Director of Data Services

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Director of Data Services

Application Deadline: 6 December 2024

Department: Social Surveys

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: London, UK

Description

This is an exciting career opportunity for a data specialist to join the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) as Director of Data Services.

NatCen carries out some of Britain's best known and highly regarded social surveys such as the British Social Attitudes survey, the English Housing Survey and the Family Resources Survey. We carry out a wide range of projects for central government, charities and other public sector organisations, as well as world-leading longitudinal and cohort studies including the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). Our projects use the full range of data collection techniques and we are actively developing our approaches, offering new opportunities for methodological innovation and ensuring that surveys embrace new technologies while maintaining data quality.

What you will do...

The role will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for NatCen's data service for social surveys. You will lead the modernisation of NatCen's data service, identifying opportunities for efficiencies and quality improvements, exploring the potential for AI and other new technologies to support this. You will be responsible for leading NatCen's data strategy for quantitative survey data. Ideally, you will bring experience of the implementation of new data applications which have driven productivity and insight in the management of data.

What you will need...

The successful candidate will be a visible technical leader, leading innovation and transformation in data services. You will have a good understanding of new technology such as AI in relation to data processing, as well as how other organisations carry out survey programming, data processing, data management and data delivery, and be able to assess benefits of new approaches and technology for NatCen. You will need a successful track record of managing large and complex data processes and proven experience leading data strategy and transformation initiatives. You will have solid experience of survey research programming and data processing. This could include experience gained in market research, academia, government, or other settings.

The role includes providing leadership and guidance to our teams of specialists covering survey programming, data operations, data management, and statistics. You will need a track record of developing and leading high-performing teams of data specialists.

Benefits

As well as a competitive salary, an excellent working environment (including a home/office hybrid working environment), you will be working for the largest independent social research organisation in the UK. We are proud of the benefits we offer our employees which include:

• 25 days holiday (plus 8 bank holidays) and flexible working
• Generous company pension scheme
• Life insurance and health cash plan
• Cycle to Work scheme and season ticket loan
• Career development, professional subscriptions support and mentoring support from industry-leading experts.