Group Head of Data

The Group Head of Data is SSE’s Chief Data Officer, accountable for setting and delivering the group-wide data strategy and establishing the enterprise capabilities required to manage data as a strategic asset. The role holds the mandate for data governance, data management, data technologies and platforms, data architecture and engineering, and the data profession. It will also shape SSE’s direction, requirements and interfaces for information management, working collaboratively with the relevant accountable functions as the longer-term ownership of that capability is confirmed. Together, these responsibilities will create trusted, accessible and reusable data and information foundations that strengthen operational resilience, improve enterprise decision-making and enable SSE’s growth, digital products, analytics and AI. Working collaboratively with CIOs and Business Unit Data and AI leaders, the role will set enterprise direction, operate common capabilities and provide the support and frameworks for consistent execution, while Business Units retain accountability for their priorities and outcomes.

You will

• Own and execute SSE’s group-wide data strategy, operating model, priorities and investment direction, establishing clear mandates, decision rights and accountability across the enterprise and Business Units.
• Establish and operate enterprise data governance and data management as distinct but connected capabilities, covering data domains, ownership and stewardship, metadata, lineage, classification, quality, master and reference data, access, sharing and assurance; and collaboratively shape the requirements, standards and interfaces for information management with the relevant accountable functions.
• Set the direction for secure, resilient and cost-effective enterprise data technologies, platforms and services, including lifecycle, performance, investment and supplier decisions.
• Define enterprise data architecture, modelling, engineering, integration and API standards, and enable their consistent implementation through reusable patterns, automation, code and DataOps practices.
• Provide trusted data foundations, standards and guardrails that enable and support Business Units to deliver reporting, analytics, data products and AI-enabled solutions safely, consistently and at pace.
• Lead and develop SSE’s data profession, building leadership capability, skills, inclusive career pathways, communities and data fluency across enterprise and Business Unit teams.
• Partner collaboratively with CIOs, Business Unit Data and AI leaders and control and assurance functions to address cross-SSE dependencies, manage material data risks and demonstrate measurable improvement in trust, reuse, control and business value.

• Extensive senior leadership experience across data and related technology disciplines in a large, complex organisation, with a proven track record of shaping enterprise strategy and translating it into operating capability and measurable outcomes.
• Proven experience leading data strategy, data governance and data management as distinct but connected disciplines, including operating capabilities for ownership, stewardship, metadata, lineage, quality, master and reference data, access, sharing and assurance, together with working knowledge of information management disciplines and their interfaces with data.
• Strong operating knowledge of enterprise data architecture, engineering, cloud data platforms, integration, APIs, DataOps, observability, automation, analytics, data products and the data foundations required for AI.
• Demonstrable experience building, developing or materially reshaping enterprise data functions, platforms and professional capability, while enabling and supporting Business Unit delivery through common standards, services and governance.
• The ability to build trusted relationships with and advise senior leaders, working collaboratively with CIOs and senior business leaders, providing constructive challenge and making complex data, technology and risk choices clear and accessible.
• Sound commercial, financial and regulatory judgement, with experience of investment prioritisation, suppliers, licensing, benefits realisation and collaborating across Cyber, Privacy, Legal, Risk and Regulatory functions.

Salary: £101,000 - £151,400 + car/car allowance + performance-related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.

About SSE

SSE’s purpose is to provide energy needed today while building a better world of energy for tomorrow. We do this by developing, building, operating and investing in electricity infrastructure and businesses needed in the energy transition. Our Transforming for Growth investment plan sees us investing £33bn in critical electricity infrastructure across the five years to 2030.

Our IT division powers growth across all SSE business areas by making sure we have the systems, software and security needed to take the lead in a low carbon world. They provide expertise, advice and day-to-day support in emerging technologies, data and analytics, cyber security and more.