Data & Business Intelligence Lead
Scientis Search Ltd · Milton Keynes, England, United Kingdom
Tailor my CV for this job — freeWe are seeking an experienced Data & Business Intelligence Lead who combines strong technical understanding of data architecture and business intelligence with excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and people leadership skills.
You will lead a multidisciplinary Data & Management Information team through a significant technology transformation, overseeing the transition from a legacy data warehouse to a modern Microsoft Azure data lake architecture.We are particularly interested in individuals who have developed their careers from a technical background into leadership positions. You will understand the complexities of data engineering, BI development and data architecture, enabling you to provide informed technical direction, challenge proposed approaches and support your team in resolving complex problems. This is a leadership position rather than a hands-on development role.Central to your success will be your ability to engage with internal stakeholders, understand their business challenges and translate their requirements into effective data and reporting solutions. You will be a confident and personable communicator, able to build trusted relationships, influence technical and non-technical colleagues and gain support for solutions that deliver genuine business value.Alongside your stakeholder responsibilities, you will lead and develop an established technical team, providing the direction, support and leadership required to deliver the organisation's evolving data strategy.The CompanyOur client is the financial services division of a major international organisation, with a UK team of approximately 350 people.The business offers an exceptionally collaborative and supportive working environment, where colleagues work closely across departments and are encouraged to share ideas, challenge existing approaches and contribute to continuous improvement.With a strong emphasis on employee development, teamwork and mutual respect, this is an organisation that genuinely values its people. The successful candidate will join a welcoming, highly professional team where they will have the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the business's ongoing technology transformation.The RoleReporting to the Head of Financial Performance, you will take responsibility for the leadership, development and delivery of the organisation's Data & Management Information capabilities.A central part of the role will be overseeing the transition from an established legacy data warehouse environment to a modern Azure-based data lake architecture, ensuring the business maintains access to accurate, reliable and meaningful information throughout the transformation.However, this is much more than a technical leadership role.You will act as a key interface between the Data & MI function and internal business stakeholders, working collaboratively to understand their operational and strategic requirements, identify opportunities for improvement and develop data solutions that deliver measurable business value.You will need the technical credibility to evaluate solutions and guide your team, combined with the interpersonal skills to communicate complex concepts clearly, challenge existing thinking constructively and gain stakeholder confidence and buy-in.Key ResponsibilitiesBusiness Partnering & Stakeholder EngagementBuild strong, trusted relationships with internal stakeholders across Finance and the wider business, developing a thorough understanding of their requirements and challenges.Translate business needs into effective data, reporting and analytical solutions that support operational performance and strategic decision-making.Present and communicate technical solutions to non-technical audiences, clearly articulating their benefits and gaining stakeholder support.Act as a trusted adviser on data and BI matters, helping internal customers understand the opportunities available through improved data management and analytics.Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define requirements, agree priorities and ensure solutions deliver against business objectives.Data Transformation & Technical LeadershipLead the transition from the organisation's legacy Cognos and SQL-based data warehouse environment to a modern Microsoft Azure data lake architecture.Provide technical leadership and oversight across data engineering, BI development, data architecture and reporting, ensuring solutions are robust, scalable and aligned with business requirements.Work closely with BI developers, data modellers and data engineers to evaluate technical approaches, resolve complex challenges and guide architectural decisions.Oversee the delivery of data and reporting solutions using technologies including Power BI, SQL, Azure Data Factory and Databricks.Ensure business-critical reporting remains accurate, reliable and accessible throughout the transformation.Challenge existing processes and technical approaches, identifying opportunities to improve data quality, reporting capabilities and operational efficiency.Team Leadership & DevelopmentLead, coach and develop a multidisciplinary Data & MI team covering data governance, quality assurance, analysis and BI development.Establish clear priorities, manage resources and ensure the effective delivery of technical and business objectives.Foster a supportive, collaborative and accountable team environment.Provide technical guidance and mentoring, supporting the professional development of team members.Work closely with internal and offshore technical teams to coordinate delivery and resolve complex challenges.Enterprise Data Ownership & GovernanceAct as Enterprise Data Owner, helping shape the organisation's data strategy and future technology capabilities.Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of data governance, quality and stewardship practices.Ensure data and reporting solutions support regulatory requirements, risk management and financial reporting obligations.Promote a culture in which data is recognised and managed as a valuable business asset.About YouWe are looking for an accomplished data and BI professional who combines strong technical understanding with the ability to engage, influence and lead people.Communication and stakeholder engagement are particularly important for this appointment. The successful candidate will be someone who enjoys interacting with colleagues across the business, can understand commercial and operational challenges, and has the confidence and credibility to recommend and gain support for appropriate technical solutions.You will ideally bring:Leadership & Interpersonal SkillsExcellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage confidently with technical and non-technical audiences.A demonstrable ability to understand business needs, develop solutions and influence stakeholders to adopt new approaches.Experience leading, managing and developing technical teams, with a supportive and collaborative leadership style.Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, combined with commercial awareness and a customer-focused mindset.The ability to explain complex technical concepts in accessible language and build effective working relationships across different business functions.A pragmatic, approachable personality and the confidence to challenge existing processes constructively.Technical Background & ExperienceA strong technical background in business intelligence, data engineering, data warehousing or data architecture, ideally having progressed from a hands-on technical role into team leadership.A thorough understanding of data warehouse architecture, data modelling, ETL processes and BI development, with the ability to provide informed technical guidance and challenge proposed solutions.Experience overseeing or contributing to data transformation programmes, particularly the migration of legacy data warehouse environments to modern cloud-based architectures.A good understanding of Microsoft data technologies, including Power BI, SQL and Azure-based data platforms.Familiarity with Azure Data Factory, Databricks and modern data lake architectures.An understanding of data governance, data quality and enterprise data management principles.The technical judgement and analytical ability to identify potential issues, evaluate alternative approaches and support technical teams in resolving complex problems.Previous experience with Cognos would be advantageous but is not essential.Experience within financial services or another data-intensive, regulated environment would be beneficial, although the ability to combine technical expertise with effective business engagement and team leadership is more important.Why Consider This Opportunity?This is an opportunity to take a leading role in a significant data transformation programme whilst working within a highly collaborative and people-focused organisation.You will have the autonomy to influence technical direction, develop the capabilities of your team and build relationships across the business, helping shape how data is managed, interpreted and used to support decision-making.For someone who enjoys combining technical problem-solving with people leadership and meaningful business interaction, this role offers considerable scope to make an impact within an established, supportive and forward-thinking organisation.