Head of Digital, Data and Technology

Yorkshire Cancer Research; Harrogate; On-site; GBP 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Yorkshire Cancer Research, based in Harrogate, seeks a strategic Head of Digital, Data and Technology to unite digital, data, CRM and cybersecurity across the charity. You will shape the technology roadmap, guard data assets, and ensure secure, user-centered platforms that support fundraising and service delivery.

The role requires leading a multidisciplinary team and partnering with trustees to prioritise innovative initiatives while maintaining robust governance and risk management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant subject.
• Advanced understanding of digital systems, hardware and software management.
• Evidence of continuous professional development relevant to the role.
• Proven experience leading digital, data and technology strategy in a complex organisation.
• Experience delivering large digital, infrastructure and transformation projects using recognised project management approaches.
• Strong knowledge of CRM concepts and Dynamics 365.
• Experience of data governance, data compliance and data quality management, including GDPR.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the charity’s digital, data and technology strategy, ensuring it supports organisational priorities.
• Develop and maintain an enterprise architecture and technical roadmap so systems are integrated, scalable, secure and future focused.
• Advise senior leadership and trustees on digital trends, risks, opportunities and investment priorities.
• Lead the charity’s data strategy, treating data as a strategic asset for insight and decision-making.
• Develop and embed data governance frameworks covering stewardship, quality, lineage, lifecycle management and reporting standards.
• Lead the charity’s approach to artificial intelligence with safety, ethics and transparency.
• Identify opportunities for AI and automation to improve productivity and supporter experience.
• Build AI literacy and confidence across the charity and provide practical guidance on data privacy and usage.
• Lead information security, data compliance and cyber risk frameworks with proportionate controls.
• Own and develop the charity’s cybersecurity strategy and resilience across systems and platforms.
• Manage CRM and data management to support fundraising, engagement and reporting.
• Oversee CRM integration with digital platforms to ensure data integrity and reporting.
• Lead multidisciplinary digital, data and technology teams with a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Skills

Digital strategy

Data leadership

Cybersecurity

Cloud platforms

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Dynamics 365

ITIL

Azure

Job description

Job title: Head of Digital, Data and Technology

Role profile: Head of Digital, Data and Technology Role Profile

Directorate:Finance and Corporate Services

Salary: £75,000 per annum

Hours:Full-time, 37 hours per week

Closing date:31 August 2026

Permanent or Fixed Term:Permanent

About Us

Yorkshire is one of the regions hardest hit by cancer. Together, we can change this.

Yorkshire Cancer Research is a charity dedicated to funding research so that you and those you love live longer healthier lives, free of cancer.

Thanks to supporters, the charity funds vital cancer research and pioneers innovative new services for people with cancer. These life-giving medical breakthroughs are helping more people survive cancer – in Yorkshire, and beyond.

As an inclusive employer, our aim is to ensure our workforce reflects the rich diversity of our region. We believe a diverse workforce is vital to us taking action to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer more effectively in Yorkshire. We offer equal opportunities regardless of race, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnerships.

We’ve got a strong set of values that inform everything we do, and we’re looking for people who are aligned with these. As a Head of Digital, Data and Technology, you will put people in Yorkshire at the heart of everything you do, unite with colleagues and other organisations in this cause, and dare to think big and bold to make positive solutions happen.

To find out more about our values and how important they are to us, please read the role profile linked above.

The Benefits

We offer a wide and generous range of benefits designed to support our employees through every stage of life.

The Role

As a Head of Digital, Data and Technology, you will provide leadership for the charity’s digital, data, technology, CRM, AI and cybersecurity agenda, ensuring systems, platforms and data are secure, accessible, user-centred and aligned to organisational priorities.

Specifically, you will:

• Define and lead the charity’s digital, data and technology strategy, ensuring it supports organisational priorities, strengthens delivery and aligns with the long-term operating model.
• Develop and maintain an enterprise architecture and technical roadmap so systems are integrated, scalable, secure, cost-effective and future focused.
• Advise senior leadership and trustees on digital trends, risks, opportunities and investment priorities.
• Lead the charity’s data strategy, treating data as a strategic asset that enables insight, improved outcomes and informed decision-making.
• Develop and embed data governance frameworks covering stewardship, quality, lineage, lifecycle management, ethical use and reporting standards.
• Lead the charity’s approach to artificial intelligence, ensuring AI is used safely, ethically, transparently and in line with organisational values, risk appetite and data protection obligations.
• Identify opportunities for AI and automation to improve productivity, supporter experience, insight, service delivery and operational effectiveness, with appropriate human oversight and accountability.
• Build AI literacy and confidence across the charity, including practical guidance on appropriate use, limitations, data quality, confidentiality, intellectual property and over-reliance risks.
• Lead the charity’s information security, data compliance and cyber risk frameworks, ensuring proportionate controls are in place to protect systems, funds, sensitive data and digital assets.
• Own and develop the charity’s cybersecurity strategy, ensuring cyber risk is actively managed as an organisational risk aligned to the charity’s size, complexity, data assets, retail operations and digital ambitions.
• Maintain cyber resilience across infrastructure, cloud services, endpoint devices, CRM, finance systems, retail technology and third-party platforms, with effective prevention, detection, response and recovery arrangements.
• Lead the CRM and data management function, ensuring the system supports fundraising, engagement, supporter experience, reporting and operational efficiency.
• Oversee CRM integration with other digital platforms and tools to support consistent data flows, effective user experience and reliable reporting.
• Lead, develop and inspire multidisciplinary digital, data and technology teams, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.

About You

To be considered for this role, you will need:

• To have a Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant subject or equivalent industry experience.
• To have an advanced understanding of, preferably with a formal qualification or evidence of training in digital systems, hardware, and software management.
• To have evidence of continuous professional development relevant to the role and level.
• To have proven experience of leading digital, data and technology strategy and delivery in a complex organisation, with the ability to achieve strategic outcomes on time and within budget.
• To have experience of delivering complex digital, infrastructure and transformation projects, using recognised project management approaches and leading effective multidisciplinary teams.
• To have strong knowledge of digital systems, infrastructure, enterprise architecture, cloud services and service management, including ITSM and ITIL principles.
• To have experience of designing, maintaining and securing digital platforms, infrastructure and data assets, including delivery of cybersecurity initiatives and compliance with agreed frameworks.
• To have a strong understanding of CRM principles, strategies and technologies, including experience with Dynamics 365 or similar platforms.
• To have experience of data governance, data compliance and data quality management, including GDPR, data integrity, ethical data use and secure handling of sensitive information.
• To have excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex digital, data and technology concepts for a wide range of audiences.

• To have strong interpersonal, networking and influencing skills, with the confidence to engage, persuade and build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• To have excellent organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage competing demands, meet deadlines and coordinate multiple complex projects.
• To have strong analytical and numeracy skills, with the ability to research, interpret and present information clearly to support informed, commercially aware decision-making.
• To have proven ability to deliver projects and objectives on time and within budget, working autonomously and collaboratively as required.
• To be a calm, logical and constructive problem-solver, able to manage complexity, adapt to change and reduce potential conflict through clear communication.

Yorkshire Cancer Research is a responsible and flexible employer. We welcome any discussion for flexible working at the interview/offer stage where we will consider an individual’s circumstances against the needs of the charity.

We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. If we can make any reasonable adjustments to support your application please contact us.