Data, AI & Analytics
Head of Data Jobs & Careers
Looking for your next Head of Data opportunity?
HOK Consulting connects experienced Heads of Data with organisations building, modernising and leading data, analytics and artificial intelligence capabilities across permanent, contract and interim opportunities.
Whether your experience covers data strategy, engineering, analytics, governance, Snowflake, Databricks, Microsoft Fabric or cloud data platforms, explore current opportunities or upload your CV to join HOK’s technology talent network.
Current Head of Data Jobs
Explore current Head of Data opportunities available through HOK Consulting.
Can’t see the right Head of Data role?
If there are currently no suitable Head of Data vacancies listed, upload your CV and tell us what you’re looking for. Our team can contact you when a relevant permanent, contract or interim leadership opportunity becomes available.
What Does a Head of Data Do?
A Head of Data leads an organisation’s data function, setting direction for how data is collected, governed, engineered, analysed and used to support business decisions and technology strategy.
The role typically combines leadership and strategy with oversight of data engineering, analytics, architecture, governance and increasingly artificial intelligence and machine learning capability.
Heads of Data often work closely with Data Engineers, Data Scientists, Data Architects, analytics teams and senior technology stakeholders to build data capability, establish priorities and ensure investment supports measurable organisational outcomes.
Head of Data Skills & Experience
Head of Data roles require broad data leadership experience alongside a strong understanding of modern data technologies and operating models. Relevant areas commonly include:
- Data Strategy
- Data Leadership
- Data Engineering
- Data Science
- Artificial Intelligence
- Machine Learning
- Business Intelligence
- Data Analytics
- Data Architecture
- Data Governance
- Data Quality
- Snowflake
- Databricks
- Microsoft Fabric
- Azure Data Services
- AWS Data Services
- Google BigQuery
- Amazon Redshift
- Power BI
- Tableau
- Stakeholder Management
- Team Leadership
Heads of Data may come from data engineering, analytics, architecture or data science backgrounds, but at leadership level the role increasingly focuses on strategy, capability development, governance and organisational outcomes.
Strong communication, commercial awareness and decision-making skills are particularly important when translating technical data opportunities and risks into priorities that senior stakeholders can understand and support.
Typical Head of Data Responsibilities
- Defining and delivering organisation-wide data strategy
- Leading data engineering, analytics and specialist data teams
- Developing data platforms, capabilities and operating models
- Providing oversight of data architecture and technical direction
- Establishing data governance, quality and security standards
- Supporting artificial intelligence and machine learning initiatives
- Managing data transformation and modernisation programmes
- Building and developing high-performing data teams
- Prioritising investment across data platforms and technologies
- Working with business leaders to identify valuable data use cases
- Reporting data priorities, risks and progress to senior stakeholders
- Aligning data strategy with wider business and technology objectives
Responsibilities vary depending on the organisation, maturity of the data function and whether the role covers data engineering, analytics, governance, artificial intelligence or the complete enterprise data estate.
Head of Data Salary Expectations
Head of Data salaries vary significantly according to experience, location, sector, team responsibility and the scale and complexity of the organisation’s data environment.
Permanent Head of Data
Around £81,100 per year
UK average base salary
Contract Head of Data
Around £850 per day
UK Head of Data and AI leadership contract benchmark
Heads of Data working within financial services, large enterprises, high-growth technology businesses or major data and AI transformation programmes may command substantially higher salaries or contract rates.
Salary information is provided as a general UK market guide. Permanent pay uses current exact-title Head of Data salary data, while the contract figure uses a broader Head of Data and AI leadership benchmark because exact-title contractor data is limited.
Head of Data Career Progression
Head of Data is a senior leadership position that can lead into director-level and executive responsibility across data, analytics and artificial intelligence.
Typical Head of Data Career Path
Alternative Career Paths
Experienced Heads of Data may also progress into roles such as:
- Chief Data Officer
- Director of Data and Analytics
- Head of AI
- Data Transformation Director
- Technology Director
- Chief Data and Analytics Officer
The right progression depends on whether you want to lead a larger data organisation, broaden into artificial intelligence and analytics or move towards executive responsibility for enterprise data strategy.
Your Next Move
Looking for Your Next Head of Data Opportunity?
If you’re considering your next permanent appointment, contract assignment or interim leadership opportunity, send HOK Consulting your CV.
Tell us about the data functions you’ve led, the platforms and programmes you’ve worked across and the type of leadership opportunity you’re looking for.
Specialist Recruitment
Data, AI & Analytics Recruitment
Data Leadership forms part of HOK Consulting’s wider Data, AI & Analytics recruitment expertise, connecting organisations with professionals across data engineering, data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, business intelligence, analytics, architecture and technology leadership.
Hiring?
Recruiting a Head of Data?
HOK Consulting supports organisations looking for experienced data leaders across permanent, contract and interim requirements.
Whether you’re building a data function, modernising your data estate, improving governance, expanding analytics and AI capability or delivering a major transformation programme, speak to HOK about your requirements.