Head of Data Platforms

McLaren Racing is transforming its Commercial operating model to unlock greater scale, efficiency and performance. As Head of Data Platforms, you will define and deliver the data architecture, platforms and governance that power that transformation.

Working closely with Commercial Technology and AI Transformation teams, you will create a trusted, scalable and connected data ecosystem that enables real-time decision making, automation and AI-driven capability.

This is not a traditional reporting or BI role. It is an opportunity to build the data backbone that underpins the future Commercial operating model and ensures data is treated as a strategic business asset.

What You'll Do

• Define and lead the Commercial data strategy, ensuring alignment with wider technology and AI transformation objectives.
• Establish a clear vision for data architecture, platform design, accessibility and data democratisation across the business.
• Design, build and evolve modern data platforms, including ingestion, integration, storage, transformation and serving layers.
• Develop scalable cloud-based data architectures, leveraging lakehouse, warehouse and modern data engineering principles.
• Partner with Commercial Technology teams to create API-first, integration-led solutions that connect systems and eliminate data silos.
• Define and implement common data models, customer and identity frameworks, and cross-platform interoperability standards.
• Create a single source of truth across Commercial functions, ensuring data is trusted, accessible and actionable.
• Work closely with AI Transformation teams to ensure data is structured, available and fit for AI, automation and advanced analytics use cases.
• Enable capabilities such as personalisation, segmentation, predictive analytics, decision support and intelligent automation.
• Establish robust data governance frameworks, including data quality, monitoring, ownership and accountability across the organisation.
• Ensure compliance, security and responsible data usage across all data platforms and processes.
• Enable self-service analytics and reporting through clean, accessible and governed datasets, avoiding dependency on a central reporting function.
• Support Commercial and Marketing teams in defining data requirements, key metrics and scalable insight capabilities.
• Translate business requirements into data platform solutions and clearly communicate data capabilities, opportunities and constraints to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Act as a key stakeholder partner across Commercial, Technology and AI functions, driving alignment and successful delivery of transformation initiatives.

• Proven experience leading data platform strategy, architecture and delivery within complex environments.
• Strong background in modern data architecture, including cloud-based platforms, lakehouse and data warehouse solutions.
• Deep understanding of data engineering, integration patterns and large-scale data transformation programmes.
• Experience building data platforms that support AI, automation, advanced analytics or machine learning solutions.
• Strong understanding of how data, systems and technology enable business processes and operational performance.
• Experience defining and implementing data governance, quality and operational frameworks.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills.

Desirable

• Experience supporting AI transformation, customer data platforms or advanced analytics initiatives.
• Knowledge of identity resolution, customer data frameworks and modern data ecosystems.
• Experience within sport, media, entertainment or other high-performance environments., * Able to connect data, technology and AI into practical, scalable business solutions.
• Commercially minded, focused on delivering measurable business value and performance.
• Platform-first in your thinking, with a passion for building long-term capability rather than short-term reporting solutions.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and shaping strategic direction.
• Strong collaborator who can work effectively across transformation, technology and business teams.
• Skilled at influencing and engaging both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Pragmatic, delivery-focused and motivated by creating long-term impact.
• Passionate about innovation, continuous improvement and high performance.

Pulled from the full job description

• Shuttle service provided
• Life insurance
• Company pension
• Private medical insurance
• Car scheme

At McLaren, our mission is to set the standard for high performance in sport. And everyone, in every part of the team, has a role to play. So if you want to test your ideas with the world watching... And measure your progress in milliseconds... And play your part in racing history... You belong here. High performance starts with you., What can McLaren offer? We constantly strive to be better tomorrow than we are today. Our ambition is to be the most pioneering and exhilarating racing team in the world, and our collective task is to set the standards for high performance in sport. We show up every day with energy and enthusiasm, ready to play our part. We encourage and support diversity, equity and inclusion. We will actively promote a culture that values difference and eliminates discrimination in our workplace. McLaren Racing is based at the iconic McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) near Woking. Here at McLaren, we offer hybrid working with 3 days a week based in the MTC. Our state of the art, sustainable campus offers many facilities including a gym, restaurant and indoor and outdoor break-out areas, as well as direct access to park and common land. The MTC is connected to Woking mainline station via regular shuttle buses, from which London Waterloo is a 30 minute train ride. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including private healthcare, car schemes, life insurance and generous pension contributions.