Location
London Borough of Hackney

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£86,121 per annum

About the Role
Hackney Council is seeking an exceptional data leader to transform how data, intelligence and performance information shape decisions, improve public services and deliver better outcomes for residents. This is a significant corporate leadership role offering the opportunity to establish an integrated Data and Intelligence function and influence strategy, investment, performance and transformation across the entire Council.

You will lead the development and delivery of Hackney’s enterprise data and intelligence strategy. Your portfolio will include data platforms and management, analytics and insight, data engineering and migration, data architecture, data quality and standards, corporate performance, data ethics, and the responsible application of artificial intelligence and automation.

This role is not simply technical; it requires a strategic and delivery-focused leader who can turn complex information into clear organisational intelligence, challenge assumptions, and ensure insight leads to action. You will collaborate with senior leaders, elected Members and services to identify key questions and ensure access to timely, trusted and accessible evidence about resident needs, inequalities, demand, performance, cost and risk.

A key priority is to develop a coherent corporate performance framework connecting the Council’s ambitions with meaningful measures, clear accountability and timely intervention. You will help the organisation move beyond reporting activity towards understanding outcomes, causes, risks and actions required to improve performance.

You will also lead the responsible use of AI, automation and advanced analytics, identifying opportunities to improve services and efficiency while ensuring governance, transparency, human oversight and protection against bias and unintended consequences.

We seek a visible, inclusive and influential leader who can unite multidisciplinary professional teams and strengthen the Council-wide data and analytics community. You will build capability, improve data literacy and foster a culture of curiosity, professional challenge and evidence-based decision-making.

Operating in a complex and politically accountable environment, you will build trusted relationships with senior officers, elected Members, partners, communities, suppliers and professional networks. You must communicate complex technical and analytical issues clearly, navigate competing priorities and secure commitment to significant organisational change.

This role offers the chance to shape a critical corporate function and ensure trusted evidence is central to how Hackney understands its communities, improves performance and makes decisions.

If you combine strategic vision with professional credibility, strong people leadership and a relentless focus on turning insight into measurable action, we would like to hear from you.

Success in the First 12 Months
- Establish a clear data and intelligence strategy and target operating model aligned with the Council’s wider SES review and organisational priorities.
- Strengthen data governance, ownership, quality and accessibility to enable trusted and responsible use of data.
- Improve availability of timely, accessible and actionable intelligence to support strategic decision-making, service improvement and better outcomes.
- Expand use of analytics, automation and insight to identify inequalities, understand demand, measure impact and uncover efficiency opportunities.

Our Values
We are committed to being a place for everyone where residents and staff can be proud. We seek individuals who embody our “PROUD” values: Purpose and Respect through active inclusion, kindness and open dialogue; Ownership through proactive collaboration and accountability; and Unity and Diversity by working as one Council to break down silos and champion anti-racist behaviour.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on all grounds including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and social class. We welcome applications from disabled people and those interested in flexible working.

Experience
- Significant senior leadership experience in a large, complex and politically sensitive organisation.
- Proven record of developing and implementing enterprise data, insight or performance strategies.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams across data engineering, analytics, insight, architecture or performance.
- Demonstrated use of data and intelligence to influence major decisions and deliver measurable improvements.
- Experience designing effective corporate performance frameworks and benefits-realisation arrangements.
- Successful leadership of complex data platforms, products, migrations or transformation programmes.
- Ability to engage and influence elected Members, senior leaders, services and external stakeholders.
- Strong understanding of data governance, ethics, quality, privacy, security and responsible innovation.
- Evidence of using data, AI or automation to improve productivity, reduce costs or deliver greater public value.
- Commitment to developing people, professional capability and inclusive, high-performing teams.

About You
You are a visible, inclusive and influential leader who can bring together multidisciplinary teams and strengthen the Council-wide data and analytics community. You communicate complex technical and analytical issues clearly, navigate competing priorities and secure commitment to significant organisational change. You foster a culture of curiosity, professional challenge and evidence-based decision-making.

Qualifications
Not explicitly stated, but professional credibility and relevant senior leadership experience in data and intelligence functions are essential.