Purview Lead

£500 + VAT per day 6-month Contract (Inside IR35) - Umbrella only Reading, Berkshire UK (Hybrid) Your new company We are a nationally recognised public sector organisation with a long-standing commitment to improving lives through education, innovation and community impact. As we continue our journey of digital and organisational transformation, data has become the backbone of how we understand our audiences, deliver services and make informed decisions. We are now entering a pivotal phase, implementing Microsoft Purview as the foundation of our future data governance, metadata management and organisational asset register. This programme is central to our long-term data strategy and we are determined to ensure it is delivered with rigour, clarity and accountability. To achieve this, we need a Purview expert who can guide the direction of the implementation, challenge and manage our external supplier, and ensure the Data team remains firmly in the driving seat. This is a rare opportunity to shape the governance, lineage and asset-management standards that will underpin how our organisation manages and trusts its data for years to come. Your new role This is not just another data governance contract. It's a chance to influence the organisation's data maturity at a critical moment and ensure Purview is implemented in a way that is strategic, scalable and aligned to our long-term vision. You'll act as the Purview subject-matter expert within the Data team, providing hands-on technical insight while also steering the supplier responsible for the implementation. You'll hold them to account, challenge assumptions, validate deliverables and ensure the solution meets the organisation's needs, not just the vendor's interpretation of them. A key part of your role will be shaping Purview as the organisation's central asset register, ensuring metadata, lineage, classifications and ownership models are designed and implemented correctly. You'll define expectations, shape the roadmap and ensure Purview is configured to deliver real value across governance, compliance and asset visibility. Working closely with the Head of Data Strategy & Standardisation, architects, data engineers and governance leads, you'll ensure every decision is grounded in best practice and aligned to organisational priorities. Your work will ensure the organisation gains not just a tool, but a trusted, well-designed governance and asset-management capability that elevates data understanding, transparency and accountability across the enterprise. What you'll need to succeed You are a Purview specialist with deep technical knowledge and a strong understanding of what a high-quality implementation looks like. You've worked with Purview in complex environments and you know how to configure, govern and operationalise it effectively, particularly in the context of asset registers, metadata models and lineage mapping. You understand data governance frameworks, classification models, ownership structures and compliance requirements, and you can confidently challenge suppliers on design decisions, delivery quality and technical feasibility. You've worked in data-driven transformation programmes and you're comfortable shaping direction, defining standards and ensuring stakeholders stay aligned. You can translate technical concepts into clear, actionable guidance for both technical and non-technical audiences. This isn't your first Purview implementation, and it shows. What you'll get in return This is a contract with purpose. Alongside a competitive daily rate, you'll gain exposure to strategic decision-making, complex governance challenges and the opportunity to shape the foundations of a long-term data strategy. You'll join a forward-thinking organisation that values expertise, innovation and collaboration and your work will directly influence how we govern, trust and use data for years to come. What you need to do now If you're ready to play a pivotal role in a high-impact data governance transformation, click 'apply' to submit your CV and begin a confidential conversation. Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk