Deputy Director of Data Technology

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) is seeking a permanent Deputy Director of Data Technology. This is an SCS1-equivalent position, where you will shape one of the UK’s most significant public data programmes — building the platforms that will power discovery, policy, and innovation for years to come. You will be joining a collaborative organisation with a unique mission to advance knowledge, improve lives, and drive growth, that values inclusion, professional growth, and impact at scale. UKRI is investing in the future of research and innovation — and data is at the heart of it. We are building a modern, cloud-native, AI-ready data ecosystem to unlock insights, power discovery, and strengthen UK competitiveness. We invest £10 billion of public funding each year to support world-class research and innovation. From medicines and climate research to advanced engineering and AI, our investments help advance knowledge, improve lives and drive growth. These projects are undertaken across Universities, companies and other research organisations (including UKRI’s own institutes and centres) in the UK and internationally. UKRI offers flexible working arrangements, strong commitment to professional development, and an exciting chance to collaborate with talented colleagues across multiple research councils solving challenging problems at the intersection of data, governance, and organisational transformation. As Deputy Director of Data Technology, you will provide the technical leadership that turns UKRI’s data strategy into reality. Acting as our enterprise authority for data technology, you’ll set the standards, platforms and architecture that enable UKRI to operate as a single data-driven organisation. This role sits at the centre of UKRI’s ambitions for modern data platforms, AI-enabled insight and trusted research intelligence. Working closely with the Chief Data Officer, you’ll shape one of the UK’s most important public-sector data ecosystems. You’ll combine deep technical expertise with the ability to influence at scale, driving adoption across councils, programmes and functions without direct line authority.

Responsibilities

Shape one of the UK’s most significant public data programmes; Build the platforms that will power discovery, policy, and innovation; Provide technical leadership that turns UKRI’s data strategy into reality; Act as enterprise authority for data technology, setting standards, platforms and architecture; Work closely with the Chief Data Officer to shape UKRI’s public-sector data ecosystem; Combine deep technical expertise with ability to influence at scale, driving adoption across councils, programmes and functions without direct line authority

Requirements

Leadership of large-scale data platforms (cloud-native, enterprise environments); Experience in complex, federated organisations; Strong expertise across: Data architecture, Data engineering, Platform delivery; Track record of delivering transformation, not just strategy; Experience building and leading high-performing technical teams; Ability to influence and align senior stakeholders without direct control; Familiarity with modern data ecosystems, including: Lakehouse platforms, streaming, orchestration APIs and data integration patterns, DevSecOps and platform engineering; Data governance, privacy, and security-by-design; Leadership qualities that combine a systems mindset, the ability to operate at scale, strong judgement, a firm but collaborative style – you will have a focus on outcomes and impact, not just technical delivery

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements; Strong commitment to professional development; Eligibility for a defined benefit pension scheme (employer contribution of 28.97%); 30 days annual leave (+ 10.5 public and privilege days)