Location: Dartington House, Oxford, OX1 2JD
Salary: Competitive salary benchmarked externally
Contract: Full time, Permanent
Hybrid working: 2-3 days onsite working
Are you an experienced and visionary Chief Data Officer ready to shape the future of data at one of the world’s leading universities? This is a rare opportunity to establish and lead the Oxford Data Office within Digital and Information Services, creating the foundations for data to become a trusted, connected, accessible, and high-value institutional resource that supports evidence-based decision-making across research, teaching, and operations.
About Us
Spanning the historic streets of the “city of dreaming spires”, the University of Oxford has been ranked the world’s leading university for ten consecutive years. A place where centuries of tradition meet world-changing innovation, we offer you the chance to shape the future while working in an inspiring environment that promotes excellence. Here, you’ll contribute to an organisation which delivers ground-breaking research that tackles global challenges - from advancing sustainability to pioneering healthcare solutions - and join a diverse, inclusive community that champions your wellbeing, development, and aspirations. Apply now to become part of our extraordinary legacy.
The Oxford Data Office is being established to provide strategic leadership for how data is governed, connected, understood, and applied across the University. This post will play the central role in setting up that capability, defining its direction, and building its institutional impact from the ground up. The role sits within Digital and Information Services, a division that enables teaching, research, administration, and collaboration through digital services, infrastructure, governance, and transformation.
What We Offer
Working at the University of Oxford offers several exclusive benefits, such as:
38 days of annual leave (inclusive of public holidays) to support your wellbeing, with the option to purchase up to 10 extra days and additional leave after long service.
One of the most generous family leave schemes in UK higher education, offering up to 26 weeks of full-pay maternity and adoption leave, plus 12 weeks of full-pay paternity/partner leave.
A commitment to hybrid and flexible working to suit your lifestyle.
An excellent contributory pension scheme.
Affordable and sustainable commuting options, including a cycle loan scheme, discounted bus travel, and season ticket loans.
Access to a vibrant community through our social, cultural, and sports clubs.
About the Role
This is a pivotal senior leadership role within Digital and Information Services, reporting to the Chief Digital and Information Officer. As Chief Data Officer, you will lead the University’s data strategy, governance, enterprise data architecture, and analytics agenda, while also establishing the Oxford Data Office as a new institutional capability. You will help modernise how data is managed and used across Oxford, ensuring it is treated as a strategic asset that is reliable, connected, accessible, secure, and ethically used. You will provide strategic direction for data architecture, governance, quality, ownership, compliance, analytics, and reporting, working across divisions, departments, and professional services. This is a role with institution-wide reach and influence, requiring close collaboration with senior leaders and stakeholders to establish standards, design an effective operating model, build capability, and align data initiatives with Oxford’s academic, operational, and digital transformation priorities. You will also lead and develop a small senior team, including the Head of Data Governance and Architecture and the Data Enablement Lead, while fostering a broader culture of data literacy, stewardship, responsible data use, and evidence-based decision-making across the University.
About You
You will bring substantial experience of leading high-performing multidisciplinary teams across data, governance, architecture, analytics, or related functions, with a strong focus on clarity, development, delivery, and impact.
You will have a strong track record of shaping and embedding enterprise-wide data strategy, governance frameworks, and quality management practices within complex organisations.
You will be an accomplished strategic thinker, able to develop credible business cases, prioritise investment, and manage resources effectively in a complex and devolved environment.
You will have a strong understanding of modern data platforms, enterprise data architecture, and the practical steps needed to integrate data across complex systems and organisational boundaries.
You will be able to communicate complex data concepts with clarity and confidence, translating technical issues into institutional value and building strong relationships with senior technical and non-technical stakeholders across a diverse institution.
You will be confident managing resources, budgets, and large-scale programmes of work, balancing strategic ambition with pragmatic delivery in a complex environment.
This is a unique opportunity to shape the University’s data future at a formative stage: building a new capability, influencing at senior levels, and creating lasting foundations for how Oxford uses data to support excellence in teaching, research, and professional services.
Sponsorship and Right to Work
This role meets the criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa. The University will meet the cost of the Skilled Worker visa and NHS surcharge for applicants who require sponsorship.
Please let us know in your application if you require sponsorship.
Application Process
To apply, please upload:
The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday 13 July.
Interviews expected to take place near the end of July and will be held face-to-face.
