RC317 - Head of Applied Data Science & Strategy

Connected Places Catapult; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 68,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic leader to spearhead Data Science initiatives. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape strategies, drive business development, and foster innovation in a collaborative environment. With a commitment to inclusivity and professional growth, you will guide a talented team, manage key client relationships, and ensure the delivery of exceptional value. If you are passionate about creating impactful solutions and developing your career in a supportive atmosphere, this position is perfect for you. Join us in making a difference in the world of data-driven decision-making!

Benefits

9 day fortnight

23.5 holiday entitlement

Competitive pension

Volunteering leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Cash Health Plan

Payroll Giving scheme

Retail discounts

Qualifications

• Strong leadership skills in managing teams and driving performance.
• Experience in business development and client relationship management.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end accountability for Data Science initiatives.
• Drive client proposals and manage stakeholder relationships.
• Ensure quality delivery and oversee program budgets.

Skills

Coaching and Feedback

Emotional Intelligence

Performance Management

Change Management

Team Motivation

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Job description

We're committed to growing our talent and providing opportunities for development. If you're looking for a new challenge or want to build on your skills, we encourage you to apply. This role is a great opportunity to expand your experience, and we're here to support you every step of the way.

Location: London or Milton Keynes (minimum of two days a week in the office. You can do more than two days if preferable)

Reporting to: Regional and Local Growth Director

Working hours: Full time (9 day fortnight)

Contract type: Permanent

Salary: £68,000 - £75,000

Closing date: 9am 20th May 2025

This role is being advertised internally only.

The Role

Lead the end-to-end accountabilities for your area including people, strategy development and alignment, commercial leadership (marketing & account management, thought leadership, relationship development including partnership management and public affairs), business development, delivery management, workforce development, and monitoring and evaluating (including learning and knowledge creation).

Purpose of the role

Manage the end-to-end accountabilities for Data Science including:

• Set the direction through line of business strategy, aligned/nested within CPC strategy
• Lead line of Data Science from market thought leadership, opportunity and proposition development
• Collaborate with cross-business areas, strategic units, and corporate services

Key Responsibilities

• Meet revenue targets
• Drive the development and presentation of client proposals collaborating with teams across CPC
• Lead the development of collateral to support ‘go to market' propositions and service offerings
• Farm accounts - working with account leads and teams to support opportunity identification, qualification, and contracting
• Oversee and ensure compliant use of CRM process and system
• Ownership of pipeline management for accounts and business development
• Manage contracting with Legal and Commercial teams
• Shape, lead, and deliver value through guiding innovative delivery projects/engagements
• Ensure the quality of client delivery
• Act as SRO on delivery programmes and projects
• Oversee programme budgets
• Ensure dissemination and feedback on CPC standard internal communications
• Lead stakeholder management and relationship building at senior levels to ensure buy-in to innovation delivery
• Recognised thought leader
• Support the development of professions members' skills to ensure consistency of service delivery and expertise
• Coach and mentor junior colleagues
• Drive high attendance at Heads of Profession activities and events
• Maintain own professional development
• Ensure an ethos of equity, inclusivity, and diversity underpin your work activity, contribute to inclusive innovation across all Catapult activities
• You may be required to undertake any other reasonable duties to support the Catapult in achieving its strategic outcomes and ensure effective business operations

Requirements

Required Competencies

• Provide coaching and feedback that drives development, innovation, creativity, and delivery in team using key metrics and data points, offers challenge and support as required to maintain high performance.
• Use emotional intelligence to create an environment where team members feel safe to experiment, challenge, and try new things.
• Seek, encourage, and create the conditions for continuous improvements in processes, systems, behaviors, and ways of working.
• Build motivation and engagement in the team through understanding of the person, their aspirations, and development needs
• Manage performance through effective goal setting based on business and role objectives and development needs or desires. Complete regular one-on-one discussions and performance reviews that ensure clarity over performance levels and development areas.
• Provide clarity of expectations and take ownership of wider team performance.
• Manage change, navigate the team through the 'transition fog', mitigate resistance, and ensure everyone's on board with the new direction.
• Organize the work and team around multiple simultaneous initiatives, with reference to key policies, practices, and procedures, effectively prioritizing tasks and delegating effectively.
• Use management information to understand trends, gaps, challenges, and opportunities and make commercial decisions
• Actively build an inclusive and sustainability-focused team culture that celebrates the value of diverse experiences and perspectives, ensures team compliance with policies, and applies equalities impact assessments on all aspects of work at CPC

Benefits

• 9 day fortnight for everyone, with a full company shutdown every other Friday
• 23.5 holiday entitlement for everyone, with pro-rata calculations for part-time employees, along with a Christmas shutdown period for additional days off
• Competitive pension, up to 10% company contribution to help you save for your future
• Two paid days of volunteering leave per year (pro-rata for part-time employees) to support charitable activities
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing 24/7 confidential work/life support services to you and your immediate family members
• Cycle to Work Scheme with bike racks and showers available, encouraging a healthy and sustainable commute
• Cash Health Plan, offering reimbursement for a wide range of essential and everyday healthcare expenses, promoting your well-being
• Payroll Giving scheme, allowing regular charitable contributions from pre-tax income, maximizing the impact of your donations
• Discounts and offers from a wide variety of retailers, enhancing your purchasing power and providing savings opportunities

Employment here is based solely upon individual merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. We strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, colour, religion, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy status, sex, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, or any other characteristics protected by law. We also make all reasonable accommodations to meet our obligations under laws protecting the rights of the disabled.