Social Work England are the specialist regulator for social work in England, focused on enabling positive change in social work. Every day, social workers support millions of people to improve their chances in life. We are taking a new approach to regulating social workers in their vital roles. We believe in the power of collaboration and share a common goal with those we regulate – to protect the public, enable positive change and ultimately improve people’s lives.
The head of data management & insight leads Social Work England’s data insight, data management and data engineering capabilities as part of an integrated DDaT function.
The role ensures data is securely managed, well-governed, and effectively engineered, and that high quality insight and analytics are available to support our regulation, organisational performance and decision making.
Working closely with senior leaders and stakeholders across the organisation, the role translates organisational and regulatory needs into a clear data strategy, overseeing the development of data platforms, analysis and reporting. It ensures data is treated as a strategic asset underpinned by robust governance.
With a focus on delivering value and building data maturity, the role sets clear data priorities, develops insight and delivers a wide range of reporting including self-service dashboards. It puts strong data management and engineering foundations in place so that people across and beyond the organisation can make better decisions.
- Provide leadership and set clear direction for data management, data engineering, performance reporting and insight, ensuring high-quality delivery and continuous improvement across the full data lifecycle. Maintain and enhance own professional knowledge and awareness of best practice through participating in relevant learning and networks.
- Develop and deliver a strategy and forward plan for data management and insight, coordinating the delivery of priorities including data governance, data literacy, performance reporting and analysis.
- Provide strong, visible and inclusive leadership to the data and insight function, setting clear objectives and expectations while building a high performing, engaged and resilient team. Drive a culture of continuous learning by identifying and addressing capability gaps and supporting ongoing professional development.
- Lead the development of high-quality management information, insight and analysis, embedding best practice and consistent methodologies that ensure strong validation, clear documentation and quality assurance. Ensure the delivery of accurate and consistent performance reporting that supports organisational confidence and strategic decision making.
- Provide strategic leadership for the development and ongoing management of data platforms, pipelines and data infrastructure, ensuring scalable, secure and resilient data management and engineering solutions with clear ownership, architecture standards and long-term sustainability.
- Establish and maintain robust data governance, ensuring data is managed as a strategic organisational asset and complies with legal and regulatory requirements.
- Work collaboratively with finance, people and development and operational teams to develop and maintain forecasting models, performance and efficiency metrics which support organisational planning, budget-setting and resource decisions.
- Promote the further development of self-service reporting and data literacy across the organisation to foster a data driven culture, enhancing organisational capability to use data and insight effectively.
- Provide strategic leadership and expertise for data related change across core systems and digital platforms, ensuring data capabilities are aligned with organisational priorities and deliver long term value.
- Act as data workstream lead for our DDaT improvement programme, coordinating and delivering priority projects to make Social Work England a more digitally mature, service-oriented regulator.
- Collaborate effectively as a member of the wider directorate and organisational leadership team, prioritising what is most important for the organisation as a whole and role modelling our values and leadership behaviours.
- Maintain and strengthen Social Work England’s analytical capability, drawing upon external expertise and professional development where relevant. Collaborate effectively with our internal research team and operational teams to identify and deliver priority pieces of analytical and evaluation work.
- Significant expertise and experience in data management, data governance and data quality, including the design and implementation of data standards and controls.
- Ability to combine strong technical and analytical expertise with the ability to set direction and embed effective use of data across an organisation.
- Extensive experience of delivering performance reporting, management information and statistical analysis at a senior level in a complex organisation.
- Strong leadership and people management experience, including accountability for line management, performance management, capability development and wellbeing within multidisciplinary teams.
- Knowledge and experience of data architecture, including the design and development of organisational data models, data platforms, and quality/technical standards that support analytics, insight and secure data use.
- A demonstrable commitment to inclusion and diversity, championing equitable and ethical use of data, addressing bias in insight and reporting, and fostering an inclusive, high performing team culture.
- Strong technical experience of using data tools and software (e.g. Power BI, SQL, Excel) with a sound understanding of how to work across a wider data and analytics technology stack.
- Experience of building effective relationships and influencing at all levels including senior management and board members.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to explain complex data and technical concepts and insights clearly credibly orally and in writing.
In addition to your salary, we also offer:
- Hybrid working
- 25 days annual leave, rising with service to 30 days per annum, plus bank holidays.
- The option to purchase up to an additional 5 days of annual leave per annum.
- A TIDE award-winning inclusive culture, with staff networks, social events and forums.
- A contributory NEST pension, life insurance, an employee recognition scheme and cycle to work scheme.
- Job type: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full time. We offer flexible working subject to business need.
- Salary: £63,526 per year rising to £65,924 per year after successful completion of a 6-month probationary period.
- Location: Sheffield/Hybrid
During the application process, you'll be asked to provide answers to three questions from the job description. These answers will be what your application is scored on, please answer in as much detail as possible using examples where necessary.
If you are successful at interview, we will carry out a series of routine pre-employment checks. These include verifying your references, confirming your right to work in the UK, and completing a Basic DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.
These checks are conducted in partnership with our third-party provider, Amiqus, who will guide you through the process.
Please note that all offers of employment are subject to the satisfactory completion of these checks. If you have any questions or concerns please contact our recruitment team via [email protected] and our team will be happy to help.
If you have any queries about the recruitment process, or would like to discuss the role, please contact [email protected].
To apply, complete the application form by the closing date.
At interview we will seek to further understand your skills, knowledge, experience and motivation and test the key competencies of the role. If you are successful, we will undertake routine pre-employment checks.
