• Translate market trends, emerging technologies, and customer needs into actionable plans.
• Shape the practice direction, ensuring alignment with broader business goals.

Market Research & Go-to-Market Leadership

• Continuously monitor industry trends and competitor activity to identify growth opportunities.
• Collaborate with sales specialists to craft compelling, customer-centric narratives.
• Develop go-to-market materials such as thought leadership content, solution collateral, pitch decks, and customer-facing assets.
• Act as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert (SME) for clients, internal teams, and senior stakeholders.
• Support pre-sales activities including scoping, proposals, and presentations.
• Confidently engage face-to-face with clients, building trust and credibility.

Delivery Enablement & Practice Building

• Work closely with delivery teams to ensure readiness for new offerings, including training, resourcing, and frameworks for best practice.
• Mentor and guide cross-functional teams to deliver consistent, high-value data solutions.
• Champion a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

Partnership & Ecosystem Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with technology partners (e.g., cloud providers, data platform vendors).
• Integrate partner offerings into strategies and client solutions to add value and extend capabilities.

Commercial & Strategic Impact

• Support costing, pricing, and structuring of proposals and bids.
• Drive measurable business outcomes through data initiatives and adapt strategy based on performance.
• Balance strategic thinking with a hands-on approach to execution.

What We’re Looking For

Education & Background

• Degree-level education in a relevant field (Computer Science, Data, Business, or related).
• Strong professional achievements in data consulting, product management, or data leadership roles.

Experience & Skills

• Proven leadership in defining and delivering data strategies or transformation programs.
• Experience in consulting, product management, or other client-facing roles.
• Hands-on involvement in pre-sales, solution scoping, and proposal development.
• Track record of creating thought leadership content and customer-facing collateral.
• Commercial acumen with experience in costing and pricing solutions.

Technical Expertise

• Strong knowledge of modern data platforms (e.g., Microsoft Fabric, Databricks, Snowflake, AWS).
• Familiarity with data governance, data strategy, and enterprise data foundations.
• Technical proficiency at Solution/Architect level (Level 2–3).

Soft Skills

• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Adept at conveying complex concepts simply to both technical and business audiences.
• Strategic mindset with the flexibility to be hands-on when needed.
• Confident, engaging presenter with experience in face-to-face client interactions.

Why This Role?

This is an opportunity to own and shape a data practice at a strategic level while staying hands-on with clients, partners, and delivery teams. You’ll have the autonomy to define vision, the influence to impact go-to-market strategy, and the platform to drive transformational change for clients.