Data Manager

New Opportunity: Data Management Lead Start: ASAP Duration: 6 Months Initially IR35 Determination: Inside Hybrid Working Arrangement: West Midlands You will be part of a brand-new team that will help the authority to establish and lead the Data Management capability, creating frameworks, standards and ways of working that are needed to treat data as a strategic asset. Responsibilities: • Define and publish the Council’s Data Management Policy, Standards and Operating Model (covering data quality, metadata/lineage, master/reference data, data lifecycle and retention) • Stand up and chair a Council-wide Data Stewardship network; support Heads of Service to nominate Data Owners and Stewards and agree RACI (federated model aligned to DDaT) • Select and configure pragmatic toolsets with ICT/BI (e.g., catalogue/metadata, quality rules, reference data registers) within Microsoft 365/Azure and existing reporting platforms • Embed controls and evidence for ethical, lawful and secure data use (GDPR, DPIA support with IG, retention schedules with Records Management); maintain registers for standards, quality rules and critical datasets • Create and monitor KPIs for data quality and stewardship adherence; publish improvement backlogs and quarterly progress reports to the DDaT/Data Governance Boards Requirements: • Public Sector experience ideally Local Government Essential • Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in Data/Information Management, Information Systems, Computer Science or related field • Proven experience leading data management practices across lifecycle (quality, metadata/lineage, Master Data Management/reference, retention/disposal) • Ability to interpret, analyse and synthesise complex datasets, metadata structures, data lineage diagrams and information governance requirements, presenting insights in clear, accessible language for non-technical audiences • Strong knowledge of DAMA-aligned data governance and practical KPIs If this is a role that you are interested in, you have public sector experience and are able to commit to Hybrid working in the Midlands then please apply with an up-to-date CV.