Department: COO (Chief Operating Office )
Salary: £90,000 - £98,000 per annum plus benefits
Hours: Full-time ( we’re happy to discuss flexible working arrangements)
Location: Stratford, London Office-based with high flexibility ( typically 2 days per week in the office)
Closing date: 5 August 202 6 at 23:5 9
Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Data Operations to join us. In this newly created role, you'll lead the Cancer Research UK org-wide data operations capability, building a vision on how we use data as a trusted, high-quality asset that enables us to beat cancer faster . You'll spearhead improvements in data quality across critical datasets, whilst embedding clear data ownership and stewardship, making data more accessible, findable and reusable to support better decision-making and innovation. This will enable us to drive value across the organisation through improved performance, operational effectiveness and audience ‑ centric customer journeys.
This is a pivotal role at an exciting point in our data journey. As our ambition grows, so does our reliance on trusted, high-quality data to guide decisions, deepen relationships with our supporters, and speed up the pace of research. You'll shape how the whole organisation understands, values, and cares for its data, setting foundations that will serve CRUK for years to come.
Above all, this is a change and transformation role. Our teams are empowered and close to the audiences they serve, so you'll lead through influence, insight, and strong relationships rather than mandate. You'll be a persuasive advocate for the value of data. You'll make the case for ownership, stewardship, and good data management by tying each to the strategic outcomes colleagues care about most. You'll build belief, create momentum, and turn better ways of working into lasting habits across the organisation.
What will be some of the main responsibilities?
Lead the organisation-wide shift to treating data as a trusted, strategic asset which is critical to achieving our business goals . You will need to build the understanding, the belief, and the accountability structures that turn better data management into better decisions and business outcomes across a complex organisation.
Lead the development and implementation of a data quality framework across CRUK's critical datasets to ensure data is accurate , consistent, and fit for purpose across all priority operational and analytical use cases.
Develop and maintain a Business Information Model (BIM) that defines CRUK's core data entities, their relationships, and agreed definitions, providing the semantic foundation for data discovery and catalogue metadata.
Own data discovery and data observability capabilities (excluding data engineering pipeline build), ensuring CRUK's data assets are visible, understood, monitored for quality and health, findable and reusable across the organisation.
Ensure data protection requirements are built into data systems, processes, and projects from the outset, working in close partnership with the Data Privacy team to embed privacy-by-design principles.
Design and build the team structure, roles, and operating model within Data Operations and Governance to create a high-performing function, whilst providing clear direction and leadership.
What skills are we looking for?
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to diagnose root causes of data quality issues and design sustainable remediation approaches, working with others across the organisation.
Each and every one of our employees contributes to our progress and is supporting our work to beat cancer. We think that’s impressive.
In return, we make sure you are supported by a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools, policies and processes to enable you to do your job well.
Our benefits package includes a substantial retirement plan, a generous and flexible leave allowance, discounts on anything from travel to technology, gym membership, and much more.
We don’t forget people have lives outside of work too and so we actively encourage a flexible working culture.
Our work – from funding cutting-edge research to developing public policy – will change the world. It’s exciting to be part of our team.
We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won’t be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly and objectively.
For more information on this career opportunity please visit our website or contact us at [email protected] .
For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: Linked In , Facebook , Instagram , Twitter and YouTube .
Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.
We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen. Please contact [email protected] or 0 20 3469 8400 as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.
