Head of Data Connect

Job Description Job Title: Head of Data Connect Posting Start Date: 08/12/2025 Job Id: 2009 School/Department: IT Services Work Arrangement: Full Time (Hybrid) Contract Type: Fixed-term Salary per annum (£): £61,759 to £69,488. Potential to progress to £80,524.00 Closing Date: 11/01/2026 The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university. We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Overview Data Connect (https://sheffield.ac.uk/data-connect) is a strategic priority initiative by the University of Sheffield and is one of the University’s Centres of Excellence. It has direct funding from the University Executive Board and the Yorkshire and Humber Secure Data Environment (YHSDE) to develop a sustainable service to support Health and Social Care Data Research across the University and in the wider region. The Data Connect service team is made up of Data Managers, Data Scientists, Project Managers and draws on support from Platforms and Systems Engineers and specialists from other teams. There is a team of 16 people both across the University of Sheffield and wider Yorkshire region including the YHSDE and South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (SYICB) We are seeking someone who is a strategic planner, who can ensure the Data Connect service is sustainable, adaptable, and positioned to meet the future demands of regional health data research. The individual needs to have the ability to manage a large and complex portfolio of work, balancing operational priorities with long-term strategic goals in a fast-evolving health and social care data landscape.A background in the technical practice, processes and governance needed to support research in the exciting field of health data is also highly desirable. Main duties and responsibilities Work with external groups and stakeholders to understand and adapt to activity and legislative changes in the use of health data in research across the UK (e.g. the NHS SDE and Health Data Research Service policy development). Liaise with researchers across the University (and beyond) to understand and promote how Data Connect can provide end to end data requirements for their current and future research projects. Create and maintain a strategic vision, roadmaps and plans to continue to develop the Data Connect service to meet the needs of the researchers and the strategic goals of the University, national ambitions in data science and work with regional partners, especially the YH SDE and South Yorkshire ICB to achieve this. Develop and maintain a pipeline of funded work that allows the Data Connect service to become sustainable. Manage the Data Connect team, both the core team and any project specific staff, ensuring that all team members have the capabilities to run the service and provide the support required by researchers. Develop skills and capacity within the team to ensure the service continues to evolve. Provide appropriate oversight, monitoring, visibility and reporting on roadmaps, plans, budgets and risks to stakeholders within ITS and the wider University Work with other colleagues across the University including those in Research and Innovation IT and the wider ITS department to support improvements in how we work together Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post Person Specification Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and are respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply. Criteria Essential/ Desirable Assessment Stage Demonstrable ability to lead the development and improvement of products and services, using understanding and analysis of the UK sector landscape to create a strategic vision Essential Interview Experience of the data governance of sensitive health data for research e.g. patient health records including knowledge of the use of data in research and data security standards eg. NHS DSPT, ISO27001, UK GDPR and Data Protection law Essential Application/ Interview Prior experience of managing sizable budgets and financial contracting. Essential Application/ Interview Experience with risk-based approach to information security Essential Application/ Interview Experience of leading a team of specialists and supporting them to continuously develop and improve a data/technical service. Essential Application/ Interview Skills in analysis, negotiation and strategic decision making Essential Interview/ Test Demonstrable ability to motivate high performance in others Essential Interview Knowledge of the UK SDE Network and experience of working with regional SDEs Desirable Application/ Interview Experience of working in collaboration with academic and ‘non-traditional’ researchers, e.g. NHS Clinicians, Ambulance Service support staff, and researchers employed by commercial organisations Desirable Application/ Interview Further Information Grade Grade 9 Salary £61,759 to £69,488 with progression to £80,524 with sustained exceptional performance Work arrangement Full-time Duration Until 30 April 2027 Line manager Head of Research and Innovation IT Direct reports Senior Research Project Manager Data Connect Service Administrator Our website https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/it-services/about () For informal enquiries about this job contact Saul Cozens, Head of Research and Innovation IT on s.cozens@sheffield.ac.uk Next steps in the recruitment process It is anticipated that the selection process will consist of an interview (including a presentation) for a panel of IT Service and Academic staff, and a stakeholder panel. A tour of the University campus can also be arranged. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within two weeks of the closing date. Contact it-services-recruitment@sheffield.ac.uk for further information or if you require any reasonable adjustments. Our vision and strategic plan We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision. What we offer A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more. Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles. Generous pension scheme. A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel. A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks). Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role. A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways and Professional Services Shared Skills Framework. A range of generous family-friendly policies paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies support for those going through the menopause paid time off and support for fertility treatment and more We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria you will be invited to to take part in the next stage of the selection process. Criminal record A basic DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role. Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window). Closing Date : 11/01/2026 We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.