Head Data

Role purpose

myPulse.io is seeking a strategic, delivery-focused and hands-on Head of Data to own the enterprise data strategy and lead the design, governance, execution and continuous improvement of our Azure-based data platform. The role will build a trusted, resilient and AI-ready data capability, while leading the team responsible for data engineering, analytics, quality, governance, and operations.

Key accountabilities

Strategy & leadership

• Define and execute the enterprise data strategy, architecture roadmap and data operating model aligned to business priorities.
• Build, lead and mentor a multidisciplinary data team; establish clear ownership, delivery standards and measurable outcomes.
• Act as the senior data partner for Technology, Product, Risk, Operations and Business Leadership.

Platform architecture & execution

• Own and enhance Azure Synapse, Azure SQL ODS, Data Factory, Logic Apps, Event Hub, Function Apps, APIM, Power BI, Azure Monitor and Log Analytics.
• Drive the transition from SQL mini-batch ingestion toward event-driven and near real-time processing, while maintaining a stable reporting contract across Staging, Transformation and Reporting layers.
• Ensure performance, scalability, cost control, workload isolation, secure integration and fit-for-purpose engineering standards.

Governance, quality & trust

• Establish data ownership, stewardship, cataloguing, business glossary, lineage, classification, retention and role-based access controls.
• Implement reconciliation, validation, quality scorecards, anomaly detection and root-cause remediation for critical datasets.
• Ensure datasets are trusted, traceable, auditable and suitable for regulated business use.

Analytics, AI & business value

• Lead governed enterprise reporting, Power BI standards and self-service analytics adoption.
• Create the data foundation for AI, machine learning, automation and data-enabled products.
• Translate business needs into a prioritised delivery roadmap with clear benefits and stakeholder accountability.

Resilience, security & operations

• Define backup, disaster recovery, business continuity, RPO/RTO, monitoring, alerting, on-call and incident response requirements.
• Establish operational runbooks, capacity planning, service metrics and regular recovery testing.
• Partner with Security and Infrastructure teams on managed identities, Key Vault, Entra ID access and secure API exposure.

Delivery & stakeholder management

• Own the portfolio, budget, vendors, architecture governance, delivery risks and executive reporting for the data function.
• Support audits, regulatory reviews and technology due diligence with accurate evidence and remediation plans.

Experience & capabilities

• Significant senior experience across data engineering, architecture, analytics or data leadership, including leading teams and complex changes.
• Strong delivery experience with Azure data platforms, particularly Synapse, Azure SQL, Data Factory, Event Hub, Function Apps, Power BI, Python and SQL.
• Proven expertise in modern data modelling, ELT/ETL, event-driven architecture, APIs, governance, lineage, data quality and platform observability.
• Experience operating in financial services, fintech, SaaS, payments or another regulated environment is highly desirable.
• Commercial judgement, strong stakeholder influence and the ability to move between strategy, architecture decisions and hands-on delivery oversight.