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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Head of Data Operations and Governance - **Company:** Cancer Research UK - **Location:** Stratford-upon-Avon, UK - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** £90,000.0 - £98,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Data Discovery, Information Engineering, Data Governance, Data Systems, DataOps, Build Management, Core Data, Data Management - **Published:** June 29, 2026 - **Apply:** https://uk.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=6459c9defeec50d3 ## About the Role Do you have experience in Leadership?, * Significant experience leading data governance, data quality, or data operations functions in a complex organisation. * Relevant experience designing and implementing data quality frameworks, data catalogues, or master data management programmes at scale. * Experience establishing data ownership and stewardship models, including engaging senior stakeholders to take on accountability for data assets. * Strong working knowledge of UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, and the practical application of privacy-by-design principles. * Experience managing and developing multidisciplinary data teams, including optimising organisational design to meet evolving organisational needs. * Ability to translate complex data governance concepts into accessible language and practical action for non-specialist audiences and executive stakeholders. * 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. * Collaborative working style with the ability to influence both technical and non-technical stakeholders without direct authority across a large, mission-driven organisation. ## Description We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Data Operations and Governance to join us. In this newly created role, you'll lead the Cancer Research UK org-wide data capability, building a vision on how we use data as a trusted, high-quality asset . You'll spearhead improvements in data quality across critical datasets, whilst embed ding clear data ownership and stewardship, mak ing 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. In a supportive working environment, you'll discover something new every day, whether it's a new connection, a new method of engagement or a talent you never knew you had. You'll also be surrounded by people who are as dedicated to beating cancer as you are. What will be some of the main responsibilities? * 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. * Define and govern enterprise data standards and integration guardrails to ensure consistency and scalability across CRUK's data and technology ecosystem, including MarTech platforms enabling audience engagement * Drive adoption of automation and AI-enabled approaches to proactively detect, diagnose, and resolve data quality issues at scale. * Establish and embed a data ownership and stewardship model across the organisation to ensure clear accountability for the quality, integrity, and compliant management of data assets. * 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., Each and every one of our employees contributes to our progress and is supporting our work to beat cancer. 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