Head of Data Services

Be part of the data transformation movement at Ofgem and help us unlock the power of data. We’re looking for a Head of Data Services to join us and lead the charge in building a stronger, smarter data culture in the Markets Directorate that helps protect energy consumers and improve outcomes across the energy retail market.

Ofgem is Great Britain’s independent energy regulator. We’re at the forefront of change across the energy sector, driving toward Net Zero whilst protecting energy consumers – especially vulnerable people.

We’re offering a permanent opportunity with the flexibility to work part-time, job-share or full-time, making it a great option for experienced professionals seeking an impactful leadership role with adaptable working arrangements. This brand-new role is your chance to help shape how we organise, access and share data, creating a more cohesive, consistent and collaborative approach across the Markets directorate.

You’ll play a pivotal role in helping colleagues across Ofgem to find and use data more effectively, innovating how we manage information. By establishing best practices, you will enable us to better support consumers and deliver meaningful improvements across the way Markets engages with the energy system.

We’re looking for someone with a sharp analytical mindset, a talent for bringing clarity to complexity, and a passion for connecting people with the tools and structures they need to make smarter, data-informed conclusions. You’ll be comfortable leading multi-disciplinary teams and influencing senior stakeholders, bringing strong direction, inclusive values and a collaborative mindset.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a new programme from the ground up, with the freedom to shape the direction and approach to data across the Markets Directorate. You’ll benefit from a supportive environment, hybrid working, and a culture that champions innovation, development and cross-organisational collaboration.

We have a critical purpose to improve how data is defined, shared and understood within the energy sector, and this role will be instrumental in embedding lasting change. From building a shared data catalogue to strengthening the way we manage information assets, you’ll be at the forefront of a transformation that supports better outcomes for the sector and consumers alike

Job description

Purpose

• Lead multi-disciplinary team area in the context of operating in a Professions and Flexible Resourcing model.
• Plan, oversee and deliver a set of work deliverables on time and to a high standard through effective management and support of multidisciplinary team members.
• Provide inclusive team leadership by supporting and developing team members and demonstrating commitment to Ofgem values.
• Work across Markets to provide metadata and information management support for data users and producers.
• Work as part of the Markets DMO data governance team to embed improve data findability and understanding.

Key Responsibilities

Delivery of set of team deliverables, and managing and co-ordinating successful outcomes across team members and collaborating teams:

• Sets clear and transparent work objectives, milestones and success metrics at team and individual level to oversee and co-ordinate successful team outcomes.
• Collaborates closely with other teams to manage interdependencies, risks and resourcing to support portfolio delivery.
• Demonstrates effective diversity and inclusive team management within their team and the wider organisation.
• Lead data definition discussions & help facilitate data documentation creation.
• Advise, lead, and collaborate with all data, owners, stewards, and data stakeholders.
• Support the establishment and implementation of the Markets data governance strategy & implementation roadmap.

Key Outputs and Deliverables

• A data catalogue and business glossary that supports data sharing across markets.
• Visible measures of metadata creation and usage.
• A comprehensive set of up to date supporting artefacts i.e. documentation, ontologies, taxonomies, classifications.
• User-friendly representation of current Markets data model with appropriate connections to relevant artefacts.
• Raised awareness of Markets’ data definition issues and standards governance framework.
• Coordinated data governance, data modelling, and information management activities to support Markets data use.

Setting-up and leading high-performing team based on effective resource management, ongoing support and professional development:

• Manages effective and inclusive team resourcing and staff onboarding through close engagement with relevant Deputy Director, Workstream Managers, Heads of Professions, PDLs and HR Staffers to ensure best talent match to work needs.
• Helps team members deliver by building supportive, inclusive team environment based on trust-based relationships, transparency and inclusivity.
• Takes ownership for own and team members’ professional development by:
• Providing ongoing coaching and identification of development opportunities in regular performance conversations.
• Supporting team members’ performance evaluation through honest, fair, high quality 360-degree feedback to PDLs.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Demonstrable experience of organising information and other resources so they can be searched for effectively. This includes cataloguing and classification, as well as the development and use of thesauri, taxonomies, and subject indexing. (Lead criteria)
• Dynamic leadership and management skills and ability to set clear direction and achieve a strong culture of continuous improvement.
• Strong collaboration skills and a track record of building relationships with diverse colleagues at all levels to shape direction and agree priorities.
• Strong ability to gather information, assess potential issues, resolve discrepancies, make appropriate recommendations and decisions, and escalate in a timely manner.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Working knowledge of at least one common metadata standard.

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge of user experience design (usability) for data entry and reporting.
• Experience building and managing ontologies and exposure to metadata/taxonomy tool/system.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Changing and Improving
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Servic

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Please refer to the Candidate Pack and Role Profile attached for full details.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £61,466, OFGEM contributes £17,806 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Ofgem can offer you a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes; 30 days annual leave after 2 years; Excellent training and development opportunities; The opportunity to join the generous Civil Service pension which also includes a valuable range of benefits; hybrid working (currently 1 day a week in the office but this is kept under review), flexible working hours and family friendly policies. Plus lots of other benefits including clean and bright offices based centrally, engaged networks and teams and an opportunity to contribute to our ambitious and important targets of establishing a Net Zero energy system by 2050. This exciting blend of professional challenge and personal reward identifies career opportunities at Ofgem as something to get excited about.

Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 14th July 2025